Special needs teaching assistant: Job description and activities

Special needs teaching assistants support students with special educational needs (SEN) in the classroom as directed by an SEN teacher in order to help pupils succeed with their learning. SEN teaching assistants can work in a variety of settings including special schools, specialised units attached to a mainstream school or mainstream classrooms working with individual pupils.

The work of a special needs teaching assistant can vary greatly depending on where they are working and the individual needs of the pupils. This could include:

assisting with pupils' physical needs, including hygiene and feeding, as well as assisting with therapy sessions;
helping with pupils' school work under the supervision of an SEN teacher;
helping pupils increase their confidence, self-esteem and independence;
helping pupils who have difficulty communicating with others, including those whose first language is not English.

There may be requirements in some schools for special needs teaching assistants to have additional training and qualifications in specific areas such as sign language for pupils with hearing impairments.

Training is available for special needs teaching assistants and includes:

Special Needs Assistant Certificate (NCFE);
NVQ Levels 2 and 3 for Teaching Assistants.

Teaching assistants can also access specialised training appropriate to the particular pupils they may be working with. This may include sign language, makaton (a form of sign language), behaviour support, training in Easy Read, Augmentative and Alternative Communication, and Braille.

In addition, a certain level of physical fitness may be required to support pupils with physical needs (e.g. helping in physiotherapy sessions or when moving the child).

For more information see Special education needs teacher.

Advert disclaimer

AGCAS