Aspiring Occupational Therapist - Learning Support Assistant Haringey

Aspiring Occupational Therapist - Learning Support Assistant Haringey

SEN Teaching Assistant role in a specialist SEN school for children with low to high support Autism, PMLD, verbal and nonverbal children - can you keep these children safe, make progress, and enhance their lives as much as you can?

• Location: Haringey
• Salary: £95-£105 per day
• Start Date: Immediate - From March 3rd & 10th March 2025 starts - paid immediately
• Contract: Full-time, Monday to Friday (8:30 am - 3:35 pm), Term Time Only
• Duration: Long-term temporary with the opportunity to go permanent

Are you a Psychology, Humanities, or Creative graduate looking to explore a career in Occupational Mental Health or SEN support? Do you want hands-on experience in a specialist SEN setting, working with children who communicate and express themselves in unique, non-verbal ways?

Are you deciding on your next move post-graduation, considering an MSc? This can help qualify and disqualify your next steps. Have you completed your MSc and now it's time for more practical, pragmatic experience?

If this is your first step into fieldwork, we will discuss all your possibilities and ensure this is the right next step for you.

Milk Education is recruiting for a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) to join a specialist SEN school in Haringey, supporting children aged 4-16 with a range of autism and neurodivergent conditions. This role is ideal for aspiring Occupational Therapists, Art Therapists, and those interested in therapy-based careers, offering a rare opportunity to work with pupils who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methods such as PECS, Makaton, and visual communication boards.

Why Art Therapy?

For many autistic children, love and attainment need no words-expression happens through art, movement, and creativity. This role allows you to explore how creativity helps with emotional regulation, communication, and social engagement, especially for non-verbal and minimally verbal students.

The Role:

• Supporting children with a range of SEN, from low to high support needs.
• Assisting with PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Makaton, and alternative communication methods.
• Helping children express emotions and regulate their behaviour through art, music, and creative engagement.
• Observing Speech and Language Therapy, Music Therapy, Drama Therapy, and Art Therapy in action, with opportunities to shadow professionals.
• Supporting structured and sensory-based interventions to help pupils develop social and emotional skills.
• Assisting with personal care routines, including feeding and hygiene, depending on individual pupil needs.
• Encouraging self-expression through creative activities, allowing students to engage in learning in ways that work best for them.

Who We're Looking For:

• Graduates in Art, Creative Therapies, Psychology, or those looking to retrain in therapy-based careers.
• A genuine interest in Art Therapy, SEN education, Autism support, or Neurodiversity.
• A patient, compassionate, and adaptable individual who values communication beyond words.
• Someone with an understanding of non-verbal communication and an interest in visual, musical, or creative expression.
• A commitment to the role for at least the academic year, ensuring consistency and trust for pupils.

Why This Role?

• Gain first-hand experience in Art Therapy, Autism Support, and Neurodivergence.
• Work in a specialist SEN school where creativity is used as a tool for communication and emotional regulation.
• Develop hands-on skills in PECS, Makaton, and Augmentative Communication Apps.
• Observe and collaborate with Speech and Language