Aspiring Psychologist - Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA - Maidenhead

AMA Admin; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,500; Full time

Job summary

AMA Admin in Maidenhead is seeking a Learning Support Assistant with a psychology background to support students with SEMH and complex communication challenges. The role focuses on non-verbal resources and speech language development using PECS, Makaton, and visual aids.

You will work 1:1 and in small groups, collaborating with speech therapists and mental health teams, delivering targeted interventions, building emotional safety, and helping students engage with learning during term-time.

Qualifications

• Psychology graduate or aspiring Speech & Language Therapist preferred.
• Experience with non-verbal communication approaches is advantageous.
• Interest in helping students with SEMH and communication barriers.
• Able to support speech & language development through targeted activities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver non-verbal communication interventions (PECS, Makaton, visual timetables).
• Support speech and language development through targeted activities and assistive tech.
• Build trust and emotional safety to reduce communication anxiety.
• Help students regulate emotions and re-engage with learning.
• Collaborate with Maidenhead community services, speech therapists, and mental health teams.

Skills

Non-verbal communication

Speech language support

Emotion regulation

Autism awareness

Engagement strategies

Education

Psychology degree

Tools

PECS

Makaton

Job description

Aspiring Psychologist - Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - Learning Support Assistant - Maidenhead

Location: Maidenhead, Berkshire
Start Date: September 2026
Pay: £108 per day | Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm | Contract: Full-time, Term Time Only

Are you a Psychology graduate or aspiring Speech & Language Therapist looking for hands-on experience with non-verbal communication and speech language support? Do you want to help young people with communication barriers, selective mutism, autism, or trauma-related speech hesitancy find their voice—without relying on words alone?

We are recruiting Learning Support Assistants for a specialist provision in Maidenhead, supporting students with SEMH needs, emotionally based school avoidance, and complex communication challenges. This role is heavily focused on non-verbal resources and speech language development—using PECS, Makaton, visual aids, emotion cards, sensory tools, and assistive communication technology to help students express themselves and engage with learning.

Aspiring Psychologist - Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA - Maidenhead - Education & Training
Aspiring Psychologist - Non-Verbal & Speech Language Support - LSA - Maidenhead

The Learning Support Assistant Role

You will support students who struggle with:

• Anxiety, depression, and school avoidance

• Selective mutism and speech hesitancy

• Autism and social communication difficulties

• Trauma impacting verbal expression

Your focus will be on:

• Delivering non-verbal communication interventions (PECS, Makaton, visual timetables, now/next boards)

• Supporting speech and language development through targeted activities and assistive tech

• Building trust and emotional safety to reduce communication anxiety

• Helping students regulate emotions and re-engage with education

• Collaborating with Maidenhead community services, speech therapists, and mental health teams

Why This Role is Ideal For:

• Aspiring Speech & Language Therapists

• Future Educational or Clinical Psychologists

• Those pursuing Mental Health, Youth Justice, or Safeguarding careers

You will gain practical experience in:

• Non-verbal communication strategies (visual prompts, gesture, sensory regulation)

• Supporting speech delay, selective mutism, and autism-related communication needs

• Trauma-informed, person-centred approaches

• Building rapport with hard-to-reach young people

• Multi-agency working within the Maidenhead area

What You'll Be Doing:

• 1:1 and small-group support using non-verbal resources

• Implementin