Five Great Reasons to Work in a SEN School

David Rennie
2 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 19 hours ago

Find out more about working in a SEN school.

Teaching Assistant and child in wheelchair

Working in a SEN school (Special Educational Needs) is more than a job. It can be a meaningful career where you help shape young lives. Whether you're an experienced educator or someone exploring a new direction, working in a SEN setting offers professional growth, deep rewards, and the chance to make a difference.

In this blog, we’ll explore what SEN means, the different types of SEN school settings, and five powerful reasons why this path might be perfect for you.

What is SEN(D)

SEN, or SEND, stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. It refers to children and young people who need additional support to access education due to learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or emotional and behavioural needs.

The four broad areas of SEN include:

Communication and Interaction
Cognition and Learning
Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Sensory and/or Physical Needs

Many pupils with SEND have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and may receive 1:1 support from teaching assistants, therapists, or other trained professionals.

What are the different provisions for SEN students?

SEN support is provided in a range of settings, including:

Mainstream schools with SEN units or dedicated support staff
SEN schools for pupils with complex or severe needs
PRUs (Pupil Referral Units) for students who cannot attend mainstream school

Some children receive support in small groups or through individualised learning plans, often outside the traditional classroom, to make learning more accessible.

Five Reasons to Work in a SEN School

You will have fun

Working in a SEN school is not all serious.

It can be a lot of fun! SEN students often respond well to creative and playful learning styles. You’ll use music, art, sensory activities, and games to help them grow. No two days are the same, and the joy you’ll see in your students makes every challenge worthwhile.

See your impact every day

Progress in SEN settings often looks different from mainstream education. It could be a child saying their first word, making eye contact, or completing a simple task independently. These achievements might seem small. But for SEN students, they represent real success. And for you, they show just how much of an impact your work makes each day.

SEND is rewarding

Helping a child overcome barriers to learning is one of the most rewarding parts of working in a SEN school. You’ll form strong bonds with pupils and celebrate their milestones, both big and small. Your role helps build their confidence, skills, and independence for the future.

Constant learning

Working in a SEN school pushes you to keep learning. Every student is unique, and you’ll constantly adapt your strategies to meet different needs. You’ll gain new skills in communication, behaviour management, and teamwork. Over time, you become not just a better teaching assistant but a more empathetic and patient person.

Career development and new roles

The demand for SEN staff is growing each year. In 2022, over 1.49 million pupils in the UK were identified with SEN, representing 16.5% of all students.

Because of this, working in a SEN school opens doors to a wide range of roles and career progression:

SEN Teaching Assistant
SEN Teacher
SENCO or Inclusion Lead
Behaviour Mentor
Specialist Support Worker
Lecturer in further or higher education

Answering your important questions

Can you specialise in SEND?

There’s a wide variety of needs in SEN education, including:

Autism and ADHD
Speech and language difficulties
Sensory processing challenges
Physical impairments
Emotional and mental health conditions

With time and training, you may choose to specialise in a specific area. You might go on to become a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), therapist, or trainer, supporting pupils and staff alike.

What training is available?

Inspiring Teaching offers access to over 20 online courses to help you get started or progress in your SEN career. You can develop your personal and professional skills for FREE with courses covering everything from Bullying Awareness to Student Mental Well-being training.

What experience do you need?

A common myth is that you need lots of experience to work in a SEN school. In truth, while experience helps, schools are looking for:

A genuine interest in supporting children with complex needs
A positive attitude
Willingness to learn and take direction
Strong resilience and emotional awareness

Our staff come from a variety of work backgrounds, so if you’re passionate about helping others, don’t let a lack of experience stop you from applying.

What support is available to me?

If you’re working with Inspiring Teaching, you won’t be alone. We provide:

Ongoing support and career advice
Access to additional training
Help finding the right school for you
Regular check-ins and feedback

We believe everyone deserves the tools to succeed, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Working in a SEN school is a career like no other. It’s challenging, but it’s also inspiring, joyful, and deeply rewarding. If you want to make a difference and grow professionally while doing so, this could be the perfect path for you.

Check out our Day in The Life and Top Tips blog posts for more information on working as a Teaching Assistant.