Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support Assistant

AMA Admin; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

AMA Admin is seeking an Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support Assistant in Stockton-on-Tees. Join a specialist education setting and support autistic children with communication differences and learning needs, within a small class team to boost independence and emotional regulation.

This role offers hands-on experience aligned with psychology pathways, enabling you to observe child development, behaviour strategies and trauma-informed approaches in real-world settings.

Qualifications

• Experience as Learning Support Assistant or similar role.
• Interest in psychology career path.
• Ability to adapt to pupils' changing emotional and behavioural needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide personalised support to help pupils develop independence, emotional regulation, communication skills.
• Support autistic learners with differing needs in a structured environment.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams including therapists and SEN specialists.
• Monitor pupils' progress and respond to changing behaviour in real time.

Skills

Empathy

Observation skills

Patience

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Tools

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

Job description

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support Assistant

Aspiring Psychologist / Educational Psychologist / Clinical Psychology Pathway - Learning Support Assistant

Are you currently working as a Learning Support Assistant and looking to take the next step towards a career in psychology?

Do you want a role where your empathy, observation skills and patience can directly impact a young person's development, behaviour and emotional wellbeing?

We are recruiting Learning Support Assistants on behalf of a specialist education setting in Stockton-on-TeesThis role offers meaningful, hands-on experience supporting children and young people with autism, communication differences, sensory processing needs and learning disabilities.

The school provides a structured environment with clear routines and support systems, while also requiring flexibility — no two days are the same, and staff must be able to adapt to pupils' changing emotional and behavioural needs in the moment. This balance of structure and fluidity is key to supporting autistic learners effectively.

You will work within a small class team, providing personalised support to help pupils develop independence, emotional regulation, communication skills and confidence.

Why this role is ideal for Aspiring Psychologists

This position provides direct exposure to key areas of psychology, including child development, behaviour analysis, emotional regulation and neurodiversity.

You will gain valuable insight into:

• How autistic children experience the world, including sensory sensitivities, communication differences and reliance on routine
• Supporting pupils who may be non-verbal or use alternative communication methods (PECS, visual supports)
• Understanding triggers behind behaviours and responding using calm, structured and consistent approaches
• Adapting in real time when situations change, behaviours elevate or pupils become dysregulated
• Applying trauma-informed and person-centred strategies in real-world settings
• Observing how anxiety, overstimulation or change impacts behaviour and learning
• Working alongside multi-disciplinary teams including therapists, SEN specialists and external professionals
• Building trust and positive relationships with children who may initially find interaction challenging

You'll experience both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with autistic children — from celebrating small breakthroughs to supporting pupils through moments of distress with patience, consistency and care.

Many candidates use this role to confirm whether a future in