Description
📍 Location: Kingston Upon Thames, London
💼 Contract: Full-time, term-time only
🕓 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–4:00pm
📅 Start Date: ASAP
💰 Pay: £104 per day
❓ Are you passionate about understanding and supporting young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing?
Do you want hands-on experience in SEMH settings while exploring a career as a Clinical or Educational Psychologist?
🏫 About the School
An independent SEN school in Kingston Upton Thames are seeking a motivated Pastoral & Learning Support Assistant / Aspiring Clinical Psychologist to join their dedicated team.
The school supports students aged 3 – 19 with social, emotional and mental health needs and associated challenging behaviours. Some of the needs you will be supporting are:
The main needs at the school include:
Severe and complex speech and language difficulties
Pupils may struggle with expressive language, understanding spoken language, speech sound production, and social communication (pragmatics).
Autism-related needs
Many pupils require support with social interaction, flexibility of thinking, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and understanding social cues.
Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)
Anxiety, low self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties managing change are common, often linked to communication barriers.
Learning differences linked to communication needs
While many pupils have average or above-average cognitive ability, their language needs significantly impact access to the curriculum, literacy, and academic progress.
Sensory processing differences
Pupils may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to noise, light, touch, or movement and benefit from carefully structured, low-arousal environments.
Executive functioning and independence needs
Support is often required with organisation, attention, planning, transitions, and developing independence skills.Overall, pupils benefit from a highly specialist, therapy-led approach, integrating education with speech and language therapy, strong pastoral support, predictable routines, and personalised strategies that enable them to communicate effectively, access learning, and develop socially and emotionally.
This is an excellent opportunity for Psychology or Criminology graduates to gain practical experience in restorative, trauma-informed approaches, and to develop skills essential for a future career in clinical psychology, educational psychology, or therapeutic roles.
👤 Person Specification
Passionate about supporting young people with SEMH needs.
Excellent interpersonal skills; able to build strong, supportive relationships.
Calm, empathetic, resilient, and able to work in challenging situations.
Motivated, professional, and enthusiastic to learn.
No previous experience required, full training and CPD provided.
🌟 What We Offer
Hands-on experience with vulnerable, disengaged students.
Opportunities to explore careers in clinical psychology, educational psychology, therapy, or SEN support.
A supportive, small-school environment where you can make a real difference every day.
📩 How to Apply
If you are passionate about supporting disengaged young people and helping them see the value of education, we’d love to hear from you.
👉 Apply now or contact Charlie Hayes on (phone number removed) for more information.
🗓️ You must have the right to work in the UK