Career Advice for a SEN Teacher

As a SEN Teacher, you will work with children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to help them achieve their full potential.

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How to Become a SEN Teacher

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a SEN Teacher

Should you wish to work as a SEN Teacher you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a SEN Teacher

  • A Degree in Education or a related field.
  • A Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
  • Specialist training in SEN.

Key Responsibilities for a SEN Teacher

  • Assessing and identifying the needs of children with SEND.
  • Developing and implementing individual education plans (IEPs) for each child.
  • Adapting teaching methods and resources to meet the needs of each child.
  • Working closely with parents, carers, and other professionals to provide a holistic approach to education.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the progress of each child and making adjustments to their IEPs as necessary.
  • Keeping up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in SEN education.

What to expect as a SEN Teacher

As a SEN Teacher in the UK, you can work in a variety of settings such as mainstream schools, special schools, and alternative provision schools.

Recommended SEN Teacher Jobs

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How to get SEN Teacher Jobs

Our advice on how to get a SEN Teacher job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a SEN Teacher application. If you have not held a SEN Teacher position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a SEN Teacher role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your SEN Teacher CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each SEN Teacher application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a SEN Teacher in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a SEN Teacher 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a SEN Teacher and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical SEN Teacher experience.

How to get SEN Teacher Experience

What does it take to be a SEN Teacher? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for SEN Teacher jobs. You can learn how to be a successful SEN Teacher through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a SEN Teacher Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into SEN Teacher part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time SEN Teacher or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

SEN Teacher freelance work

If you have impressive SEN Teacher qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.