SEN Teaching Assistant Course

SEN Teaching Assistant – Online Course

Course overview
This online course introduces the role of a teaching assistant in supporting pupils with special educational needs. It covers in-class and one-to-one support, differentiation and access, supporting pupils’ behaviour and mental health, and common types of special educational need, with classroom strategies for each. The course takes one hour and is CPD accredited.

Please note: this is an introductory, Level 1 course that builds awareness and foundational knowledge. It does not replace any formal teaching assistant qualifications or any practical, specialist or role-specific training an employer may require.

What the course covers
– The role of a teaching assistant and the four professional standards for teaching assistants
– High expectations for all learners
– In-class support and one-to-one support
– Differentiation and access
– Supporting pupils with anxiety and mental health needs
– Supporting pupils with challenging behaviour and responding to inappropriate behaviour
– Autistic spectrum disorder and Asperger’s syndrome, including common characteristics and classroom strategies
– ADHD, including common symptoms, the impact on learning and social development, and classroom strategies
– Dyslexia and specific learning difficulties, including common characteristics and support strategies
– Moderate learning difficulties and how to support learners
– Attachment disorders and oppositional defiant disorder
– Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) and support strategies
– Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN)

Who is it for?
The course is written at an introductory level for people who support children and young people with special educational needs in the UK. It is appropriate for:
– Existing and aspiring SEN teaching assistants
– Support staff in mainstream and special schools
– Nursery and early years support staff
– SENCOs and educational support coordinators
– Further education support workers
– Volunteers and home tutors
– Training providers and educational consultants
– Parents and carers interested in classroom support

It can be used for induction, refresher training, awareness or to enhance existing knowledge.

Practical benefits
– Understand the responsibilities and professional standards of the teaching assistant role
– Recognise common characteristics of a range of special educational needs
– Use classroom strategies to support pupils’ engagement and progress
– Support positive behaviour and pupils’ emotional wellbeing
– Contribute to personalised learning and inclusive practice
– Gain evidence of awareness and knowledge for inductions and refresher training
– Receive a CPD-accredited certificate for professional development

What learners will be able to do
– Explain key principles and terminology relating to the SEN teaching assistant role
– Recognise why the subject matters in day-to-day practice
– Identify common risks, concerns and situations linked to supporting pupils with SEN
– Understand individual responsibilities and role boundaries
– Apply good-practice principles in workplace situations
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