At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students with mental health needs and build meaningful relationships.
- Company: Dynamic educational provision in Milton Keynes focused on social and emotional wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive weekly salary, hands-on experience, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Engage with diverse students aged 5-19 in a therapeutic educational setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience in mental health.
- Qualifications: Psychology or Criminology degree preferred; previous SEN experience is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 22500 - 27500 £ per year.
The Special Education Needs LSA (Learning Support Assistant) opportunity is ideal if you aspire to have a career focused on Counselling, Mental Health, Wellbeing, Criminal, Social or Youth Justice, or looking at elements of social care.
Can you demonstrate the value of an education to your students while building substantial relationships and keeping them safe?
Location: Milton Keynes
Salary Scale: £475-£550 per week
Start date: ASAP
Contract type: Long Term Contract, 5 days a week, 8:00 - 16:00
This role is suitable for a candidate looking to build on personal or already gained experiences of mental health and SEN. It's vital you can qualify and disqualify roles for yourself. This is also a good role for a graduate who has objectives within Social Justice, Parole, Probation, and the Criminal Justice system, especially for any form of advocacy related to mental health.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual with previous SEN experience or a Graduate with a keen interest in this area of work. It is the perfect position for someone in search of hands-on experience working with social, emotional, and mental health needs.
The Provision is situated in Milton Keynes supporting boys and girls, all who have a range of additional needs associated with social, emotional, and mental health challenges. It's a larger Primary and Secondary provision, with over 50 students, aged 5-19.
The school offers a restorative, therapeutic approach to education and behaviour management, engaging children in key and personal skills, giving them skills they can use in and out of school.
As a learning support assistant, you will be working in classes of 3-6 pupils with a staff to student ratio of 1:1.
What is required?
- An Undergraduate Degree (preferable) and/or previous SEN experience, ideal for Criminology and Psychology Graduates
- Working with and observing how mental health and Autism affects girls compared to boys, points often overlooked
- Good general education levels in English and Maths, 5 grade and above is desired
- A real focus on outside interests that diversify away from the core subjects, building key and personal skills - Sport, Cooking, Coding, Dance, Hair Dressing, Photography
- Knowledge, keen interest or understanding of the range of different types of learning and behavioural needs (SEMH elements of the provision)
Salary will be determined by the successful candidate's qualifications and relevant experience, and will be in accordance with the client's pay policy.
Mental Health Support Assistant in Milton Keynes employer: Academics Careers
This lovely school in Dartford is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration among staff. With a strong commitment to professional development, the school provides ample opportunities for growth and leadership within the drama department, making it an ideal environment for passionate educators eager to inspire the next generation of performers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Support Assistant in Milton Keynes
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Academics Careers.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Academics Careers!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Academics Careers, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Academics Careers or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Support Assistant in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Academics Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Academics Careers! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Academics Careers
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
