Working In Special Education: 5 Things You Need To Know
Working In Special Education: 5 Things You Need To Know
If you are new to working in the SEND industry or have just started to apply for your first role, it can be a very nerve-wrenching time. Working in SEND can definitely be challenging, but there are a wealth of benefits for those who focus on this specialism too. That said, to ensure you are prepared, it is important to get a good idea of what to expect before you start your new role or apply for jobs within this arena.
Going in prepared is essential, helping you get off to a great start! To help with this, we’ve put together a list of the top five things you need to know about working in special education.
- There Will Be Stress.
Stress is unavoidable in almost every career path, and working with SEND students will undoubtedly have its high and low moments. There are many reasons you may experience stress, whether it’s caused by trying to manage difficult student behaviour or keeping your class on target. The planning and marking processes in schools are another common cause of stress for teachers, and the pressure to organise every element and provide extra help where possible to pupils can become consuming. Also, it’s worth being aware that SEN children can experience ‘meltdowns’ . If you have not dealt with a meltdown before, it can be scary. The best thing for you to do is to remain calm and in control at all times. These situations can be stressful, but they’re manageable as well.
Stress can be combated, though, and by articulating when you are struggling and being open with your colleagues, you can better manage your workload and gain additional support. Patience is a key skill when working in Special Education and one you’ll need to perfect over time.
- Online Reporting Is Essential.
For special needs teachers, teaching assistants, and every other education professional in this industry, it is essential to record the progress of your students. In fact, you may even have more reporting to do than most other professionals due to how progress is measured. Special needs children learn at a different rate from other children, so a plan needs to be put in place to help set and track learning goals and objectives. This requires you to fill out forms and regularly record their progress, something that takes time to complete. Although this is the case, online reporting has now become easier with the introduction of recording tools at your fingertips. So, although the reporting aspect of your job may be time-consuming, implementing these online recording and reporting tools can help make it a whole lot easier!
- There Are More Unofficial Duties.
As someone who works in SEN, your role may be titled as “ Teacher ”, “ Teaching Assistant ”, or “ Tutor ”. But you’ll also be an advocate, coordinator and counsellor in many aspects as well. Parents will come directly to you and ask about their children to see how they’re doing, and you may be expected to counsel and educate them unofficially.
It can feel that you are spinning multiple plates at a time because of how many different roles you have to play when working in the SEN industry. Working with students with disabilities or special needs takes a lot of effort on your part - you’re helping to set them up for life, after all, and it’s important to remember that even though the unofficial duties might seem draining, they are also really important. You can help a worried parent to feel comfortable and confident in the care their child is receiving.
- There Are Different Types Of SEN Students.
Special educational needs don’t just cover one type of student. It covers a wide range of students who all require different types of attention. This could be ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, SLCN, Cerebral Palsy, SEMH, Physical Disabilities or Sensory Impairments. As an SEN professional, it is your duty to be flexible and accommodate the needs of all students so they can learn with ease. There’s no ‘typical’ type of student within the SEN industry. So it’s important that you’re able to understand their needs, support their unique requirements, and help them learn on a daily basis so they can properly develop. The key is to be realistic and know what you’re getting yourself into. Invest time into understanding your students' conditions, and remember that the benefits far outweigh the negatives!
- Helping SEN Children Is Very Rewarding.
After all is said and done, working with special needs children can be incredibly rewarding due to how much of an impact you have on their lives. Without SEN provision, children with special needs wouldn’t be able to learn or develop into the important members of society that they ultimately become! The job you do is essential, life-changing and very gratifying.
Knowing that you’ve had an impact on someone’s life for the better is the best feeling ever! Not only that, but it also opens doors to new roles which require resilient staff with specific skills who are able to handle everything set before them. So, if you’re moving into the SEN sector, just know how rewarding it really can be!
Looking For A Career In SEND?
If you are looking to start a career in SEND or find a new role, create a Senploy profile and browse our wide selection of open positions. Our job search tool has been developed to help job seekers find SEND positions with ease, giving them the ability to filter by location, job title, salary, and so much more! Visit our website to find your dream job.