Get ahead of the SEND reform: Recruit a SEND Teaching Assistant

Two months after the announcement, schools and local authorities get to grips with the recent Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform. While many of the changes outlined in the Department for Education (DfE) “Every child achieving and thriving” whitepaper alongside the “SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First” consultation document are due to be implemented in the coming years, its crucial for schools to start planning for the changes now to best support their pupils and staff.

What is the SEND reform looking to resolve?

As of 2025, there are over 1.7 million pupils in England with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This number has been increasing steadily over the last decade, rising by over 10% since 2016. In response to the rising demand, the DfE have outlined plans to better support pupils and staff.

A key change to the existing policy highlighted by these documents is the shift in treatment of SEND provision as a parallel system to mainstream education, instead looking to embed inclusion within all school settings.

This change aims to tackle several growing concerns with the current SEND process, hoping to simplify the current stressful and length procedure that parents and pupils need to endure to get support. The new simplified plan should help to make the process less adversarial and rebuild trust between parents and schools.

Additionally, while the government has currently committed 4 billion pound to make mainstream schools more inclusive, the long-term changes aim to reduce cost for schools and local authorities.

How schools can prepare for the SEND reform

The new SEND reform is layered and complex, but one thing is clear: the aim is to provide children and young people with accessible specialist support as early as possible. As more gets revealed and the plans are set in motion, schools should be prepared to enhance their current SEND provision, starting with training up their existing staff.

Get ahead of the reform with specialised SEND recruitment

In partnership with the DfE, Inspire ATA help recruit and employ apprentices on behalf of schools and trusts. We offer a range of roles to support educational settings gain qualified teaching and support staff. Our Specialist Teaching Assistant SEND pathway allows Teaching Assistant to qualify as SEND professionals, supporting schools tackle the SEND crisis and prepare for the changes coming through the SEND reform.

If you’re interested in recruiting a SEND Teaching Assistant, get in touch with the Inspire ATA team: info@inspire-ata.co.uk