Aspiring Art Therapist – Learning Support Assistant West Drayton
Location: West DraytonStart Date: September 2026Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:45pm (term time only)Pay: £115.90 per dayTrial/observation days available
Gain frontline experience supporting vulnerable young people while reinforcing the value of education as a pathway to positive outcomes.
Are you an aspiring Art Therapist looking to build a career in mental health, creative therapies, or education?
This specialist provision in West Drayton supports vulnerable students who are academically capable but require additional support due to Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. 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 Art Therapist to work as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting students to re‑engage, achieve academically, and rebuild confidence in their ability.
In this setting, education is not just about attainment — it is about changing life trajectories.
Why this role is unique
- SEMH needs (anxiety, trauma, behavioural challenges)
- Previous disengagement from education
- 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 experience
- Understanding behaviour: Gain insight into the psychological drivers behind disengagement
- Re‑engagement strategies: Learn how to bring students back into education successfully
- Academic mentoring: Support capable students to achieve and exceed expectations
- Safeguarding experience: Work closely with vulnerable young people in a structured setting
- Relationship building: Become a consistent, trusted adult
- Creative therapeutic insight: Build foundational experience for future Art Therapy training
How Art Therapy Supports Non‑Verbal Children
In this role, you will gain first‑hand exposure to the powerful ways creative expression can reach students who struggle with verbal communication. For non‑verbal children and those with selective mutism or severe anxiety, art therapy offers an alternative pathway to process emotions, build trust, and engage with their education. Through drawing, painting, and sensory materials, these students can:
- Communicate feelings and experiences that they cannot put into words, reducing frustration and isolation.
- Develop a sense of control and agency by making choices about
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