5 October 2023
Register with Pathway for Special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer
These are two titles which are essentially the same job. Other titles for this job include Special needs classroom assistant, special needs learning support assistant
Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistants / SEN learning support officer help children with special educational needs and disabilities.
According to the National Careers website the average salary is between Average salary is between £14,000 and £23,000. They typically work between 30 and 40 hours a week, they say.
Pathway Education have permeant roles Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistants / SEN learning support at schools throughout the country.
How to become Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistants / SEN learning support officer
The National Careers website states there a number of different ways to get into this role.
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
You could do a college qualification to help you get started, for example:
- Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education Early Years Educator
- T Level in Education and Early Years
You may be able to get a placement working with children with special educational needs (SEN) while doing your course.
Many people get qualifications or experience working with children in mainstream schools, then move into working with children with special educational needs.
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
Apprenticeship
To become an SEN teaching assistant, you could do the:
- Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Advanced Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Volunteering
You could get experience of being a special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.
Volunteering can sometimes lead to paid work or a chance to get a qualification.
Direct Application
You can apply for special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer jobs if you have experience of working with children with disabilities or learning difficulties.
Each school sets its own entry requirements. You can check job vacancies with schools, local authorities and academy trusts to find out what schools are looking for.
More Information
Career tips
It’ll help if you know different ways to communicate, such as British Sign Language or Makaton. It’s also helpful to understand what students with disabilities or conditions need. This could include sensory impairments or autism.
The National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) produces useful guides and runs training courses and events.
Professional and industry bodies
You could become a member of NASEN to find professional development opportunities.
Further information
Many for special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer have term time only contracts.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to enjoy working with other people
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- active listening skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
What you’ll do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role.
As a special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer, you could:
- prepare learning materials
- adapt teaching support according to student’s needs
- look after children’s physical, social and emotional welfare
- create an interesting environment for students
- keep records and attend review meetings
- work with professionals such as speech and language therapists
Working environment
You could work at a school, at a special needs school or at a pupil referral unit.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Career path and progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.
Your school will give you access to specific training, like British Sign Language and Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) courses.
They may also provide training on conditions like dyslexia or autism.
With experience, you may could a course to become a higher-level teaching assistant (HLTA).
With further study you could become a fully qualified special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer or mainstream teacher. You can learn about routes into teaching from Get into Teaching.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
For more information, please visit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/special-educational-needs-sen-teaching-assistant
Working with an agency
The other route into a career in special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer is by registering with an agency.
At Pathway, our team consists of former teachers and senior recruitment specialists, so you will always speak to someone with an expert knowledge of the education industry.
We know that time is precious so we have simplified the registration process, just leave your name and contact details and a senior consultant will call you back.
We have a personalised approach to recruiting, with face-to-face interviews, your own dedicated consultant.
As former teachers, we can offer personal development sessions, employability support and training courses to up-skill and fast-track your career.
If you are looking for a career in special education needs (SEN) teaching assistant/ SEN learning support officer register with Pathway Education today.
Alternatively email candiate@pathwayeducation.uk