How to get into special educational needs teaching and tutoring
If you’re passionate about making a difference in children’s lives, particularly those with different learning needs, a career in Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching and tutoring might be the path for you. This isn’t the easiest role to get into. It can require specific training and qualifications, as well as a personality which can handle the environment you’ll be working in. To help you get into SEN teaching or tutoring, and find out if this is a role suited for you, we’ve put together this guide.
Required Training
To work in the field of Special Educational Needs teaching, you’ll need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is typically achieved by completing a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Science (BSc) with QTS.
For SEN tutoring, this is often not required and you’ll usually just need a degree in the subject you want to tutor in. However, we recommend obtaining a QTS and getting work experience in a school or educational setting. This gives you the relevant skills for tutoring and gives you a better understanding of the educational system and how to teach children.
If you have a bachelor’s degree in any subject, you can gain QTS by completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). If you’re aware that SEN is an area you want to focus in, some courses do offer SEN-specialised teaching.
Specialised Qualifications for Special Educational Needs Teaching
Whilst gaining QTS allows you to teach in any state-maintained school in the UK, having additional qualifications in SEN can be beneficial. Especially if you know this is an area you want to work in.
A National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination is required for those wishing to become Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) in mainstream schools.
Furthermore, a Master’s degree in Special and Inclusive Education or similar can provide a more in-depth understanding of the theoretical aspects of SEN. Further enhancing your expertise and employability.
Gaining Experience
Practical experience is crucial in the field of SEN teaching and tutoring. This could be gained through placements during your teacher training programme, volunteering in SEN schools or settings, or working as a teaching assistant in an SEN environment.
The more exposure you have to different SEN settings, the more equipped you’ll be to handle the various challenges and opportunities this role presents. Catering towards different learning abilities can be hard, and not all can be taught in the same way. By getting exposure to a variety of SEN children you’ll potentially find an area of SEN that you want to focus on within your career.
Skills and Personal Qualities
Beyond formal qualifications and experience, working in SEN teaching requires specific personal qualities. Patience, empathy, creativity, resilience, and excellent communication skills are all crucial.
Each child is unique, and being able to adapt your teaching style to meet their individual needs is a must.
Professional Development
Once you’re qualified and working in the field, continuous professional development (CPD) is important to keep your skills and knowledge up-to-date. This could involve attending workshops or seminars, further study, or undertaking research in a specific area of SEN.
Becoming a Special Educational Needs Tutor
Many children within SEN are not suited to a classroom environment. Often requiring additional or separate study time with a SEN-specialised tutor.
If you wish to focus on one-to-one support, becoming a Special Educational Needs tutor could be an excellent option. Whilst this doesn’t require specific qualifications beyond QTS, having specialised training and experience will be beneficial. As a tutor, you’ll work closely with individual students, providing tailored support to help them reach their full potential.
Powertutors specialises in SEN tutor recruitment, so get in touch with us if this is an area you’re interested in.
Conclusion
Embarking on a career in SEN teaching and tutoring is a rewarding decision that offers the chance to make a significant difference in children’s lives. With the right training, qualifications, and personal qualities, you can provide the support and guidance that can help transform a child’s educational journey.
