
What is the role of an SEN teacher?
Working as a teacher for children with special educational needs (SEN)
can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers in education.
With the amount of
students with special education needs increasing annually
, SEN teachers are now more important than ever.
Every day presents a new challenge and new responsibilities for a special education teacher. SEN teachers are required to create and apply specific teaching techniques and produce activities that are specific to each student’s abilities and needs. They also involve themselves in each student’s academic, social and behavioural development.
A special educational needs teacher’s experience can often differ from school to school, but most roles will require a core set of responsibilities. Here’s everything you need to know about the roles and responsibilities of an SEN teacher.
Developing Individualised Education Programs (IEPs)
IEPs are education plans created specifically for a special education needs child by teachers, professionals, and members of their family. IEPs are developed to focus on the child’s strengths and weaknesses and outlines the steps necessary to ensure that lessons will help to improve priority areas. An IEP will often include:
The extent of the child’s learning difficulties
Advice on what help should be provided
Who will provide help
What programmes or materials will be used
The support required from parents at home
Special needs educators play a crucial role in formulating IEPs for students. The teacher will have to set out measurable and specific goals for the child to attain, based on the information that they get from the parents and other professionals. It is important to ensure that these goals aren’t too vague or too broad. Breaking down goals into smaller steps makes them more achievable, helping children gain a sense of accomplishment and improved confidence.
Liaising with others involved in the child's well-being
SEN teachers are regularly involved in multiple aspects of their pupils’ lives. They work very closely with parents to keep them updated on their child’s progress and to advise them on how to stimulate learning at home. An SEN teacher will also typically ask for information about anything important that may have happened at home, including behavioural changes or updates from medical professionals.
Educators will also need to coordinate with the child’s social worker, school psychologist, occupational and physical therapist, and school administrators. By keeping in regular communication with each of the figures in the student’s life, an SEN teacher will be able to take a more tailored approach to their education and devise a more efficient plan.
Planning dynamic lessons
Lesson planning makes up a large portion of the day for special education teachers. With such diversity within every classroom , each lesson needs to cater to pupils’ individual needs. SEN teachers often teach groups of around 12 students, each with different abilities and requirements.
The very best teachers have an arsenal of dynamic lesson plans that they can adapt to suit their pupils. This may involve teaching similar material in different ways to help individuals understand and learn.
Many SEN teachers use special equipment and facilities, such as audio-visual materials and computers to make lessons more interactive. Teaching children with SEN requires more than a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and the more adaptable the plan, the better.
Find an SEN teaching job with Teaching Personnel
Whether you’re looking for your next teaching position in a primary school, secondary school or as a learning support assistant, our experienced and dedicated SEN branches and consultants can help you take your next step in a truly enriching and fulfilling career path.
View our special needs teacher jobs and SEN support teacher jobs to explore the specialist roles we are looking to fill.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
KS2 Teacher – Barnsley | Full-Time | September Start or Immediate Are you a passionate and dedicated Key Stage 2 Teacher looking for your next role in a supportive and engaging primary school setti
Reference
s59987
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
KS2 Teacher – Barnsley | Full-Time | September Start or Immediate Are you a passionate and dedicated Key Stage 2 Teacher looking for your next role in a supportive and engaging primary school setti
Reference
s55667
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£89.83 - 100.00 per day
Location free text
Barnsley
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
South Yorkshire
Description
KS2 Teacher – Barnsley | Full-Time | September Start or Immediate Are you a passionate and dedicated Key Stage 2 Teacher looking for your next role in a supportive and engaging primary school setti
Reference
S12134
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£140 - 240 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£500 - £749 per week
Sector
Maths
Location
Sheffield
Description
ob Advert: Secondary Geography Teacher Location: Sheffield Start Date: September 2025 Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent (or specify if fixed-term) Salary: MPS/UPS (dependent on experience)Join Our T
Reference
JH1261
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield NorthAuthor
Sheffield NorthSalary
£83.85 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Lowestoft
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Suffolk
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant – Lowestoft, Suffolk! Make a Difference Every Day! Are you passionate about supporting children with special educational needs? We’re on the hunt for energetic, dedicated SEN T
Reference
SENTALoweJune
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£83.85 - 95.00 per day
Location free text
Norwich
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEN General
Location
Norwich
Description
SEN Teaching Assistant Make a Difference Every Day! Are you passionate about supporting children with special educational needs? We’re on the hunt for energetic, dedicated SEN Teaching Assistants to
Reference
SENTAAcorn
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£13.75 - 13.75 per hour
Location free text
Blandford Forum
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Blandford
Description
Location: Blandford Forum with occasional travel to Poole Contract: Full-Time | Term-Time Only | Starting September Opportunity for Permanent EmploymentMake a Real Impact Where It Matters MostAre you
Reference
LWSENBFTA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£89 - 100 per day + Additional Training
Location free text
Bristol
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEND Support
Location
Bristol
Description
Unqualified 1 to 1 SEN Learning support assistant.Locations – Bristol Bath and GloucestershireFull time position availableDaily rate - £89 – £100Teaching personnel are currently on the look out for p
Reference
1on1LSA
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Bristol SENAuthor
Bristol SENSalary
£13.75 - 13.75 per hour
Location free text
Salisbury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
SEMH
Location
Salisbury
Description
We are looking for a caring, resilient, and motivated Learning Support Assistant to join our dedicated school in Salisbury, a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) setting committed to
Reference
LWSEMHSal
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset SENAuthor
Dorset SENSalary
£20 - 30 per hour
Location free text
London
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Special Needs
Location
London
Description
ESOL Tutors Required Here at TP Tutors we are actively recruiting for ESOL Tutors in your area!Our ESOL Tutors typically work with students between the ages 11-18, however students can be as young as
Reference
GP13062025L
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Related posts

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Unpacking SEND reform: Where are we now and what’s coming next? A rapid rise in pupils diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, social, emotional, and mental health needs (including ADHD), as

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
What do schools need to know this term? Change is constant in the education sector, and this term is no different. From Ofsted and pay reviews, to structural shifts like RISE and curriculum refo
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The True Worth of Professional Exam Invigilation When schools and colleges across England and Wales prepare for examination periods, the pressure to maintain JCQ compliance while ensuring fair ass
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
With the Easter break and end of term coming up, it’s time to get your payroll sorted! Our Payroll team has outlined the key dates you need to ensure you receive your pay on time. Check out the ta
by
Zuzana Vrtalova

Teaser
Special Educational NeedsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
The landscape of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is transforming. The number of pupils in the UK with special educational needs (SEN) has increased over the last five years. Toda
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
As Spring approaches, it's a critical date for many teachers in the UK who may be contemplating their professional future ahead of the February 28th resignation deadline. While teaching remains on
by
Adam Davies

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD02YY
Summary
Teaching assistants support teachers and students in the classroom. The role is invaluable and continues to grow in importance as school environments become larger and more diverse. In fact, teach
by
West Yorkshire Primary

Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
When you worked as a teacher, you may have looked forward to retirement, as it meant having more time for leisurely activities or spending more time with loved ones. However, the novelty of retire

by
Scott Owen
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
In the last three years, the likelihood of young people having mental health problems has increased by 50%. According to a report by The Health Foundation, one in six children aged six to 16 in Englan

by
Scott Owen
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job