ANy tips on going into special needs secondary teaching?

[suzywong]

I have a friend who is thining of going into secondary school special needs.  Has anyone got any experience in this - what does she need to know.

TIA

[roisin]

As a specialist SN teacher?
What background is she coming from? (primary/secondary? SN School? Is she already qualified)
Is this a new position, or a replacement?

Our school is appointing a second SN teacher from September, and I do have several comments to make about the set-up and how it's perceived. But need to know a bit more about the scenario.