Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington
Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus)
Hayes and Harlington – Education and Training
Pay: £108 per day
Location: Hayes and Harlington
Start Date: May / June 2026
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (term time only)
Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington – Education and Training – Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington
Are you a Psychology, Sociology, or Social Science graduate passionate about understanding how non-verbal children communicate, learn, and connect with the world?
Do you want to gain specialist, hands-on experience supporting children who use alternative communication – not spoken words – to express their needs, emotions, and wants?
A specialist setting in Hayes and Harlington is seeking a dedicated graduate to work as a Learning Support Assistant, with a core focus on supporting non-verbal and minimally verbal students with Autism, sensory needs, and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This is a unique opportunity to learn how behaviour, gesture, PECS, and visual supports become the primary language of the classroom.
Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington – Education and Training – Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington
The Role: Learning Support Assistant – Specialising in Non-Verbal Communication
You will work closely with students who are non-verbal or have limited speech, helping them to access learning, build trust, and regulate their emotions. Your focus will include:
1. Non-verbal and minimally verbal communication – using PECS, Makaton, visuals, body language, and assistive technology
2. Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) – understanding sensory needs and social communication differences
3. Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) – using low-demand, indirect, and playful approaches
4. Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) – supporting children to make choices and be understood
5. Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs – recognising that all behaviour is communication
6. Sensory processing differences – creating a calm, regulated environment
7. Anxiety-driven behaviours – reducing pressure and building safety
Your Experience Will Include:
8. Working 1:1 and in small groups with non-verbal students
9. Using and reinforcing alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) methods
10. Observing and interpreting pre-verbal and non-verbal cues (facial expression, posture, vocalisations)
11. Supporting pupils with PDA through flexible, trust-based, low-demand strategies
12. Helping students regulate before they can learn
13. Building consistent, safe relationships with children who may not use spoken language
14. Collaborating with SENCOs, Speech & Language Therapists, and Occupational Therapists
Why This Role Is Invaluable for Aspiring Psychologists
You will develop:
15. Deep, practical knowledge of non-verbal communication and autism
16. Skills in behaviour as communication – moving beyond challenging behaviour to understand its root
17. Experience with PDA, sensory regulation, and anxiety-driven avoidance
18. Real-world insight into Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Speech & Language Therapy pathways
19. Confidence using low-demand, trauma-informed, and regulation-first approaches
This role is ideal if you are considering a future in Educational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Specialist SEN Teaching.
Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington
Why Join Milk Education?
Training & CPD:
20. Free CPD in Autism, Non-Verbal Communication, PECS, PDA, and Behaviour as Communication
21. Trauma-informed and sensory regulation training
Wellbeing & Support:
22. Access to a mental health and wellbeing platform
23. Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement
Benefits:
24. £108 per day
25. Fast-track registration
26. Term-time only, consistent weekly schedule
27. Access to 1,000+ CPD courses
28. Wellbeing resources and school preparation materials
29. 24/7 support
30. Work with the UK’s only eco-friendly education agency
Who We’re Looking For
31. Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, or related graduates
32. Aspiring Psychologists or future SEN specialists
33. Individuals with a genuine interest in non-verbal communication, autism, and PDA
34. Calm, patient, and highly empathetic – comfortable with silence and alternative responses
35. Able to build trust without relying on spoken language
36. Adaptable, creative, and resilient
If you want to gain specialist, career-defining experience working with non-verbal children and young people with PDA profiles, this is an exceptional opportunity to build a meaningful foundation in psychology or SEN practice.
Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington – Education and Training – Aspiring Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant (Non-Verbal Focus) – Hayes and Harlington