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)

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.