Career Advice for a SEN Teaching Assistant

As a SEN Teaching Assistant, you will work closely with teachers and other professionals to provide individualised support to children and young people with SEND.

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How to Become a SEN Teaching Assistant

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 Teaching Assistant

Should you wish to work as a SEN Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant

  • A Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
  • A Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools.
  • Experience working with children or young people with SEND.

Key Responsibilities for a SEN Teaching Assistant

  • Providing one-to-one or small group support to children and young people with SEND.
  • Assisting with the planning and delivery of lessons and activities.
  • Helping to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.
  • Monitoring and recording progress and behaviour.
  • Communicating with parents, carers, and other professionals.
  • Attending training and development sessions to improve your skills and knowledge.

What to expect as a SEN Teaching Assistant

As a SEN Teaching Assistant in the UK, you can work in schools, colleges, or special education centres, supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Recommended SEN Teaching Assistant Jobs

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How to get SEN Teaching Assistant Jobs

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

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a SEN Teaching Assistant application. If you have not held a SEN Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each SEN Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a SEN Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant experience.

How to get SEN Teaching Assistant Experience

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

How to be a SEN Teaching Assistant Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into SEN Teaching Assistant part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time SEN Teaching Assistant 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 Teaching Assistant freelance work

If you have impressive SEN Teaching Assistant 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.