At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable students to re-engage with learning and develop essential skills.
- Company: Eco-friendly education agency focused on positive outcomes for students.
- Benefits: £108/day, flexible hours, access to CPD courses, and dedicated consultant support.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a supportive environment with excellent career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while gaining valuable experience for future OT/SLT training.
- Qualifications: No prior school experience needed; passion for helping others is key.
The predicted salary is between 27353 - 33431 £ per year.
Location: West Drayton | Start: September 2026 | Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:30am–3:45pm (term time) | Pay: £108/day | Trial/observation days available
What’s in it for you:
- £108 per day
- Fast-track registration
- Flexible working options
- Access to 1000+ CPD courses
- Free wellbeing resources
- Discount and perks platform
- Dedicated consultant support
- Opportunity to work with an eco-friendly education agency
- Valuable frontline experience for OT/SLT Master’s/Doctorate applications
About the role:
Gain frontline experience supporting vulnerable young people while reinforcing the value of education as a pathway to positive outcomes. This specialist provision in West Drayton supports academically capable students who require additional support due to Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, sensory processing difficulties, and motor skill challenges. Many pupils have experienced disruption in their education, and the school’s core focus is re-engaging them with learning and helping them recognise the long-term value of their education.
They are seeking an Aspiring Occupational Therapist or Speech Therapist to work as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting students to re-engage, achieve academically, and rebuild functional skills, regulation, and confidence. In this setting, education is not just about attainment — it is about changing life trajectories.
Why this role is unique:
Unlike mainstream settings, this provision focuses on students who have the ability to succeed academically but need targeted support to overcome barriers such as:
- SEMH needs (anxiety, trauma, behavioural challenges)
- Sensory processing difficulties affecting focus and regulation
- Fine and gross motor delays impacting handwriting, coordination, and independence
- Previous disengagement from education and interrupted school journeys
- Low confidence despite strong academic potential
Your role will centre on unlocking that potential and reinforcing the importance of education in shaping future opportunities.
How this role develops your OT/SLT experience:
- Sensory regulation – Understand how environmental and sensory inputs affect behaviour, focus, and emotional state
- Motor skills support – Assist students with fine and gross motor activities to improve handwriting, coordination, and classroom participation
- Functional independence – Support students in developing daily living skills and self-regulation strategies
- Behavioural insight – Gain understanding of the sensory and psychological drivers behind disengagement
- Re‑engagement strategies – Learn how to bring students back into education through activity‑based, meaningful interventions
- Safeguarding experience – Work closely with vulnerable young people in a structured setting
- Relationship building – Become a consistent, trusted adult who supports students’ occupational participation
- Therapeutic insight – Build foundational experience for future OT/SLT Master’s/Doctorate training
How Occupational Therapy Supports Students with Sensory and Motor Challenges:
In this role, you will gain first‑hand exposure to the powerful ways activity‑based, sensory‑informed interventions can reach students who struggle with traditional classroom engagement. For children with sensory processing disorders, dyspraxia, or autism, occupational therapy offers an alternative pathway to regulate, participate, and thrive in their education. Through movement breaks, sensory circuits, fine motor tasks, and environmental adaptations, these students can:
- Regulate their nervous system through structured sensory input, reducing anxiety and improving classroom focus
- Develop motor planning and coordination through targeted activities that build physical skills for writing, using tools, and participating in PE and play
- Build independence in self‑care, organisation, and transitioning between tasks
- Communicate sensory needs and learn to self‑advocate, reducing frustration and behavioural outbursts
- Process traumatic experiences indirectly through safe, physical activities that allow for emotional release without verbal disclosure
By witnessing this process daily, you will develop a deep, practical understanding of how occupational therapy principles can transform a child’s educational and emotional journey — foundational insight for any aspiring OT.
Your responsibilities:
- Support students 1:1 and in small groups to raise academic attainment
- Help pupils re‑engage with learning and build positive routines
- Provide sensory and SEMH support to improve focus, regulation, and behaviour
- Implement fine and gross motor activities to support physical development
- Work with teachers and OTs to deliver tailored support strategies
- Encourage a culture where education is seen as valuable and achievable
- Support a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment
The students you support are capable — your role is to help them believe it and act on it.
Who we are looking for:
No prior school experience required — attitude and intent are key. Aspiring Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, or related field (Psychology, Health Sciences, Education). Strong interest in sensory integration, mental health, or paediatric rehabilitation.
Aspiring OT/Speech Therapist – Learning Support Assistant West Drayton employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Aspiring OT/Speech Therapist – Learning Support Assistant West Drayton
✨Network with Local Healthcare Professionals
Getting a temporary role in health sciences administration is all about who you know! Hit up local healthcare meetups or professional gatherings to make connections. Chat with people already in the field; they might know about temporary gigs at places like Milk Education before they even hit the job boards!
✨Leverage University Career Services
If you're still studying or recently graduated, don’t forget about your university's career services. They often have exclusive links to temporary roles in health administration—it's a goldmine for finding opportunities that might not be advertised publicly. Plus, they can help you polish your interview skills!
✨Use Online Job Boards Wisely
When hunting for temporary roles, make sure you’re using job boards that cater specifically to health administration. Websites like NHS Jobs or HealthCareers might have listings for roles at Milk Education. Set up alerts for new postings, so you jump on any opportunities as soon as they come up!
✨Showcase Your Adaptability in Interviews
Temporary roles often require you to hit the ground running. Use your interviews to highlight any past experiences where you’ve had to adapt quickly, whether it’s in a volunteer position or a past job. This will show Milk Education you’re ready to step in and make an immediate impact!
We think you need these skills to ace Aspiring OT/Speech Therapist – Learning Support Assistant West Drayton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Health Sciences Knowledge:When applying for the Aspiring OT/Speech Therapist – Learning Support Assistant West Drayton at Milk Education, make sure to showcase any relevant courses or degrees you have in health sciences or related fields. This background helps to demonstrate that you understand the sector and can hit the ground running in a temporary role.
Emphasise Administrative Skills:Since this is an administrative role, it’s essential to highlight your organisational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with software commonly used in health sciences administration. Mention any specific tools or systems you’ve used, as these can really make you stand out to Milk Education.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:As this is a temporary role, brevity is key. Make sure your CV is succinct and focuses on your most relevant experiences. Highlight your ability to adapt quickly and learn on the job, which is crucial in a short-term position like this.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your enthusiasm for the health sciences sector and your interest in the specific tasks you'd be handling at Milk Education. Being clear about why you're the perfect fit for a temporary position will help demonstrate your motivation and readiness to contribute.
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Brush Up on Health Regulations
Given that you're diving into health sciences administration, make sure you're well-versed in the latest health regulations and compliance standards. It’s a temporary role, so showing that you’re up to speed with current guidelines will highlight your readiness to hit the ground running for Milk Education.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
In health sciences administration, organisational skills are key. Prepare examples of how you’ve managed multiple tasks or handled administrative challenges in the past. Be ready to speak about your tools—whether that's a particular software or a method of project management—that you use to keep everything in check.
✨Tailor Your Motivation to the Temporary Nature
As this is a temporary position, it’s essential to express your enthusiasm for the role during the interview. Talk about what you aim to learn and how you see this experience fitting into your overall career goals. Employers love to see that you’re eager to contribute, even if it's just for a short time!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
You might also encounter scenario-based questions during your interview. Be ready to demonstrate how you'd handle specific administrative challenges in a health setting. Think about common situations in health sciences and formulate your responses beforehand, so you come off as calm and capable when it counts.
