Switching from Mainstream to SEN Teaching: Why You Should Consider It?

If you are a teacher working in a mainstream school and reading this article, you’ve probably had an experience of supporting a child’s additional needs within your classroom. If you found the experience enjoyable and rewarding, maybe it’s time to switch things up and consider a move into a SEN teaching role? 

Here’s why YOU should consider switching to SEN education and explore a different side of teaching: 

Transferable Skills: 

Your teaching experience from mainstream schools is invaluable and can be easily transferrable to SEN teaching. You’ll need a QTS or, if you already have a bachelor's degree without qualified teacher status, you can complete a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).. You don’t need any additional qualifications to start.

You will use the same skills of patience, adaptability, clear and effective communication, and differentiating tasks to allow children to learn according to their individual preferences and needs. 

Greater Job Satisfaction: 

Working with children with special educational needs requires a different approach to teaching, which is incredibly rewarding. SEN teachers work closely with individual students to help them achieve their full potential and feel more confident in their abilities. The job provides the satisfaction of making a difference and helping children who need it most.

Expanded Career Opportunities: 

Embarking on a career in SEN teaching opens up a wealth of opportunities. As a qualified SEN teacher, you can work in a range of settings from specialist schools and units, to specialist hospitals, and even home-schooling environments. 

Collaboration with Specialists: 

When you work in SEN education, you are part of a team, and collaboration is key to success. Working alongside other SEN specialists, support staff, and external agencies such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists can be an enriching experience, as everyone works towards the same goal of helping students reach their full potential.

More support: 

In mainstream schools, providing students with additional needs and the level of personalised support they require can be challenging. SEN schools can access more teaching assistants, therapists, and specialists. This makes the teaching experience much less stressful and ensures that students receive the maximum support needed to thrive.

I am interested! Where do I begin?

1. Conduct research

Start by researching what the world of special education entails, including different types of SEN schools available, including those for students with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome and additional learning needs. Identifying which specialty matches your skillset and teaching experience can help guide your job search.

You can access resources from organizations such as National Autistic Society. and Department for Education..Attending workshops and seminars can also expand your knowledge and give you a taste of what SEN teaching is like.

2. Gain Experience in SEN Sector

If you already have some experience working with children with learning difficulties, you can move onto the next step. If not, you can start by volunteering with local charities or organizations that support children with special needs. This will give you a chance to work with children and learn about the various strategies and approaches used to help them learn.

3. Update your CV

Now it's time to update your CV with relevant experience. Highlight your transferable skills, such as patience, adaptability, and communication. Use relevant industry terms in your summary and skills sections. Showcase any training or certifications you've earned. Explain how you've implemented teaching methods in your classroom to improve students' learning, and why you would like to teach in an SEN school.

4. Contact an Education Recruitment Agency

Despite having solid credentials and experience, it can be challenging to break into SEN teaching without connections or insider knowledge. Our SEN team at OmniaPeople can help you navigate the job market, connect you with schools that are hiring and match your unique skillset, and provide support throughout the application process. We can also offer guidance on your CV to ensure it will get noticed amongst others, help with interview preparation, share valuable insights about the organisation and negotiate salary on your behalf.

Are you ready to make the next step and switch into SEN education? Get in touch with our experienced SEN specialists to find out more about the change job vacancies and the process. Your next exciting role is waiting for you!  

Or, alternatively, call our office on 0203 011 0044.

Why including SEN Teachers in recruiting Teaching Assistants benefits your School

Inclusivity and diversity are two crucial elements required in any education system aiming to provide quality education for all students. These values become even more critical when it comes to the inclusion of students with special educational needs (SEN), who require additional support and individualized assistance. To provide the best support for SEN students, schools and colleges recruit specially trained teaching assistants. However, the recruitment process should not stop there. Including SEN teachers can provide significant benefits for everyone involved in the recruitment process.

1. Experienced Input: Special Education Needs (SEN) teachers have vast experience working with SEN students and are familiar with their learning styles and individual needs. Involving SEN teachers in the recruitment process can help ensure that teaching assistants selected are knowledgeable, sensitive, able to provide personalized support for SEN students and fit well with the rest of the team. They can help ensure that the recruitment team is selecting the right candidate with the right attitude and knowledge of SEN students' needs.

2. Better Quality of Recruitment: SEN teachers can help evaluate and review the quality of the practices used in the recruitment process, assist with training programs, and support ongoing professional development of teaching assistants. They can provide valuable insights into different methods of communication, engagement, and teaching strategies customized for SEN students. This approach can lead to a better-quality recruitment process and, ultimately, better quality teaching assistants who can provide high levels of support for SEN students.

3. Enhanced Student Support: Including SEN teachers in the recruitment process can help schools discover and improve the weaker areas in their current support system. They can provide recommendations on how to structure support and training programs for teaching assistants and other support staff to enhance student support. The feedback they provide can also be used as the basis of planning interventions to positively impact student achievement.

4. Diverse Hiring Process: Involving SEN teachers in the recruitment process promotes inclusivity and diversity in hiring, which is a key characteristic of transparent and fair recruitment. Inclusivity ensures that the recruitment system does not discriminate against candidates with different needs, abilities, and backgrounds. It helps select the best candidate, including those that have SEN experience, who can bring new ideas and approaches to the job.

5. Retention of Qualified Staff: Recruiting and retaining high-quality support staff can be a challenge for any educational institution. Working with SEN teachers during the recruitment process can create a more favourable and supportive environment for candidates and lead to higher retention rates. Higher retention rates are beneficial for both the educational institution and students, who need stability and continuity in their support system.

Including SEN teachers in the recruitment process can provide numerous benefits for all involved, especially when it comes to recruiting qualified SEN teaching assistants. They have valuable insights and expertise that can ensure that the right teaching assistants are selected and that students with SEN receive the necessary support to achieve their potential. This approach can create an equal opportunity for all, enhance student support, and provide a more transparent and fair recruitment process. Ultimately, the inclusion of SEN teachers enhances the overall quality of education and contributes positively to the growth of students with SEN.