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This is an article about the SEND provision for Children and Young People in primary and secondary schools in the UK, where we explore how to become a SEND Teacher. We cover:
What does Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) mean?
A school or nursery may use the term 'SEN' or 'SEND'. Although they are often used interchangeably, they do differ. As defined by Sense, "The term SEND includes all children with disabilities, even if they might not have special educational needs. SEN focuses on children with special educational needs, not necessarily with disabilities.
Not all people with special educational needs have disabilities. And not everyone with disabilities has SEN”.
Having SEND can affect a child or young person’s ability to learn. This can affect their:
Ability to socialise and behaviour
Reading and writing, for example: they have dyslexia
Ability to understand things
Concentration levels, for example: they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Physical ability
The SEND Code of Practice 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014 gives guidance to ensure that children and young people with SEND received the support that they need.
The first step in accessing this support comes from making an application for an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC) to the local council.
How are children and young people with SEND supported in mainstream schools?
Every child with SEND can expect support from all schools, not only in special schools. The level of provision in each school varies with some having smaller classrooms available for SEND students whereas others may have a separate building and facility available.
Within all mainstream schools, a young person with SEND can be given SEN support, for example, speech therapy. It is possible that SEN support can be given without an EHC Plan in place, however if a child or young person requires more support than their school provides, then an EHC Plan may be needed. A school SENCO (Special Education Needs Co-ordinator) can offer advice and guidance on this process.
Special Schools: what are they?
Special schools are for children and young people with complex and significant learning needs that cannot be met in the mainstream school.
While many children and young people with SEND will thrive in mainstream school, some will benefit from attending a special school.
Details of these schools can be accessed via the local council where you live.
How can I become a SEND Teacher?
Teachers who focus on supporting pupils with SEND may be referred to as SEND teachers, but all teachers teach children with complex needs. All teacher training courses cover teaching students with SEND.
To become a SEND Teacher, you will need to be educated to degree level and then achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). You need qualified teacher status (QTS) to teach in primary, secondary and special schools in England. These are schools funded by local authorities.
What do I need to do to become a qualified teacher?
Have passes in GCSE Maths, English and Science
Have A-Levels (or equivalent) that are accepted by universities and UCAS
Complete an undergraduate degree
Complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) (if your degree does not include this – some do).
Once you have your qualified teacher status (QTS), you can then choose to specialise in teaching pupils with special educational needs and disabilities by either:
Teaching in a special school
Becoming a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCo)
Completing a post QTS qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI) that enables you to teach pupils with hearing impairments, vision impairments or multi-sensory impairments needs.
How much can a SEND Teacher and SENDCo earn?
NASUWT, the Teachers’ Union, gives the pay scale for a qualified teacher (1 September- August 2025) is £31,650 - £49,084 per annum.
The set SEN allowance for this period ranges from an additional £2,679 - £5,285 per annum.
Find out more about SEND jobs with 3D Recruit:
You can find out about our latest SEND teaching jobs by downloading the 3D Recruit App or getting in touch with our SEND Recruitment Consultant Natalie Pavitt.
Find out how 3D Recruit are supporting Education Futures Trust (EFT), who provide Speech & Language and Literacy intervention within primary schools, at the Hastings Half Marathon 2025!'
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