Introduction
SEN TAs can have a wonderfully rewarding career if they are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children who benefit from their support. In this role, they can support young people who have a wide variety of learning needs, such as those requiring special educational support for learning disabilities, physical impairments, autism spectrum disorders, as well as those who have emotional or behavioural needs. As an increasing number of children now receive education in mainstream schools, training in SEN has become necessary for TAs to provide effective support to those who need it the most.
Specialist SEN courses for TAs allow you to gain the skills, techniques and knowledge to support children with special needs. Let’s look at the top SEN courses, the factors to consider when selecting a course, and how these courses can boost your career development and teaching effectiveness.
Understanding Special Educational Needs (SEN) and the Role of SEN Teaching Assistants
What are Special Educational Needs?
Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a general term used to describe individual conditions impairing a child’s learning ability, speech and language, and social interaction in a mainstream setting. This includes disabilities such as specific learning disabilities, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech and language difficulties, and physical disabilities. It’s important to recognise that each condition has different requirements and needs and that specific teaching needs to be delivered for the learner to achieve their full potential. SEN Teaching Assistants are vital to the process of tailoring activities within a classroom to suit these needs.
Why Specialised Training is Essential for SEN TAs
Whereas general TA courses present a broad grounding in classroom support, SEN-focused training gets into the ‘nitty gritty’ of the specialist techniques and skill sets required to work with students with learning and behavioural difficulties. Training tailored to the needs of SEN students enables TAs to:
- Understand and implement individualised support strategies tailored to each student’s unique needs.
- Create an inclusive learning environment by adjusting classroom activities and materials.
- Address behavioural challenges using evidence-based methods that improve student engagement.
- Finishing an SEN course can make a TA more confident in the classroom, which can make the job much more rewarding and satisfying for both the TA and the children they support.
Core Responsibilities of an SEN Teaching Assistant
An SEN Teaching Assistant supports a wide range of duties, including helping with class control, individual education plans, and 1:1 support with children. An SEN TA supports and helps both the children and the teacher by using the techniques they learnt in their training to make the room more accessible and inclusive, helping with behaviour management and social interaction and helping pupils with speech or language needs improve their communication and language skills.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an SEN Course
Accreditation and Certification
Check if the course is accredited and certified. Accredited courses are recognised by the Department of Education and other professional bodies, and the qualification is far more useful in the workplace than a course that has not been accredited. Look for courses from leading institutions or organisations such as CACHE, TQUK and NCFE. These bodies are all well-known and respected in the UK education sector. Accredited courses also mean that the course is up to date with the standards required by schools and other education settings.
Course Content and Relevance
Remember that SEN courses vary widely; one course is not a substitute for another. Therefore, it makes sense to seek out a course that covers the areas you’re most interested in, such as:
- Behaviour management techniques
- Safeguarding practices
- Communication and language support
- Understanding specific SEN conditions, such as autism or dyslexia
A comprehensive curriculum will prepare you for the different learning needs you will encounter in your classroom, making you a better SEN TA.
Practical Experience Opportunities
Courses that include placements for practical experience or which allow you to observe in a real classroom are an ideal way to make your theoretical knowledge a reality. Real-world experience helps you build confidence, develop practical skills in teaching children with SEN, and offer a chance to work alongside experienced teachers, model best practices, and receive feedback on your development.
Flexibility and Accessibility
If you already have significant work or other commitments, look for courses offered in a part-time, distance, or blended format. Many educational institutions now offer a variety of online learning modules, allowing students to complete coursework off-site at a time convenient to them. Check whether the course requires any practical component and whether it is possible to complete this locally or in an alternative flexible arrangement.
Top SEN Courses for Teaching Assistants in the UK
1. CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
Overview
The CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning is one of the most widely recognised qualifications for TAs, providing a solid grounding in general teaching assistant duties with a focus on SEN. The course covers safeguarding, inclusive teaching and learning, and differentiated approaches to SEN pupils.
Unique Features
This is a nationally recognised UK qualification with modules dedicated to SEN support strategies. Students will have a deep grasp of behaviour management and classroom management strategies. The CACHE Level 3 is a nationally recognised qualification in the education sector. Teaching assistants often require this qualification to work in UK schools.
Ideal For
This is for TAs new to the role or anyone seeking a foundation qualification with a strong SEN underpinning. It will provide a solid grounding in the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to thrive in an inclusive classroom.
2 TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (with SEN Focus)
What a list! I’ve never heard of any of these qualifications, and I have an undergraduate degree. I assume they’re neither difficult nor time-consuming. Most of them are online courses that can be completed in the evening. So, gaining a teaching assistant qualification should be easy, right? Wrong. There are three major obstacles to consider.
First, these qualifications have an initial cost ranging from £500 to £1,200. Second, they require that you complete assignments in a short time frame, such as one week. You must get 100% on all these assignments to pass the course. And third, you must find the time to study and complete these assignments while working full-time. I have to ask myself: is this reasonable? This brings me to a central point.
Despite the disconnect between the school system and the real world, the requirements for entering the teaching profession are excessively dramatic, to put it mildly. Imagine you want to become a plumber or a hairdresser – the steps are simple and clear. You take a short course (normally three months), ideally at a nearby location, and then find a job in the field. If you want to work with children, you could teach English as a foreign language or be a nanny.
Overview
The TQUK Level 3 Certificate is a more intensive training course for TAs who wish to work with SEN support, covering everything from safeguarding and child development to specific teaching methods for SEN students, with a core focus on SEN needs.
Unique Features
This is a very niche course, with modules devoted to SEN needs, provision and teaching approaches. It contains practical assignments and exercises which enable delegates to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-life contexts, and it is well-respected within the UK. It is designed to equip TAs to support SEN pupils within mainstream school settings.
Ideal For
This course is ideal for anyone wanting to gain a comprehensive overview of SEN support as part of a general TA role. It suits those wishing to work in an inclusive classroom or mainstream school.
3. NCFE Level 3 Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
Overview
This is an advanced qualification focusing on helping learners prepare for working with SEN students. This qualification covers a wide range of SEN conditions. It provides detailed information about behaviour management strategies and communication techniques for SEN students.
Unique Features
There are specific modules in this NCFE course, which runs for more than a year, on behavioural strategies and support plans for SEN students. It is an excellent qualification for a TA who wishes to work in specialist schools focusing specifically on SEN, providing theoretical and practical learning.
Ideal For
It would be particularly appropriate for a TA wishing to specialise in SEN support, especially those working with students with complex needs, and for anyone wanting to develop their knowledge of SEN and improve their advanced classroom support techniques.
4. The Autism Education Trust (AET) Courses
Overview
One such example is the Autism Education Trust (AET), which provides accredited courses for teachers, teaching assistants (TAs), leaders, and governors at basic, intermediate and advanced levels to help support students with autism. TAs are given skills to work with autistic students.
Unique Features
[The AET courses] focus on autism-specific strategies, communication and sensory support, with each level adding an extra dimension to the previous one. This enables students to develop a deeper understanding of autism support as they progress through each level. It gives them a well-recognised UK qualification and a structured approach to autism learning.
Ideal For
These courses are ideal for teaching assistants who wish to become autism specialists. The emphasis on practicality in AET makes it particularly relevant for those who work with autistic students in classrooms.
5. British Dyslexia Association (BDA) Training Courses
Overview
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) provides training for teachers to learn how to support students with dyslexia, offering strategies and techniques to improve the literacy skills, communication and confidence of dyslexic students.
Unique Features
The BDA’s courses are also evidence-based: specially designed resources for TAs to direct students who are struggling to become readers, to develop their reading comprehension, and to aid their spelling, punctuation and writing. The courses are highly regarded within the education profession.
Ideal For
This training is designed for TAs committed to working with students who experience literacy difficulties and who work in schools that prioritise reading and writing support.
6. City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning
Overview
The City Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Certificates suit new or experienced TAs. They give an overview of TA responsibilities while offering specialist SEN modules, so they are a good option for those who want to progress from the basics to the advanced.
Unique Features
The theory behind City Guilds courses is built upon an equal balance of practical application. The courses are delivered flexibly to allow students to progress from Level 2 to Level 3, building upon their SEN skills at each stage. City Guilds courses are also widely recognised by UK schools, who appreciate the opportunity to provide their pupils with a respected qualification pathway.
Ideal For
These certificates are appropriate for both new and more experienced TAs, as they are a flexible and versatile qualification and a solid base for SEN support, with the opportunity for progression to the higher levels.
Specialised SEN Courses for Targeted Needs
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specialisation Courses
Short courses or certificates in ASD train TAs in techniques to support students with autism, such as communication strategies, sensory support and interventions relevant to the needs of autistic students.
Speech, Language, and Communication Needs (SLCN) Training
SLCN training, for example, provides TAs with the skills to improve students’ communication, develop language, and support learners who use visuals or iPads to communicate.
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) Training
SEMH support courses enable TAs to learn techniques for assisting students with social and emotional needs to create a positive learning environment and provide mental health support if necessary.
Sensory Support Courses
For example, sensory support courses can teach TAs the basics of helping students with sensory processing disorders or other sensory needs, including information on sensory-friendly teaching strategies and environmental adjustments.
Benefits of Completing a Specialised SEN Course for Teaching Assistants
Enhanced Knowledge and Practical Skills
Upon completing an SEN course, TAs acquire the expertise required to provide individualised support for diverse learning needs, enabling them to create supportive, inclusive environments that accommodate the needs of all students.
Increased Employability and Career Opportunities
Qualifications focused on SEN are valued by schools that want to demonstrate their commitment to inclusive education. In an era of austerity, where school budgets are under pressure and pupil numbers are rising, TAs with SEN training are in demand, particularly as schools prioritise resources for students with special educational needs.
Better Support for SEN Students
The TAs become pivotal to the teaching process, especially where they can identify individual pupils’ requirements and follow a personalised plan for their support and development.
Conclusion
If you are a Teaching Assistant (TA) and want to make an informed choice, we strongly recommend investing in an SEN course. The right SEN course will equip you with the skills and help you achieve your career goals.
Whether you are just starting in the field of education or looking to progress to a higher level, you can find a suitable SEN course to enhance your career prospects.
If your passion lies in special needs education and you want to ensure that you invest your time in a worthwhile endeavour, then look no further. Here are the top SEN courses to explore based on your career goals.
From here, find your next course for SEN or subject-specific training, compare the features and buy the course and materials that will give you the tools to make your classroom more accessible and productive for children of all abilities.