Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead

Title: Build Your OT Foundation: Support Non-Verbal & Anxious Learners

Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Location: Maidenhead | Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £108 per day | Hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (Term Time Only)

-Trial days for September 3rd

Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead

Aspiring Occupational Therapist? This is your clinical classroom.

If you are a Psychology graduate or an aspiring OT looking for more than just classroom experience, this role offers something unique. You will be working with children who cannot always articulate their feelings with words—but who communicate volumes through their behavior, sensory responses, and physical presentation.

Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead

Why this role is the perfect launchpad for Occupational Therapy:

• Learn to “Read” the Unspoken: Many of the students we support have experienced trauma or have SEMH needs that leave them emotionally dysregulated or selectively mute. You will learn to interpret non-verbal cues, physical tension, and avoidance behaviors—skills that are essential when working with clients who cannot verbally express their pain or anxiety.
• Sensory & Emotional Regulation in Action: This isn’t just about “managing behavior.” You will be on the front line of helping students navigate sensory overload, anxiety, and school avoidance. You will see firsthand how environmental factors, routine, and physical activity impact a young person’s nervous system—directly applying the principles of sensory integration and co-regulation that OTs use daily.
• From “Challenging” to “Communicative”: You will learn to view a child’s distress not as defiance, but as a form of communication. This reframe is at the heart of client-centered OT. You will gain real-world experience in building the therapeutic rapport needed to help a child transition from a state of “survival” to a state of “engagement.”
• A Holistic View of the Child: OTs look at the whole person—their environment, their routines, and their meaningful occupations (play, education, social interaction). In this role, you will be working to rebuild a child’s confidence in the school environment, supporting them with life skills, independence, and the resilience they need to participate fully in their “occupation” as a student.

About the Role:

You will be working in a specialist provision in Maidenhead, supporting young people who have been unable to access mainstream education due to:

• Anxiety, depression, and school avoidance (EBSA)
• Complex trauma and social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Your day-to-day will involve building consistent, trusting relationships, helping students regulate their emotions, and gradually re-engaging them with learning in a safe, nurturing environment.

Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead

This opportunity is ideal for those aspiring to become:

• Occupational Therapists
• Educational or Clinical Psychologists
• Mental Health Practitioners
• Social Workers

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Providing 1:1 and small group support with a focus on emotional safety.
• Helping students manage anxiety and identify their emotional triggers.
• Using a trauma-informed approach to support students who are “hard to reach.”
• Collaborating with OTs, therapists, and external professionals to implement personalized strategies.
• Encouraging independence, resilience, and the practical life skills that build self-esteem.

What We’re Looking For:

• A genuine interest in mental health and occupational therapy.
• An empathetic, patient, and emotionally intelligent individual.
• Strong communication skills—specifically the ability to listen to what is not being said.
• Experience in care, youth work, or a relevant degree (Psychology, Health & Social Care) is beneficial but not essential. Your attitude and willingness to learn are paramount.

Start Dates: September 2026. Early application is recommended.

Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We are proudly APSCo Compliance+ accredited. All applicants will be subject to thorough compliance checks.

Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead