Psychology Graduates – SEND Support Assistant Roles Across Durham
Term time, Monday to Friday
Are you a Psychology graduate looking to use your knowledge in a hands-on, rewarding way? Schools across Durham are looking for dedicated SEND Support Assistants to help pupils with additional learning, social, emotional or behavioural needs. It’s a brilliant opportunity to apply what you’ve studied, gain real experience, and start shaping your career in education or mental health.
We support schools right across the Durham region, including:
• The lively and historic Durham City area
• Community-focused schools in Chester-le-Street, Birtley and surrounding towns
• Supportive mainstream and SEND provisions across Houghton-le-Spring and nearby villages
• Warm, close-knit village schools around Coxhoe, Bowburn, and Kelloe
• Inclusive primary and secondary settings in Ushaw Moor, Brandon, and Langley Park
• Busy, energetic schools in Consett
• Community-led education settings across Stanley and neighbouring areas
We’ll match you to a school where your skills and potential will make the biggest difference.
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What you’ll be doing as a SEND Support Assistant:
• Supporting pupils who need extra help with communication, confidence, emotional regulation, or learning
• Delivering 1:1 and small-group support tailored to individual needs
• Helping pupils manage transitions, routines and classroom expectations
• Encouraging independence and celebrating their progress
• Working closely with teachers, SENCOs and wider pastoral teams
You’ll be someone pupils look to for reassurance, calm, and encouragement throughout the day.
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Why Psychology graduates thrive in these roles
Your background gives you a unique understanding of behaviour, motivation, emotional wellbeing, and neurodiversity. Everything you’ve studied—from child development to cognitive processes—comes alive in the classroom.
Psychology graduates often excel because they:
• Understand how to build trust with young people
• Can stay patient, calm, and reflective in challenging moments
• Spot patterns in behaviour and recognise triggers
• Adapt their approach to meet individual needs
• Bring empathy, curiosity and a learner’s mindset
It’s a fantastic stepping stone into:
• Educational psychology
• Teaching
• Mental health support
• Counselling
• Youth work
• Speech and language pathways
• Social care settings
This experience looks brilliant on a CV and gives you real insight into the impact of behaviour and learning strategies.
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQs on the Protocol Education website for further details.
All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.
Protocol Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with the DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.
We offer FREE online safeguarding and Prevent Duty training to all our workers. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and subscribe to the DBS Update Service.
Full assistance provided. For details of our privacy policy, please see visit the Protocol Education website.