How to become a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher

Working with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) can be a fulfilling career path. With the increase of pupils with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the announcement of the recent SEND reform, the education sector is working hard to increase its workforce of qualified SEN practitioners, making it a great time to enter the industry.

In this article Inspire ATA will cover the key skills and experience needed to work in Special Educational Needs teaching.

Skills needed for SEN teaching

Patience and empathy

Individuals with SEN have a range of needs and abilities. While working with SEN pupils its crucial for you to be understanding and aware that progress varies. You will need to support your pupils and stay calm under pressure.

Adaptability and flexibility

Due to the varied nature of SEN, you will need to be able to tailor your teaching methods and curriculum to meet individual student requirements.

Strong communication

Working in a school, and particularly with SEN pupils, requires clearly communicating with pupils, parents, and support staff, often involving alternative communication methods.

Behaviour management

Working in SEN education includes implementing consistent, positive, and non-reactive strategies to manage anxiety and challenging behaviour.

Creativity 

While working with SEN pupils you will be expected to design engaging, hands-on, or sensory-focused lessons that support your pupils’ unique needs.

How to become a SEN teacher

There are a number of entry points available for individuals who wish to work in SEN teaching. While to become a fully qualified SEN teacher one requires specific qualifications, a key requirement is experience working with children with special needs. A great way to get this experience is by working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) which allows you to gain experience and a deeper knowledge of working with SEN pupils.

The benefit of apprenticeships for SEN teaching

Apprenticeships are a great way to start a career in education. Through an apprenticeship you will be able to work within your chosen career sector while gaining a qualification at the same time. This is a huge benefit for individuals looking to get into a sector as hands-on as the education sector.

Working as a TA first will also allow you to build relationships with the organisation in which you are placed, helping show your skills and knowledge in a working environment. Many apprentices often get a full time position at the end of their apprenticeship, like Inspire ATA apprentice Maysan who has been hired and promoted since completing her apprenticeship, read Maysan’s story.

Inspire ATA’s Teaching Assistant SEN Pathway programme

Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship with SEND pathway offers a structured route to a rewarding career in SEND. The programme combines practical experience and theoretical knowledge to increase skills to effectively support students with SEND.

The course is ideal for Teaching Assistants working in mainstream or specialist schools looking to increase knowledge and understanding around SEND. This programme contributes towards the DfE's recommendations that all schools have SEND responsibilities or specialism in their setting.

Learn more about Inspire ATA’s SEN TA programme.