Learning Support Assistant | Autism & Complex Needs | Feltham / West London £107-£115 per day | Full

Want experience that actually moves your psychology or therapy career forward? Postgraduate applications in educational psychology, forensic psychology and occupational therapy are competitive. What panels want to see isn't just a degree — it's real, documented experience working with complex young people in specialist environments. This setting offers exactly that, and then some.

Milk Education is recruiting Learning Support Assistants for one of West London's most established specialist schools — a large, Ofsted Outstanding provision supporting pupils aged 3–19 with autism, learning disabilities and complex communication needs. This school has been doing this work for decades. The staff team is experienced, the environment is structured and purposeful, and the experience you build here is genuinely transferable to wherever your career takes you next.

The setting is based in Feltham, this is a well-resourced, highly regarded specialist school serving pupils with autism and associated complex needs across a wide age range — from early years right through to post-16 transition. The school operates across multiple departments, which means real variety. You might spend time supporting a non-verbal nine-year-old developing communication skills one term, and a post-16 student working towards independence the next. For anyone serious about a career in educational psychology, autism research, speech and language therapy or occupational therapy, that breadth of experience is hard to replicate anywhere else. The environment is calm, collaborative and genuinely well-supported. Staff don't just survive here — they develop.

What the role involves:

• 1:1 and small group support for pupils with autism, learning disabilities and complex communication needs
• Implementing individual education and support plans alongside class teachers and therapists
• Supporting communication development using Makaton, PECS, visual aids and AAC approaches
• Helping pupils manage transitions, routines and social situations
• Contributing to a multidisciplinary team including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and clinical professionals
• Building consistent, trust-based relationships with young people who rely on familiarity and routine

Why this role works for your career:

If you are working towards a career in any of the following, this role gives you the documented, reflective experience you need:

• Educational Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech and Language Therapy
• CAMHS / Child Mental Health
• SEMH / Autism Research
• Youth Justice or Social Work

You will observe and contribute to multi-agency working, apply evidence-based approaches in a real school setting, and build a reflective practice portfolio grounded in genuinely complex casework — not just classroom support. Experienced SEND LSAs are equally welcome. If you already have a background in specialist or autism provision and want a setting where your skills are properly valued, this is worth a conversation.

Who we're looking for:

Graduate candidates:

• A degree in psychology, education, occupational therapy, speech and language, sociology, criminology or a related field
• Experience in care, youth work, mentoring, support work or volunteering with vulnerable individuals
• A genuine curiosity about autism, child development, communication or therapeutic education
• Patient, calm and able to build trust with young people who find change and new adults difficult

Experienced candidates:

• Prior LSA, TA or support worker experience in a SEND or autism setting
• Confidence with complex needs and communication difficulties
• Any additional training — Team Teach, Makaton, PECS, PBS — is a real advantage

Full training and induction provided for all new starters regardless of background.

Start dates:

• Immediate starts available now
• September 2026 — secure your role ahead of the new academic year
• Long-term and permanent pathways available

What Milk Education offers:

• £107–£115 per day depending on experience
• A specialist SEN consultant who will take time to understand your career goals
• DBS fast-track support
• Ongoing support throughout your placement
• A genuine pathway to permanent employment within the school

How to apply:

Apply via Indeed or send your CV to the Milk Education SEN team. We are reviewing applications this week. Milk Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are APSCo Compliance+ accredited. All applicants are subject to thorough compliance checks in line with DfE guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, and APSCo standards.