Special educational needs (SEN) teacher work in state and private schools. They teach children whose special educational needs range from moderate learning difficulties to severe physical, mental or behavioural difficulties.

What SEN teachers do

• teach in mainstream classes, specialist schools, tuition units, assessment centres and clinics
• design individual programmes of learning for pupils
• supervise special needs assistants and other learning-support staff
• liaise with a range of other professionals and attend review meetings.

Key skills for SEN teachers

• specialist caring skills
• ability to develop innovative teaching strategies
• patience, flexibility and creativity
• ability to motivate and encourage individuals and small groups
• ability to be assertive and cope with children with challenging behaviour.

Training to be an SEN teacher

Before entering special needs teaching, you first need to become a fully qualified teacher and gain several years’ experience. There are in-service and modular training courses, allowing you to specialise while in employment.

Additional qualifications are needed for teaching children with severe hearing or visual impairments.

Salaries for SEN teachers

These are the same as for other teachers, but with additional allowances of up to about £3,500.

Professional bodies

• National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers
• National Association for Special Educational Needs
• National Union of Teachers
• Training and Development Agency for Schools

Related jobs

• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher