Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Location: Maidenhead
Start Date: 17th November
Contract: Full-time, Term-Time Only, £101.40, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 3:45
Milk Education is working closely with a specialist SEN school in the Maidenhead area to recruit an Aspiring Art Therapist to join their team as a Learning Support Assistant. This role is ideal for anyone considering a future career in Art Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Education-based therapy roles, Creative Therapies, or Mental Health support services.
You will be supporting children and young people with Autism, high and complex SEMH needs, PDA profiles, and learning difficulties, using creative, visual, and sensory-based approaches to help them regulate, communicate, and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Key Responsibilities
1. Provide personalised support to pupils with Autism, SEMH needs, challenging behaviour, learning differences, and PDA profiles.
2. Use creative and artistic approaches to help pupils explore emotions, build self-esteem, and express their needs when verbal communication is difficult.
3. Support pupils who are:
4. non-verbal or pre-verbal
5. sensory-seeking or highly anxious
6. highly able academically but mask their needs
7. Implement Art Therapy–informed techniques, such as:
8. sensory and tactile art activities (clay, watercolour, textured materials)
9. visual communication prompts
10. low-demand, choice-based tasks to support pupils with PDA profiles
11. Use trauma-informed, low arousal, and relational approaches to help pupils feel safe and regulated.
12. Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and external agencies to support pupils’ emotional and academic development.
13. Assist in implementing IEPs, behaviour support plans, and emotional regulation strategies.
14. Track and record observations of emotional and social progress to share with teaching staff and families.
15. Contribute to a nurturing, inclusive, and creative learning environment where pupils feel understood and valued.
Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Ideal Candidate
16. Background or interest in Art Therapy, Creative Arts, Psychology, or related field (degree desired but not essential).
17. Experience supporting children or young people with SEND is beneficial (paid or voluntary).
18. Passionate about using art as a therapeutic tool to promote emotional regulation and communication.
19. Calm, empathetic, and resilient when working with pupils who may present with high levels of anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or challenging behaviour.
20. Strong interpersonal and reflective skills.
21. Enhanced DBS on the Update Service, or willingness to apply.
Why Art Therapy in SEN?
Art Therapy is a powerful way for neurodivergent pupils to express feelings without needing to use words. In specialist settings, it supports:
22. Emotional regulation through calming, sensory activities
23. Communication for pupils who struggle verbally
24. Reduced demand avoidance by offering autonomy and creative freedom
25. Confidence building through mastery of visual and tactile media
You will gain highly relevant experience that supports progression into professional Art Therapy training and applications.
You must have the Right to Work in the UK. We are unable to provide sponsorship.
Milk Education is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Benefits to YOU:
• Excellent rates of pay!
• Speedy registration process & fast track compliance.
• Flexible days and working hours to suit your schedule.
• 5-Star rated with over 3000 reviews across Google & Facebook!
• Exclusive school & trust partnerships.
• Access to our FREE Perks Portal – exclusive access to a range of discounts (our version of the Blue Light Card!)
• Follow your progress pathway with access to 1000+ accredited, discounted CPD courses through Milk Academy!
• FREE PSHE lesson plans and resources, designed by real teachers.
• FREE Educator Wellbeing eBook and access to our wellbeing hub, featuring CPD courses and health & fitness modules!
• School Preparation Pack – be ready for your school placements!
• 24/7 support from your personal consultant, directly through their work mobile phone.
• Our Unbottled division brings lived-experience speakers into schools, covering stigmatised topics such as mental health, discrimination, and exploitation.
• We’re located across England & North Wales with a network of 9 offices!
• Join the UK’s only eco-friendly education supply agency!
Click ‘Apply Now’ or contact me for more information about this rewarding opportunity.
Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead