Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Location: Maidenhead
Start Date: Immediate OR 6th January 2025
Contract: Full-time, Term-Time Only
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:45pm
Pay: £101.40 per day
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and training – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Milk Education is working in partnership with a specialist SEMH and trauma-informed school in Maidenhead to recruit an Aspiring Youth Justice Officer. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about supporting young people who have experienced trauma, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), school refusal/avoidance, or significant emotional and behavioural challenges.
You will gain invaluable frontline experience with pupils who require consistent, trusted adults to help them regulate emotions, rebuild trust, and engage successfully in education. This role is an excellent progression route into careers such as Youth Justice, Social Work, Behaviour Intervention, Youth Work, CAMHS, Policing, or Community Support Services.
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and training – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
About the LSA Role
You will support young learners aged 5–16 with SEMH needs, Autism, trauma-related barriers to learning, and school avoidance/refusal. Many pupils display heightened anxiety or behavioural responses, including those with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) — a profile associated with Autism where individuals experience significant, anxiety-driven resistance to everyday demands.
This means pupils may avoid expectations or refuse learning not out of defiance, but due to anxiety and fear of losing control.
You will learn how to:
1. Use low-demand, collaborative approaches to reduce pressure and anxiety
2. Build trust through consistency, empathy, and relational practice
3. Increase engagement through negotiation, choice, and co-regulation
These approaches are foundational in Youth Justice and Social Care roles, where behaviour is understood as communication of need.
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and training – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
You will be responsible for:
4. Supporting pupils during moments of emotional dysregulation or distress
5. Re-engaging pupils who refuse or avoid learning, using PDA-informed strategies
6. Providing calm, predictable responses and emotional reassurance
7. Modelling emotional regulation and pro-social behaviours
8. Advocating for pupils whose needs may be misunderstood or masked by behaviour
Key Responsibilities
9. Deliver personalised, relationship-based support to pupils with SEMH, Autism, PDA, trauma backgrounds, and school-refusing behaviours
10. Build safe and consistent relationships with pupils who struggle to trust adults
11. Use trauma-informed, restorative, and de-escalation strategies
12. Implement regulation strategies and behaviour plans created by SENCOs and therapists
13. Encourage resilience, independence, and problem-solving
14. Work collaboratively with therapists, SENCOs, and external professionals
15. Record observations and progress, communicating with staff and families
16. Contribute to a structured and nurturing, low-arousal learning environment
Ideal Candidate
17. Degree (or currently studying) in Criminology, Psychology, Youth Work, Sociology, Social Care, or a related field is desirable but not essential
18. Experience supporting young people, particularly those displaying disengagement or challenging behaviour
19. Resilient, calm, and emotionally regulated — able to keep professional boundaries while showing empathy
20. Strong communication, active listening, and problem-solving skills
21. Enhanced DBS or willingness to apply
Why This Role Will Boost Your Career
This role provides experience and training directly transferable to Youth Justice, Social Care, Family Intervention, CAMHS, and safeguarding roles. You will develop:
22. Trauma-informed practice
23. PDA-aware behaviour approaches
24. Restorative practice and de-escalation strategies
25. Advocacy skills for vulnerable young people
26. Understanding of safeguarding and early intervention pathways
You will learn how to interpret behaviour through the lens of unmet need, risk, and emotional distress — essential skills for Youth Justice and Social Care careers.
Benefits to You
27. Excellent daily pay rate
28. Fast-track registration and compliance
29. Exclusive partnerships with schools and trusts
30. 5-star rated agency (3,000+ reviews on Google & Facebook)
31. Access to over 1000 accredited CPD courses through Milk Academy
32. Free Perks Portal (similar to Blue Light discounts)
33. Free wellbeing resources and PSHE lesson plans
34. First-day preparation pack
35. 24/7 consultant support
36. Unbottled initiative — lived-experience mental health speakers
37. The UK’s only eco-friendly education supply agency
How to Apply
If you are passionate about advocating for young people, supporting learners with Autism and PDA, and gaining real experience for a future in Youth Justice or Social Care, apply today.
Immediate and January 6th 2025 start dates available.
Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and training – Aspiring Youth Justice Officer – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead