Aspiring Psychologist – Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - Learning Support Assistant – Maidenhead

Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £108 per day | Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–3:30pm | Contract: Full-time, Term Time Only

Are you a Psychology graduate or aspiring Speech & Language Therapist looking for hands-on experience with non-verbal communication and speech language support? Do you want to help young people with communication barriers, selective mutism, autism, or trauma-related speech hesitancy find their voice—without relying on words alone?

We are recruiting Learning Support Assistants for a specialist provision in Maidenhead, supporting students with SEMH needs, emotionally based school avoidance, and complex communication challenges. This role is heavily focused on non-verbal resources and speech language development—using PECS, Makaton, visual aids, emotion cards, sensory tools, and assistive communication technology to help students express themselves and engage with learning.

Aspiring Psychologist – Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA – Maidenhead – Education & Training
Aspiring Psychologist – Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA – Maidenhead

The Learning Support Assistant Role

You will support students who struggle with:

• Anxiety, depression, and school avoidance

• Selective mutism and speech hesitancy

• Autism and social communication difficulties

• Trauma impacting verbal expression

Your focus will be on:

• Delivering non-verbal communication interventions (PECS, Makaton, visual timetables, now/next boards)

• Supporting speech and language development through targeted activities and assistive tech

• Building trust and emotional safety to reduce communication anxiety

• Helping students regulate emotions and re-engage with education

• Collaborating with Maidenhead community services, speech therapists, and mental health teams

Why This Role is Ideal For:

• Aspiring Speech & Language Therapists

• Future Educational or Clinical Psychologists

• Those pursuing Mental Health, Youth Justice, or Safeguarding careers

You will gain practical experience in:

• Non-verbal communication strategies (visual prompts, gesture, sensory regulation)

• Supporting speech delay, selective mutism, and autism-related communication needs

• Trauma-informed, person-centred approaches

• Building rapport with hard-to-reach young people

• Multi-agency working within the Maidenhead area

What You'll Be Doing:

• 1:1 and small-group support using non-verbal resources

• Implementing visual schedules, emotion cards, and communication boards

• Using assistive technology and apps to support expressive language

• Encouraging emotional regulation and confidence in communication

• Recording progress and feeding back to speech therapists and SENCOs

• Engaging students in community-based activities around Maidenhead to build real-world communication skills

What We're Looking For:

• Psychology graduate or experience in care/youth work/SEND support

• Genuine interest in non-verbal communication and speech language development

• Patient, empathetic, and resilient

• Willingness to learn PECS, Makaton, and sensory regulation (training provided)

• Commitment to supporting the Maidenhead community

No school experience required—attitude and passion matter most.

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding. All applicants undergo thorough compliance checks in line with DfE and APSCo guidelines. Full CPD training on non-verbal tools and speech language support is provided.

Apply Now for the September 2026 intake in Maidenhead.

Aspiring Psychologist – Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA – Maidenhead – Education & Training
Aspiring Psychologist – Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA – Maidenhead