Mental Health Assistant - Psychology Graduate Opportunity (Cannock)

Are you a Psychology or Criminology graduate-or currently studying towards your degree-and looking to make a real impact on the lives of young people? Do you aspire to become an Educational Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, or mental health professional? If so, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a specialist school setting.

The Opportunity

Academics is proud to be supporting a number of specialist schools in Cannock and the surrounding areas that cater to pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism Spectrum Conditions, and behavioural challenges.

We're currently recruiting for Mental Health Assistants to work on a full-time basis, starting immediately or from September 2025. These schools offer a supportive, structured environment where vulnerable children and young people are given the tools and guidance they need to achieve their full potential-academically, socially, and emotionally.

What You'll Be Doing

Supporting children and young people aged 5-18 in a classroom or 1:1 capacity
Helping to manage behaviours using positive intervention strategies
Building trusting relationships with pupils who may have experienced trauma or social difficulties
Assisting the class teacher in delivering engaging, inclusive lessons tailored to individual needs
Working closely with the school's SENCO, therapists, and other professionals to support pupils' developmentIdeal Candidates Will Be:

Psychology or Criminology graduates (or undergraduates with flexible availability)
Passionate about child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing
Proactive, resilient, and calm under pressure
Confident in working with pupils with SEMH, Autism, and complex needs
Previous experience in schools, care, youth work, or related roles is desirable but not essential-training and guidance will be providedWhy This Role is Perfect for Psychology Graduates:

A stepping stone into careers in Educational Psychology, Mental Health, and Therapy
First-hand experience working with young people with additional needs
Valuable exposure to school-based interventions, safeguarding procedures, and multi-agency collaboration
A chance to make a meaningful difference every single dayInterviews are ongoing, and places are filling quickly for both summer and September starts. If you're motivated to help vulnerable young people and gain rewarding experience in education and mental health, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Abbie at Academics for more information