Aspiring Educational Psychologist / Forensic Psychologist / Occupational Therapist Maidenhead
Company: Milk Education
Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire (easily accessible by public transport; parking available)
Salary:£108 per day
Job Type: Full-time | Immediate Start | September 2026 start dates available
Are you a psychology, speech and language, or therapy graduate looking for the experience that sets your application apart?
Education and Training in Maidenhead
If you are working towards a career in Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology, or a wider SEND and mental health profession, this role offers exactly the kind of hands‑on, meaningful experience that postgraduate programmes and employers are looking for.
Milk Education is recruiting Learning Support Assistants on behalf of a specialist alternative provision in Maidenhead. This is not a typical classroom assistant role. You will be working in a small, nurturing setting specifically designed for children and young people who have been unable to access mainstream education due to anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), autism, speech and language difficulties, trauma, and complex emotional needs.
This is real‑world experience with a genuinely complex and rewarding cohort — the kind of experience you cannot get from a mainstream school placement.
About the setting
The provision works with young people who have often experienced significant barriers within traditional education. The focus is on rebuilding trust, emotional safety, communication, self‑advocacy and a love of learning through trauma‑informed, neurodiversity‑affirming and person‑centred approaches delivered by a skilled multidisciplinary team.
The setting has a particularly strong focus on supporting autistic young people and those with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN). Staff work closely with pupils to develop communication skills, emotional regulation, confidence and independence whilst ensuring every young persons voice is heard and respected.
Class sizes are small. Support is personalised. And the progress pupils make — however small it may seem — is genuinely life‑changing.
What you will be doing
* Providing 1:1 and small group support to pupils with anxiety, EBSA, autism, speech and language needs and additional learning difficulties
* Building therapeutic, trusting relationships with young people who may initially resist engagement with adults
* Supporting autistic pupils using neurodiversity‑affirming approaches that recognise and celebrate individual strengths
* Supporting non‑speaking and minimally speaking pupils through alternative methods of communication
* Working with visual timetables, communication boards, Makaton, PECS and other Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) approaches where appropriate
* Encouraging communication, independence and confidence through patience, consistency and positive relationships
* Supporting emotional regulation and helping pupils manage transitions, routines and social situations
* Implementing individual support plans in collaboration with teachers, therapists and external professionals
* Advocating for young peoples needs, preferences and communication styles within the educational environment
* Using trauma‑informed and person‑centred strategies to help pupils gradually re‑engage with learning
* Supporting pupils to develop self‑advocacy skills, confidence and independence both inside and outside the classroom
Autism Advocacy and Inclusive Practice
This setting is passionate about creating a genuinely inclusive environment for autistic young people.
As part of your role, you will:
* Champion neurodiversity and autism acceptance
* Support pupils to express their views, preferences and goals
* Advocate for reasonable adjustments that help young people thrive
* Help create sensory‑aware and communication‑friendly learning environments
* Develop a deeper understanding of autistic communication styles, sensory processing and emotional regulation
* Learn how to support non‑verbal, minimally verbal and alternative communicators effectively
* Promote independence, autonomy and self‑determination
* Work alongside families and professionals to ensure every young persons voice is represented
Why this role is ideal for your career
* Supporting children with emotionally based school avoidance and anxiety
* Understanding how trauma shapes behaviour, communication and learning
* Developing knowledge of Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
* Supporting autistic young people using evidence‑informed, neurodiversity‑affirming approaches
* Gaining exposure to AAC strategies and non‑verbal communication support
* Applying person‑centred and trauma‑informed approaches in a real educational context
* Observing and contributing to multi‑agency working alongside teachers, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists and clinical professionals
* Building skills in de‑escalation, emotional coaching and relationship‑based support
* Learning how communication differences can impact behaviour, learning and wellbeing
Many graduates use this role to strengthen their UCAS or postgraduate applications, build a reflective practice portfolio, and confirm whether Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Forensic Psychology, SEMH support or youth justice is the right direction.
Start dates — flexible to suit you
* Immediate start available
* September 2026 start date
We welcome applications from candidates ready to begin now, and equally from graduates who want to secure the role ahead of a later start date.
Who we are looking for
You do not need prior school‑based experience. What matters is your empathy, your curiosity and your commitment to supporting vulnerable young people.
We would love to hear from you if you have:
* A degree in Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy, Education, Sociology, Criminology, Occupational Therapy or a related field (or are currently studying)
* Experience in care, youth work, mentoring, support work or volunteering with vulnerable individuals
* A genuine interest in child development, mental health, autism, speech and language, SEN or therapeutic education
* A calm, reflective and patient approach
* The ability to build trust with young people who may find relationships with adults difficult
* Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset
* A passion for inclusion, advocacy and supporting young people to reach their potential
Full training and onboarding support are provided from day one.
What Milk Education offers
* £108 per day
* A dedicated consultant who specialises in SEN and specialist provision recruitment
* Support throughout your registration including DBS fast‑track
* Flexible start dates to suit your circumstances
* Genuine pathway to long‑term or permanent employment within the setting
* A consultant who will take the time to understand your career goals and match you to the right school
Apply now
Our SEN consultant is reviewing applications this weekend. If you apply before Monday, you will be among the first candidates contacted.
Apply via Indeed or send your CV directly to the Milk Education SEN team.
We welcome calls and messages over the weekend — dont wait.
Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory professional references. Right to work in the UK is required.
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