Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead
Kickstart your career in Social Work with this invaluable hands-on experience supporting autistic pupils in a specialist educational setting.
Are you a recent graduate in Psychology, Social Sciences, Criminology, Childhood Studies or a related field, and planning to pursue a career in Social Work? This is an exceptional opportunity to gain real-world experience that directly supports your ambitions—helping you build the essential knowledge, skills, and insight that Social Work training programmes and employers are looking for.
As a Graduate Learning Support Assistant in this specialist school in Maidenhead, you’ll work directly with autistic children aged 4–16, many of whom have additional communication, sensory or learning needs. This daily, frontline experience will give you a deep, practical understanding of the kind of challenges social workers support families through—equipping you with a meaningful foundation in safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and working collaboratively with external professionals.
Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education & Training
Why This Role is Perfect for Aspiring Social Workers:
Gain Real, Practical Experience:
Develop a robust understanding of the social, emotional, and educational needs of vulnerable children—ideal for future applications to Social Work MSc programmes or Local Authority training routes.
Safeguarding & Child Protection:
Work within a safe, structured, and therapeutically informed school environment where safeguarding and child-centred practice are at the heart of everything.
Multi-Agency Working:
Collaborate with and observe professionals such as Educational Psychologists, Speech & Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Family Support Workers—mirroring the integrated nature of Social Work.
Understand Complex Needs:
Learn how autism and related communication or sensory differences impact daily life—and how compassionate, consistent support can help children thrive.
Develop Key Social Work Skills:
Build your empathy, resilience, patience, and ability to advocate—core qualities in Social Work. Learn to navigate boundaries, professional curiosity, and person-centred care.
About the School:
This nurturing, specialist setting in Maidenhead supports autistic children with a range of learning and communication needs. The school prioritises consistency, structure, and therapeutic support to help every child feel safe and empowered.
Some children use spoken language, while others rely on alternative communication methods such as PECS, Makaton, AAC, or visual supports. You will play a key role in helping pupils access learning, regulate emotions, build independence, and feel seen, heard, and understood.
Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education & Training – Social Work Pathway
Key Responsibilities:
1. Support autistic pupils with a range of profiles, including complex behaviour, emotional regulation, and learning needs.
2. Facilitate communication using PECS, Makaton, AAC devices, and visual timetables.
3. Participate in creative and therapeutic sessions, including Drama, Art, and Speech & Language.
4. Promote consistent routines and support emotional wellbeing through trauma-informed, child-centred approaches.
5. Provide personal care when needed, with dignity and sensitivity.
6. Build trusting, positive relationships that help pupils gain confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
What You’ll Gain:
7. Direct experience working with children facing social, emotional, and learning challenges.
8. A clear understanding of how schools and services support vulnerable young people—mirroring the work of Social Care professionals.
9. Insight into safeguarding, child protection, and therapeutic practices relevant to Social Work.
10. Opportunities to reflect on trauma, attachment, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
11. A competitive daily rate of £101.40, paid weekly, term-time only.
Key Details:
12. Location: Maidenhead
13. Start Date: January 2026
14. Salary: £101.40 per day (paid weekly)
15. Contract: Full-time, term time only – January 2026 to July 2026
16. Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:35pm
Who We’re Looking For:
17. Graduates seeking a future in Social Work, Social Care, Youth Work, or Therapeutic Education.
18. Empathetic, reflective individuals committed to supporting vulnerable children and understanding neurodiversity.
19. Resilient, reliable team players able to commit full-time during term time (Jan 2026 – July 2026).
If you’re serious about a future in Social Work and want to build the essential experience, knowledge, and values that will set you apart—this is the ideal first step.
Apply now to begin a deeply rewarding journey that will shape your professional future—and help change lives.
Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead – Education and Training – Aspiring Social Worker – Graduate Learning Support Assistant Maidenhead