Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

A Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant is a dedicated and compassionate professional who plays a pivotal role in creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment. You are the crucial link that enables students with physical, sensory, emotional, behavioural, or cognitive difficulties to access the curriculum and fully participate in school life. Working under the guidance of a class teacher and the SENCo, you will provide tailored support to individuals or small groups, helping to remove barriers to learning and fostering students' academic, social, and emotional development. This role is not just about academic support; it's about championing each child's potential, building their confidence, and ensuring they feel safe, valued, and understood.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Mainstream Teaching Assistant
Nursery Nurse or Early Years Practitioner
Care Worker or Support Worker
Graduate (particularly in Psychology, Education, or Childhood Studies)

Advancement To:

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) - requires further qualification
Teacher Training (leading to Qualified Teacher Status - QTS)
Inclusion Manager or Pastoral Lead

Lateral Moves:

Learning Mentor
Family Liaison Officer
Pastoral Support Worker
Behaviour Support Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide direct 1:1 or small group support to pupils with a range of special educational needs, including Autism (ASD), ADHD, SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs, and specific learning difficulties.
Implement and adapt learning activities and materials as directed by the class teacher to ensure they are accessible and appropriate for the student's individual learning level and needs.
Follow and contribute to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and behaviour support plans, meticulously tracking progress against set targets.
Employ a variety of communication strategies, such as Makaton, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), or assistive technology, to support pupils with communication difficulties.
Foster students' social and emotional development by modelling positive behaviour, encouraging peer interaction, and facilitating structured social skills activities.
Proactively manage challenging behaviour using de-escalation techniques and positive reinforcement strategies in line with the school's behaviour policy.
Assist pupils with their physical and personal care needs as required, which may include mobility, feeding, or toileting, while maintaining their dignity and privacy.
Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly, and supportive learning environment to help students feel safe and ready to learn.
Observe and record student progress, achievements, and any areas of concern, providing detailed and objective feedback to the class teacher and SENCo.
Build strong, trusting relationships with the pupils you support, acting as a consistent and reassuring presence throughout their school day.
Collaborate effectively with the class teacher, SENCo, and other professionals (e.g., Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists) to ensure a holistic and consistent approach to each child's support.
Prepare learning resources and materials needed for specific lessons or interventions, ensuring they are ready and fit-for-purpose.
Support students during less structured times, such as break times and lunchtimes, to ensure their safety and encourage positive social interactions.
Accompany and support students on educational visits and school trips, helping them to fully access and enjoy the experience.
Promote and develop a student's independence skills, gradually reducing support as they gain confidence and competence in various tasks.
Assist in the assessment of student learning, helping to gather evidence of their achievements against their individual targets.
Uphold all school policies, particularly those related to safeguarding, child protection, health and safety, and confidentiality.
Attend and actively contribute to staff meetings, training sessions, and annual reviews for students with EHCPs.
Help to integrate pupils with SEN into mainstream classroom activities as much as possible, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Use a patient, empathetic, and resilient approach to manage the daily challenges and celebrate the small victories that are part of supporting students with complex needs.

Secondary Functions

Assist with the preparation and maintenance of classroom displays, ensuring they are inclusive and celebrate all students' work.
Supervise students during arrivals and dismissals, ensuring a safe and orderly handover to parents or carers.
Provide general classroom support to the teacher when the primary supported student is absent or working independently.
Participate in the broader life of the school, supporting school events, assemblies, and extracurricular activities where appropriate.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Knowledge of SEN Conditions: A strong understanding of various needs such as ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and SEMH.
EHCP/IEP Familiarity: Experience in reading, understanding, and implementing targets from Education, Health and Care Plans or Individual Education Plans.
Behaviour Management Techniques: Proficiency in positive behaviour support and de-escalation strategies (e.g., Team-Teach or similar training is highly valued).
Communication Aids: Familiarity with alternative communication methods like Makaton, PECS, or communication boards.
Phonics Schemes: Knowledge of systematic synthetic phonics programmes (e.g., Read Write Inc., Jolly Phonics).
Intervention Delivery: Experience running specific interventions for literacy, numeracy, or social skills.
Safeguarding & Child Protection: A thorough and up-to-date understanding of safeguarding procedures and legislation.

Soft Skills

Patience and Empathy: The ability to remain calm and understanding, even in challenging situations, and to see the world from the child's perspective.
Resilience: The capacity to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive and professional attitude.
Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to quickly change your approach to meet the ever-shifting needs of the student and classroom environment.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent ability to communicate clearly and sensitively with children, colleagues, and parents.
Teamwork and Collaboration: A natural ability to work effectively as part of a team, sharing information and supporting colleagues.
Initiative and Proactivity: The intuition to anticipate a student's needs and act without always waiting for instruction.
Observational Skills: A keen eye for detail when observing student behaviour, learning, and well-being.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) or a functional skills equivalent. A valid and up-to-date DBS check is mandatory.

Preferred Education:

Level 2 or Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
A degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Education Studies
Psychology
Childhood Studies
Social Care

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

A minimum of 6 months of experience working with children or young people in a professional capacity.

Preferred:

1+ years of direct experience working as a Teaching Assistant in a primary or secondary school, specifically supporting pupils with documented special educational needs. Experience within a specialist provision or resource base is highly desirable.