Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support Assistant South Shields - Education and Training

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support AssistantSouth Shields - Education and Training

Aspiring Educational Psychologist / Forensic Psychologist / Occupational Therapist - Learning Support Assistant

Are you a graduate or currently working as a Learning Support Assistant and looking to take the next step towards a career in educational psychology, forensic psychology or occupational therapy?

Do you want a role where your empathy, patience and resilience can genuinely transform the educational experience of young people who struggle to access school?

We are recruitingLearning Support Assistantson behalf of a Primary School in South Shields. This role provides valuable, hands-on experience supporting children and young people who experienceanxiety, emotionally based school avoidance (school refusal), autism, communication differences and additional learning needs.

Many pupils come from a range of backgrounds and have struggled to engage with mainstream education due to anxiety, past negative experiences in school, or complex emotional needs. Your role will be to help rebuild theirconfidence, trust in education and sense of safety in learning environments.

You will work within a small, supportive class team where the focus is onpersonalised learning, emotional regulation and relationship building, helping pupils gradually re-engage with education at their own pace.

This role startsApril 2026, workingMonday to Friday, term time only, making it ideal for graduates or support professionals seeking consistent experience within education.

Pay:£101.40 to £110 per day

The school is easily accessible with good transport links, and driving is advantageous with parking available nearby.

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support AssistantSouth Shields - Education and Training

Why this role is ideal for aspiring Educational Psychologists, Forensic Psychologists or Occupational Therapists

This position providesdirect experience with children experiencing anxiety, trauma, school avoidance and additional learning needs, which is highly relevant for careers in psychology, therapy and SEND education.

You will gain valuable insight into:

• Supporting children withemotionally based school avoidance and anxiety
• Building trust with pupils who have struggled in traditional education settings
• Usingtrauma-informed and person-centred approaches
• Understanding behaviour linked to anxiety, emotional regulation and past experiences
• Working within amulti-disciplinary teamincluding teachers, therapists and external professionals
• Helping pupils rebuildconfidence, routine and engagement with learning
• Supporting young people fromdiverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds

Many graduates use this role to confirm whether a career ineducational psychology, youth justice, occupational therapy, mental health support or SEND educationis the right pathway for them.

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support AssistantSouth Shields - Education and Training

What you will be doing

• Supporting pupils1:1 and in small groupsthroughout the school day
• Helping children who experienceanxiety or school refusal feel safe and supported in the classroom
• Building positive relationships with pupils who may initially struggle to trust adults in education settings
• Encouragingcommunication, confidence and emotional regulation
• Supporting structured activities that promoteindependence and life skills
• Helping pupils manage transitions, routines and social situations
• Working closely with teachers and therapists to implementindividual support plans
• Encouraging engagement with learning throughpatience, consistency and positive reinforcement

Your support can play a key role in helping a young personreconnect with education and believe in their ability to succeed.

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support AssistantSouth Shields Education and Training

We would love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience incare, youth work, support work or working with vulnerable individuals(paid or voluntary)
• A genuine interest inpsychology, mental health, therapy or SEND education
• Patience, resilience and a calm, reflective approach
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust with young people
• An understanding of howanxiety and confidence can impact learning
• The ability to work collaboratively within a team

You donot need prior school-based experience. Your empathy, commitment and willingness to learn are what matter most.

Full training and support are provided as part of your onboarding.

Aspiring Psychologist - Learning Support Assistant South Shields- Education and Training

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