Does my daughters job seem right to you?

[sloppyjoe]

Is it right that you can go straight in as a HLTA if you've never worked in a school before?
Background info - DD first school job. SEND school position, she has a degree in SEN and disabillity studies plus experience working with SEND kids 1-2-1.

Absolutely with that experience and knowledge.

Oh ok, thanks. I though to be a HLTA you had to pass certain exams. Fair enough then.

Yes I think with those qualifications, that would be reasonable. They far surpass what an NVQ would cover.

She's more than qualified for the role of HLTA 🙂

Thanks. She's hoping to get on a scheme to get her qualified teacher status over time. Apparently they discussed it during the interview.

I was just surprised she went straight in as a HL. She'll have a budget to manage as well!! (which will be interesting!!!)

There is a nationally recognised ‘HLTA status’ but there is no requirement to hold this to take up a HLTA role. The headteacher has the discretion to judge whether the candidate’s skills and experience are sufficient. There are also HLTA qualifications available but they tend to be L4. As your daughter holds a L6 qualification in SEND she is more than qualified and I suspect the headteacher was thrilled to receive her application!

Ah I see. So it's kind of level based, and her degree is above the HLTA level?
Has she undersold herself then? How long does it take to get QTS on the job?

Not necessarily. Is it her intention to become a SEN teacher? Did she consider a PGCE?

I would assume that the plan is to put her through a SCITT to gain QTS, which usually takes a year. She may have to wait until September 2027 to start, however, unless she is already registered.

Yes, that's right. Her degree is a higher qualification than the HLTA qualification (which isn't even essential to carry out the role).

I wouldn't say she's undersold herself as it will be vital experience for a year She can gain QTS through the SKITT program and it will take 1 year. Alternatively, she could do a PGCE but that would mean leaving this job as that is university based. The SKITT pathway is training on the job, so she should be able to carry it out at her current school if they are keen to support her through the process.

Yep - your daughter is more than qualified for the role. In fact, I’d consider her for a SEN Manager role or SENCO.

Oh brilliant then. So she could get her feet under the table for a bit, and then look to progress upwards.

Personally, I always thought she should go into training up SENCO's. But only because we met several terrible ones during her own schooling, who didn't seem to understand the whole picture of trying to get a sen kid (my dd) to go to school!
I'm super proud of what she is achieving now.

If she wants to be or to train SENCOs, then she will need QTS and to complete ECT induction, which will take a further two years. She will also have to complete the NPQSENCO qualification but that will come further down the line.

You need QTS to be a SENCO, as well as an additional qualification gained on the job. It's definitely something for her to aim for I'm the future though.

Good luck to her, OP.