Graduate Youth Worker – Alternative Provision / Behaviour Support (Fishponds, Bristol) Location: Fishponds, Bristol Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm Pay: From £450/week Start date: ASAP, or 5th January 2026 Are you a recent graduate with a passion for supporting young people who face social, emotional, or behavioural challenges? Do you want to make a real difference in a setting designed to re-engage learners who have struggled in mainstream education? We are recruiting for a Graduate Youth Worker to join a specialist alternative provision in Fishponds that supports pupils aged 11–16 with significant behavioural, social, and emotional needs. This is an opportunity to work with young people who often display complex behaviours rooted in trauma, disengagement, and unmet needs — in a setting well-known for its relational, restorative, and therapeutic approaches. This role is ideal for graduates aspiring to careers in: Youth Work, Social Work, Mental Health, Behaviour Support, Criminology, Psychology, Counselling, or Education. About the Setting This alternative provision offers high levels of pastoral support, small class sizes, and personalised learning for pupils who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion. Many students present with challenging behaviour, emotional regulation difficulties, low self-esteem, and barriers linked to trauma or unstable home environments. The staff team works closely with external agencies, youth services, pastoral teams, and mental health professionals to create a safe, consistent space where young people can rebuild confidence and re-engage with learning. The academy offers ongoing coaching, specialist training, and the chance to work within a highly committed and experienced behaviour support team. Why This Role is Perfect for a Graduate Exploring Youth Work or Behaviour Support This placement gives you real, front-line experience with young people whose needs go far beyond the classroom. You will: Develop advanced behaviour management skills, including de-escalation and restorative approaches Build strong, trusting relationships with young people who may struggle to connect with adults Gain insight into ACE’s, attachment, trauma, adverse experiences, and contextual safeguarding Learn modern practice models used by youth offending teams, pastoral services, and mental health professionals Support young people in crisis, helping them regulate, reflect, and re-engage Strengthen your confidence working with challenging behaviour, conflict, and emotional dysregulation See real progress over time as pupils build resilience, self-esteem, and coping strategies This experience is extremely valuable for future applications to youth work, social care, mental health roles, or further training in therapeutic or behavioural careers. What You’ll Gain First-hand experience with young people facing significant behavioural and emotional challenges Specialist training in trauma-informed practice, relational approaches, and behaviour de-escalation Experience collaborating with pastoral teams, safeguarding leads, and external agencies A deeper understanding of adolescent behaviour, motivation, and risk factors A pathway into long-term AP/SEND careers or postgraduate training Opportunity for a permanent position for strong performers What You’ll Be Doing Supporting pupils one-to-one and in small groups within an alternative provision environment Building positive relationships and acting as a consistent, trusted adult Helping students regulate emotions and de-escalate challenging situations Leading or supporting therapeutic, enrichment, or engagement sessions Using restorative practices to support conflict resolution Encouraging attendance, participation, and positive behaviour choices Working closely with teachers, behaviour leads, and multi-agency teams to keep pupils safe and supported Who We’re Looking For A graduate in Youth Work, Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, or a related degree Experience supporting young people (youth clubs, mentoring, camps, schools, care, coaching etc.) Someone resilient, calm, reflective, and confident working with challenging behaviour A strong communicator who can build rapport quickly Someone adaptable, patient, and committed to helping young people succeed An enhanced DBS on the Update Service (or willingness to obtain one) Why Work with Axcis Education We specialise in SEND and alternative provision recruitment Ongoing coaching, training, and support Competitive weekly pay Opportunities to build strong experience for future social care or behavioural careers Supportive consultants who understand the complexities of AP settings If you want a career where every day is different, meaningful, and focused on helping young people make positive change, apply now for an ASAP or January start. INDBRI<br/><br />If you are interested, then please click on the apply button and contact Laura Dowson on 0117 472 2400 l Ext: 2014.<br /><br />If you are not interested in this role but know someone else who might be, <strong>don&#39;t forget that we offer &pound;50 in shopping vouchers if you refer a friend to us and we place them in the job.</strong> For more details, contact your local Axcis office.<br /><br /><em>This is a temporary position, unless stated otherwise.</em><br /><br /><em>Axcis is an equal opportunities employer and as such we do not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, race or any other equal opportunities criteria.<br /><br />The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As such, you will be required to provide an up to date DBS, or be prepared to allow Axcis to process one on your behalf, in addition to other mandatory compliance checks in line with the DfE guidelines (for details please see our website).<br /><br />If the position you are applying for involves working with children or vulnerable adults, this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.</em><br /><br /><em>Axcis Education is an employment agency offering temporary supply work for daily, short-term and long-term assignments in addition to permanent positions.<br /><br />You must be suitably qualified for the position advertised and be prepared to attend a face to face interview with Axcis to demonstrate your suitability for this role.<br /><br />Salary / Pay Rate will be dependent on your skills and experience.</em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#e0004d;"><a href="/job-page-disclaimer">View the disclaimer</a></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#e0004d;"><strong>Contact: </strong></span><strong> Laura Dowson&nbsp;</strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#e0004d;">Telephone: </span> 0117 472 2400 l Ext: 2014</strong></strong>