Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough
Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough | Education & Training | SEMH & PDA Focus
Full-time | Term-Time | From £101.40/day | Start: January 2026
Kickstart your journey into psychology, mental health, and therapeutic education with a highly rewarding role supporting pupils with Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs and Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). This specialist opportunity in a forward-thinking Slough school is ideal for graduates who want meaningful experience before progressing into Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, CAMHS, therapy, social work, youth justice, or wider mental health pathways.
About the Role
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, term time only
As a Learning Support Assistant, you will play a vital role in helping pupils aged 7–16 who experience high anxiety, demand avoidance, emotional regulation difficulties, and complex social communication needs. You will work closely with pastoral leads, behaviour specialists, therapists, and psychologists to implement consistent, trauma-informed, and child-centred strategies.
Why This Role Is Transformational for Aspiring Psychologists
1. Work 1:1 and in small groups with pupils with SEMH profiles, including PDA
2. Gain real experience with relational, low-demand, and collaborative approaches
3. Learn to de-escalate, co-regulate, and build emotional safety with highly anxious pupils
4. Develop a deep understanding of demand avoidance, attachment, trauma, and self-regulation
5. Collaborate with mental health professionals, including EPs, SALTs, counsellors, and behaviour practitioners
6. Build evidence-based practice skills valuable for AP applications and psychology doctoral pathways
You’ll Love This If You Are:
7. A Psychology graduate or have a related degree in mental health, education, or social sciences
8. Patient, reflective, and committed to understanding complex behaviour through a therapeutic lens
9. Interested in neurodiversity, trauma, anxiety presentations, SEMH, and PDA
10. Keen to learn from multidisciplinary teams and adopt low-arousal, child-led approaches
11. Looking for real-world experience that strengthens your future career in mental health
What You’ll Gain
12. A full-time paid role offering hands-on involvement in SEMH and PDA support
13. Firsthand experience applying trauma-informed, relational, and co-regulation strategies
14. Valuable CPD and professional development opportunities
15. Daily insights into child psychology, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing
16. A strong foundation for applications to Assistant Psychologist roles, clinical training routes, or therapeutic careers
About the School
The school provides a nurturing, emotionally supportive environment for children who struggle in traditional education due to anxiety, demand avoidance, and SEMH challenges. Staff prioritise relationships, safety, predictability, and pupil-led approaches over rigid academic expectations. Every day, you’ll help pupils feel understood, reduce stress around demands, and build confidence in a way that aligns with PDA-friendly practice.
Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough – Education & Training – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough SEMH & PDA Focus
Key Details
17. Location: Slough
18. Start Date: January 2026
19. Salary: From £101.40 per day (paid weekly)
20. Contract: Full-time, term time only
21. Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Apply Now
Send your CV and a short statement explaining why you want to support pupils with SEMH and PDA, and how this role aligns with your future in psychology or mental health.
Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough – Education & Training – Aspiring Clinical Psychologist – Learning Support Assistant Slough SEMH & PDA Focus