Special educational needs teacher jobs

How to Apply for a Position as a SEN Teaching Assistant?

First and foremost, get familiar with the functions and duties of SEN teaching assistants.

Under the direction of the regular education instructors, a teaching assistant for students with special educational needs (SEN) provides assistance to students who have physical, behavioral, or academic challenges. This may include helping a small group of students in a regular classroom or working one-on-one with a student who attends a SEN school.

As a general rule, the duties of a teaching assistant for students with special educational needs (SEN) consist of assisting students with the comprehension of classroom instructions and assignments by employing methods that are effective for the students, fostering students' feelings of self-assurance and independence, and providing feedback and assistance to classroom instructors. It's possible that the student may also anticipate your presence during their free time or during their participation in extracurricular activities.

SEN teaching assistants will get the same training as regular teaching assistants. Patience, inventiveness, and flexibility are essential in this work since the requirements of each kid will vary on a day-to-day basis and from one another.

Working as a teaching assistant for students with special educational needs (SEN) may be difficult at times, but it is immensely gratifying for anybody who wishes to support disadvantaged children in achieving success in their education. Continue reading for more advice on how to become a SEN teaching assistant if you think this would be the right line of work for you.


As a special education needs teaching assistant, you will most likely be responsible for the following major responsibilities:

Prepare instructional materials under the direction of the instructor.

Working with individual students or groups of students both within and outside of the classroom to provide support for them

modifying your approach to studying in accordance with the requirements of a learner

Take care of the children's health and well-being on all fronts, including the social and emotional aspects.

Providing a dynamic atmosphere for the youngsters you'll be working with is an important step.

Help the educators, and provide them with any information that they may need.

Providing assistance to the instructor in the maintenance of student records, such as those documenting achievement, progress, or activities

Maintain open lines of communication with both parents and professionals, and share information as needed with both internal and external organizations in order to better assist students.

Participating alongside students in treatment or care programs, as determined by the need of the individual learner and with the assistance of appropriate specialists.


How much money does a special education needs teaching assistant make?

The beginning income for a SEN teaching assistant may be close to £17,000; however, the typical salary for a SEN teaching assistant climbs to close to £20,000, which is about what you can anticipate as you develop in the role. The top paid SEN teaching assistants make around £29,000 per year, however this number may vary widely depending on a variety of criteria such where the individual resides, how much of the year they work, their degree of expertise and responsibility, and so on.


Step 2: Boost your chances of landing a job as a special education teaching assistant by doing the following:

If you feel that you are able to handle the responsibilities of being a SEN teaching assistant, then you will need to ensure that you have all of the necessary skills and qualifications for the position, as well as an understanding of what you can specifically do to assist yourself in getting started in a school environment.

You will need to demonstrate that you are qualified for the employment position that you are applying for, including any qualifications that are special to the business. Pay attention to whether or not the position you are looking for has any criteria that are different from those of other occupations of a similar kind, and make sure that you satisfy those requirements before applying for the job. If you are interested in beginning a career in education, there are a few things that you can do to boost your chances of being hired for the position that you want.


Which credentials are necessary to work in special education as a teaching assistant for students with special needs?

Despite the fact that schools frequently determine their own requirements for teaching assistants based on the needs of both the school and the students, it is a good idea to get a Level 2 Teaching Assistant qualification so that you will have the knowledge that you will need for the position, as well as so that you will look good to potential employers.

After you have completed the requirements for the Teaching Assistant Level 2 certification, you can consider continuing your education to get the Teaching Assistant Level 3 qualification in order to broaden your skill set. As you advance in your career, you will have the opportunity to expand your expertise and earn a greater pay.

Depending on the jobs that you apply for, you may also be required to have an A* to C grade in English and Math at the GCSE level or an equivalent. This is a prerequisite for several teaching assistant apprenticeships and courses as well. If you don't have one of them, you should seriously consider enrolling in either a Level 2 Functional Skills English course or a Level 2 Functional Skills Maths course as soon as possible. At this level, having a qualification in functional skills is the same as having your GCSE qualification, and it can help you get into a broad variety of careers, not only in teaching.


Acquire some supplementary credentials that are relevant to the position.

Even if they aren't required, having credentials in support of your application may substantially boost your chances of obtaining the job you desire and help you stand out among the other candidates. Obtaining your supporting credentials will allow you to exhibit extra information that you possess that other potential applicants may not.

Because you'll be dealing with children who have particular educational requirements, you should consider getting some kind of training or certification in autism comprehension. Depending on the children you'll be working with, it may be quite helpful to have a deeper understanding of autism as well as how the disorder manifests itself in youngsters.

There are a variety of additional supporting credentials that might be beneficial to you in your role as a SEN teaching assistant. A course in safeguarding and prevention will provide you with the information you need to assist in protecting the pupils you will be working with, which is an extremely crucial aspect of the job that you will be doing. Employers and parents will feel more at ease when they learn that you are armed with the information necessary to enable the organization in meeting its greater degree of responsibility for the protection of children.

It is essential to acquire a first aid certification if you work in educational settings, since there is always the possibility that pupils can sustain injuries that need first assistance. It is possible that your company may provide you with the opportunity to complete this training prior to beginning employment with them; nevertheless, having the certification already under your belt can help you get a head start.


How to get experience as a teaching assistant for students with special needs

When seeking for a job as a special education needs teaching assistant, having any previous experience working in a school or other educational environment would be very beneficial to you. This expertise may have been gained in a variety of settings, ranging from working as a teaching assistant in schools in the past to providing care for children with impairments or educational challenges.

If you are currently working as a teaching assistant, then you are in a great position to get started working with students who have special educational needs since many SEN teaching assistants began their careers as ordinary TAs.

In the event that you do not have any previous experience working in a school setting, it is important to emphasize the transferable abilities you have acquired from previous employment that will assist you in making the transition into the role.

If you need some experience working in schools, volunteering at a local school is usually a wonderful option for you to consider. This will look great on your resume, and it may also result in paid career opportunities.


Step 3: Double check that your SEN teaching assistant CV has been updated recently.

You need to make sure that your curriculum vitae (CV) has the most recent information about you, such as any relevant credentials and job experience you may have earned since the last time you updated it. Because we are all aware of the significance of a person's first impression, and because your curriculum vitae (CV) is almost always going to be the first thing that prospective employers look at, it is crucial that they be well prepared.

To leave the most favorable impression possible, you will need to provide the appropriate information and deliver it in an engaging manner. In light of the significance of your curriculum vitae, we have compiled a concise guide in the hopes of improving your chances of getting an interview and kickstarting your professional life in the education industry.


Advice on how to write a CV for a SEN teaching assistant position

It is essential that your curriculum vitae (CV) is of a good quality and conveys your enthusiasm for the job of SEN teaching assistant while you are seeking for work in this field. An successful curriculum vitae (CV) is one that is professionally presented, highlights essential abilities and experience, and provides prospective employers with an understanding of who you are.

It is essential that you use proper grammar in your writing, that it be brief while still including vital information, and that you exclude any content that is not pertinent. If you do not adhere to these principles, it is possible that your application will not be accepted because potential employers may see it as being too unprofessional. Help is at hand in the form of our SEN teaching assistant CV writing recommendations, which are designed to increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.


1. Capture their interest with a captivating personal profile.

The part of your resume titled "Personal Profile" is the first one that potential employers will read in order to learn more about you. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself, highlight some of your features, and market some of your talents. Because they outline right away the benefits of working with you, personal profiles are an excellent tool for convincing potential employers to hire you.

This section can include relevant experience and achievements, but it's important to tailor this to the job description and what's prioritized there to show that you're enthusiastic about the role and that you're a serious candidate for the position who has what they're looking for. If you don't tailor this section to the job description and what's prioritized there, you won't show that you're enthusiastic about the role.

There are no hard and fast guidelines for how lengthy this part should be, but you should strive for little more than one hundred words and a few concise phrases at the most. By doing so, you will be able to keep it brief and successfully emphasize who you are to potential employers without providing them with an excessive amount of information, which will increase the likelihood of them reading the remainder of your CV and taking you into consideration for the position. Be sure that you are putting your best foot forward and showcasing the aspects of yourself that you believe set you apart from others.


Discuss yourself (when it is appropriate to do so).

Although your skills and work experience, rather than your personality, should be the primary focus of your curriculum vitae (CV), it is still a good idea to include some personal information that is relevant to the position you are applying for, such as your hobbies. However, what constitutes relevant information varies from job to job.


2. Sell your abilities

Your curriculum vitae has to have a segment that presents a summary of your relevant talents. This makes it simple for the potential employer to read your application, and it also makes it simpler for them to evaluate whether or not you are qualified for the post. You should use bullet points as the formatting for this area so that it is straightforward and simple for potential employers to read. Be careful to highlight any abilities that are pertinent to the role and that you believe give you an edge over other applicants. For example:


Superior abilities in both working as a team and communicating with others

Solid abilities in reading, writing, and arithmetic

Kind and non-threatening

Strong classroom management skills

Excellent knowledge of childhood education and the growth of children


If you are having trouble thinking of abilities that are pertinent to the position, it is a good idea to look through adverts for jobs that are currently open in order to get some inspiration.

You could begin by reading the job description again and thinking about what information may be helpful to include in your application. If you are still having trouble, you should look at other job posts for positions that are comparable. You should also consider which of your abilities have proven useful in any of your previous endeavors, whether they be academic or professional.

When discussing your abilities, it is essential to make an effort to cover both your hard and soft talents. This will allow you to demonstrate some variation in your repertoire. Hard skills are those that a person acquires by experience, knowledge, or learning, such as those gained through a certification or after completing training. The phrase "soft skills" refers to your personal characteristics and behaviors that influence how you operate. Examples of soft skills include the ability to effectively communicate with others, the capacity to work well within a team, and organizational abilities.


3. Outline your experience

You should describe any previous experiences that you've had in either paid or volunteer roles that are pertinent to becoming a leader at a forest school. This will allow you to demonstrate to a prospective employer the value that you'd offer to the role in the most effective way possible.

You should put this work experience at the forefront of your application as a SEN teaching assistant since it is the most useful experience you can have in this role. This experience can be gained by working in the same capacity previously or as a normal teaching assistant. Please provide information about your previous places of employment, including the dates you began and ended your employment (these do not need to be specific; typically the month and year are sufficient), as well as a description of the primary responsibilities you were responsible for in each position. If you have a lot of experience that is relevant, put it in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.

Because it is more relevant to the positions you will be looking for today, employers will be more interested in learning about what you have been doing more lately rather than what you did years ago.

If you do not have any experience that is related to the post, then you should list any prior jobs that you have had along with the abilities that you learned from those jobs that are transferrable and would be valuable in the role. It would be helpful if you could identify any parallels between the job you had in the past and the one you are applying for now. Is there anything in the advertising for the position that jogs your memory in any way?


4. Please include your educational background and professional experience.

It is extremely essential to make sure that you describe your education in a clear and concise manner on your CV. This will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and credentials that are required for the job. When stating your credentials, you should give the most priority to two aspects: the level of the qualification (for example, is it a degree or a GCSE? ), and the date on which you obtained the credential. When listing your credentials, it is advisable to go in order from most recent to least recent, just as you would with your experience.

Make sure that the name of the institution, the dates that you attended it from, the subject(s) that you studied or the name of the qualification, as well as the final grade that you earned are all included in the list of your qualifications when you list them. If there is a facet of your education that is particularly pertinent to the job that you are going for, it is a good idea to make a passing reference to that facet at some time in your cover letter or resume.


Include copies of your diplomas and any other relevant certifications.

You shouldn't feel that you just need to mention your experiences from school or university. Things like standalone courses that provide you with a certificate or diploma are more than important, particularly if they cover a topic that is related to the job that you do. You should add your certificates in the same manner that you would add your other credentials, and you should include any extra information that is required.

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