Advice on becoming a SEN TA?

[Sugarplumfairy18]

Hi, I hope I am posting in the correct section but I am desperate for some help/advice.

I am hoping to retrain as a TA, but specifically to support SEN children, either within mainstream or special schools. I have no idea where to start, I have been online and most of the advice seems to be aimed at qualified teaching or early years (nursery assistants etc).

To give a bit of background, I have 3 sons all with SEN themselves. I have been volunteering at my youngest son’s school for a year, working in KS2, specifically with a group of children with additional needs. I began volunteering last year as I wanted to help other children like mine and it was a bit of a test to see whether I liked it
and whether I thought I could hack it, turns out I actually love it and it’s made my mind up that this really is something I want to do. I do appreciate that volunteering is very different to being employed as a TA, but I have made my mind up that this is something I really want to do.

Are there any SEN TA’s on here that can point in the direction of where to start? Would I need to go back to college full time? Or could I do it part time of an evening? Would I need a school placement straight away? Would this have to be an official apprenticeship type placement or could I continue to volunteer and use those hours for my practical experience?

Would really appreciate any help x

I’ve done this as a job,

normally you just apply and they grab you with both hands!

I think technically there are NVQs or similar that you can do but I didn’t do any of them.

It used to vary a lot, one LA to another, but with all sorts of different Academies now, it varies even more as to whether they want you to be qualified or not.
I suspect more still do than don't.
I mean, you'd like to hope so, at least.

There are level 2 and 3 courses in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools which are part time and often done with a school based paid role, apprenticeships or volunteering as you need practical examples to evidence what you are learning. You could then add short courses to specialise further.

If you can come across as reasonably sane and sensible at interview you'll have a great chance of getting a job. Most TA jobs are advertised in the spring (new financial year/planning ahead for next school year) but things change all the time so check your council's website on a regular basis. Good luck!

I'm a teacher and thse jobs are very difficult to fill. Thankless task, lots of abuse.

We can’t employ SEN TAs for love nor money! If, as Getting Festive says, you come across as sensible and willing to learn, with even a modicum of understanding of children with additional needs, I would say go for it! It’s a sad fact that the children who need the most experienced staff usually end up with the most willing, especially if working with SOME ( by no means all) SEN children who can be violent and aggressive.

If you like the school you volunteer in, ask them about TA jobs or taking you on as an apprentice in the first place. They will probably bite your hand off. If they don’t, another school will!
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

My brother is a SEN TA. He was doing a degree in education but dropped out after the first year. He applied for a job instead and got it and he’s doing some sort of TA qualification on the job. He adores his job and is brilliant at it, he’s extremely kind, patient and fun. He’s in a specialist unit that’s part of a mainstream school. The only issue is the pay is crap (and he has a long commute).

Sorry I never thanked everyone for your comments. They were very helpful.

i have actually started a TA course now at college with a placement 2 days a week at my sons school, so hopefully it will work out 🤞🏻x