Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire
Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire
SEN Teaching Assistant role in a specialist SEN school for children with low to high support Autism, PMLD, verbal and non-verbal children – can you keep these children safe, help them make progress, and enhance their lives as much as you can?
1. Location: Bordon, Hampshire
2. Salary: £101.40 per day
3. Start Date: From September 2025
4. Contract: Full-time, Monday to Friday (8:30 am – 3:35 pm), Term Time Only
5. Duration: Long-term temporary with the opportunity to go permanent
Are you a Psychology, Humanities, or Creative graduate looking to explore a career in Occupational Mental Health or SEN support? Do you want hands-on experience in a specialist SEN setting, working with children who communicate and express themselves in unique, non-verbal ways?
Are you deciding on your next move post-graduation or considering an MSc? This role will help you qualify or disqualify your next steps. Have you completed your MSc and now it’s time to gain practical, real-world experience?
If this is your first step into field work, we’ll support you to ensure this is the right move for your goals.
Milk Education is recruiting for a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join a specialist Autism school in Hampshire, supporting children aged 4–16 with a range of autism and neurodivergent conditions. This role is ideal for aspiring Occupational or Art Therapists, offering a rare opportunity to work with pupils who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods such as PECS, Makaton, and visual communication boards.
Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire – Education and Training – Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire
Why Art Therapy?
For many autistic children, love and attainment need no words—expression happens through art, movement, and creativity. This role allows you to explore how creativity helps with emotional regulation, communication, and social engagement, especially for non-verbal and minimally verbal students.
The Role:
6. Supporting children with a range of Autism, from low to high support needs
7. Assisting with PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Makaton, and other AAC tools
8. Helping children express emotions and regulate behaviour through art, music, and creativity
9. Observing Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, and Art Therapy in action
10. Supporting sensory-based interventions to build social and emotional skills
11. Assisting with personal care routines, including feeding and hygiene, as needed
12. Encouraging self-expression through creative activities, helping pupils engage in learning in a way that works for them
Who We’re Looking For:
13. Graduates in Art, Creative Therapies, Psychology, or those seeking to retrain in therapy-based careers
14. Individuals with a genuine interest in Art Therapy, SEN education, Autism support, or Neurodiversity
15. Patient, compassionate, and adaptable people who value communication beyond words
16. Those with an understanding of non-verbal communication and an interest in visual, musical, or creative expression
17. A commitment to at least one academic year, ensuring consistency for pupils
Why This Role?
18. Gain direct experience in Art Therapy, Autism Support, and working with Neurodiverse learners
19. Work in a creative, specialist SEN school where expression and regulation are supported through arts-based approaches
20. Develop practical skills in AAC tools such as PECS and Makaton
21. Observe and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of therapists and SEN professionals
22. Build a strong foundation for future study in Art Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Clinical Psychology
23. Opportunity for permanent placement based on performance and fit
If you’re ready to explore how creativity can transform communication and emotional well-being, apply today!
Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire – Education and Training – Aspiring Occupational Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Hampshire