How to become Special educational needs (SEN) teaching assistant
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
College
You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need to find a trainee position.
Examples include:
- supporting teaching and learning in schools
- 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 while doing your course.
Many people get qualifications or experience working with children in mainstream schools, then move on to work with children with special educational needs.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
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Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship, such as:
- Early Years Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Early Years Educator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Volunteering
You could get experience by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.
Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people. It can also help when applying for jobs or training courses.
Direct Application
You can apply for special needs teaching assistant jobs if you have experience of working with disabled children or children who have learning difficulties.
You can search for schools in your area then look for job vacancies on their websites.
Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
Contracts are often term-time only and if you're employed through an agency, your pay may be based on a daily rate.
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Career tips
The ability to communicate with children and young people using British Sign Language or Makaton can be helpful, though your employer may offer you training in this.
It's also helpful to understand what kind of support disabled students and those with particular conditions might need, such as assistive learning and communication technology.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) for advice about working in special educational needs and for professional development opportunities.
Further information
You can get more details about a career in special educational needs through: