ASPIRING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST – LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANT West Drayton

Hillingdon | SEN School Experience | Education & Training

THE ESSENTIALS

Pay £108 per day
Start Dates September 7th and 14th, 2026
Hours Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:45 PM (Term Time Only)
Location Hillingdon (excellent transport links + on-site parking)
Contract Term Time Only – Long-term role

Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon

ASPIRING SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST? THIS IS YOUR CLINICAL CLASSROOM.

If you are a Linguistics, Psychology, or Speech and Language Therapy graduate looking to build real-world experience before your MSc or NHS placement, this role offers something unique.

You will be working with children who have speech and language challenges, global developmental delay, profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), and complex communication needs—gaining hands-on exposure to the very challenges you will treat as a qualified speech and language therapist.

This specialist provision in Hillingdon supports children and young people with non-verbal communication needs, SLCN, and PMLD, offering you an exceptional opportunity to develop your clinical skills in a real-world educational setting.

Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon – Education and Training - Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon

WHY THIS ROLE IS THE PERFECT LAUNCHPAD FOR SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Understand Communication in All Its Forms
Many of the students we support are non-verbal or have significant speech and language delays. You will learn to recognise and interpret alternative forms of communication—from gestures and facial expressions to behaviour and vocalisations—building the foundational skills every SLT needs to assess and support children with complex needs.

Support the Development of Functional Communication
You will work alongside speech and language therapists to implement communication programmes, using tools such as Makaton, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. This hands-on experience gives you a significant advantage when you begin your SLT placements.

Understand the Link Between Communication and Behaviour
Many of the students we support experience frustration, anxiety, and challenging behaviour because they cannot express their needs, wants, or emotions verbally. You will learn how to identify communication breakdowns and support children to find alternative ways to make themselves understood—a crucial skill for any speech and language therapist.

Develop Your Clinical Observation Skills
You will learn to assess a child's receptive and expressive language, attention and listening skills, and social communication abilities in real-world settings. You will see how environmental factors, sensory needs, and physical positioning impact a child's ability to communicate effectively.

Build Therapeutic Rapport with Non-Verbal Children
Communication is about more than words. You will learn to build trust through consistency, active listening, and patience—skills that are essential when working with children who have speech and language challenges or cognitive impairments.

Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon – Education and Training - Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon

ABOUT THE ROLE

This specialist provision in Hillingdon supports young people with:

• Speech and language difficulties (SLCN)
• Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)
• Non-verbal communication needs
• Global developmental delay
• Physical disabilities and mobility challenges
• Complex health needs and sensory processing differences
• Social communication difficulties

Your role will focus on supporting students to access their education, building their communication confidence, and helping them develop the functional language and social skills they need for daily life. You will work closely with non-verbal children, using a range of communication tools and strategies to help them express themselves and engage with their learning.

THIS OPPORTUNITY IS IDEAL FOR THOSE ASPIRING TO BECOME:

• Speech and Language Therapists (Paediatric or Dysphagia specialisms)
• Occupational Therapists
• Educational or Clinical Psychologists
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Professionals
• Mental Health Practitioners

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Supporting pupils 1:1 and in small groups with communication activities
• Implementing communication programmes under the guidance of qualified SLTs
• Using Makaton, PECS, and AAC devices to support non-verbal students
• Helping students build vocabulary, sentence structure, and social communication skills
• Encouraging engagement in speech and language-led programmes and daily routines
• Working closely with speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and SEN staff
• Promoting independence, confidence, and communication wellbeing
• Supporting students with sensory and physical needs, including those with PMLD
• Assisting with personal care where required, in line with the needs of students with complex disabilities

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Are a graduate in Speech and Language Therapy, Linguistics, Psychology, Health Sciences, or a related field—or have relevant experience in care, support work, or communication support
• Have a genuine interest in paediatric speech and language therapy, communication disorders, non-verbal communication, and neurorehabilitation
• Are patient, empathetic, and adaptable
• Have strong observation and active listening skills
• Understand how communication challenges impact learning, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing
• Are comfortable working with children with PMLD, physical disabilities, and complex health needs

No school-based experience is required — your attitude, empathy, and willingness to learn are what matter most.

Full training in Makaton, PECS, safeguarding, and communication support will be provided.

BENEFITS FOR YOU

• Competitive daily pay – £108 per day
• Fast-track registration and compliance
• Flexible working opportunities
• 5-star rated agency with over 3,000 reviews
• Free access to Milk Academy with 1,000+ discounted, accredited CPD courses
• FREE wellbeing resources, PSHE materials, and school preparation packs
• 24/7 consultant support
• Access to Unbottled, bringing lived-experience speakers into schools
• Work with the UK's only eco-friendly education supply agency
• A nationwide network of schools and trusts

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Youth and Community, or Social Science graduates
• Aspiring Speech and Language Therapists, Forensic Psychologists, Youth Justice professionals, or Mental Health practitioners
• Individuals passionate about early intervention, communication support, and safeguarding
• Calm, resilient, and emotionally intelligent candidates
• Graduates comfortable supporting challenging behaviour and pupils with complex needs
• People motivated to make a genuine impact in the lives of children with SLCN and PMLD

SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited, meeting the highest standards in safer recruitment. All applicants will be subject to compliance checks in line with DfE, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo guidelines.

Milk Education is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. By applying, you agree to our Privacy Policy, available on our website. Milk Education is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.

Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon – Education and Training - Aspiring Speech and Language Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hillingdon