Inspire ATA tackling the SEND crisis through staffing solutions

One of the most pressing issues in UK schools at the moment is the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) crisis. In the last few years there has been a dramatic increase in Special Education Needs (SEN) pupils. The numbers have been increasing since 2019 and currently there are over 1 million pupils in England requiring SEN support either with or without an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.   

According to the Special Education needs in England report for the 2023/2024 academic year the number of SEN pupils has increased by 101,000 pupils from 2023. The percentage of pupils with an EHC plan has increased from 4.3% in 2023 to 4.8% in 2024.  

The lack of SEND qualified staff 

The difficulties schools currently face, is that alongside this dramatic increase there is also a skills gap of SEND qualified staff within schools. SEND pupils require a specific set of skills, knowledge and expertise to be supported adequately and the lack of qualifications within school staff does not allow for this level of support. 

The lack of support staff 

The best way to support SEND pupils is with a 1-2-1 approach, allowing them to have a teacher that understand them and their struggles and can walk them through any difficulties they may have with the curriculum or learning environment. However, as school budgets tightened within the last few years, schools have began to cut the allowance for support staff such as Teaching Assistants.  

Inspire ATA’s SEND pathways 

Inspire ATA are committed to helping schools tackle the SEND crisis through specialised SEND Teaching Assistant pathways that are designed to support schools and pupils. 

Teaching Assistant SEND Pathway Level 3 

This programme helps to resolve the skills gap that is prevalent withing SEND education and aims to help tackle the SEND crisis. This programme contributes towards the DfE's recommendations that all schools have SEND responsibilities or specialism in their setting. 

Specialist Teaching Assistant Level 5 

The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant Programme is the natural progression route for teaching assistants who look to further their career in education. This programme offers learners the opportunity to specialise in a particular field of study such as Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), social and emotional wellbeing, or specific curriculum provisions like early reading or EAL (English as an Additional Language). 

Inspire ATA’s staffing solutions 

Inspire ATA work using the flexi-job apprenticeship model. Through which schools can “host” an apprentice while Inspire ATA acts as the employer. This means that schools are able to hire with ease without impacting headcounts or budgets. It also means that all paperwork, holidays, sick pay, disciplinary actions, grievance and safeguarding is handled by Inspire ATA giving you peace of mind. 

If you are interested in hosting an apprentice through Inspire ATA, book a discovery call today!