SEN Teaching Assistant

Key Benefits:

• Gain essential knowledge of autism, ADHD, and other special educational needs.
• Learn practical strategies for supporting learning and promoting inclusion in diverse settings.
• Develop the skills to manage behaviour and build positive relationships.
• Secure a guaranteed job interview with our dedicated career support.
• No previous SEN experience is needed to apply.

Ready for a specialist career with purpose in York & North Yorkshire?

The diverse York & North Yorkshire region, spanning from the city of York to coastal Scarborough and rural Richmondshire, has a recognised need for skilled SEN Teaching Assistants in the area. Schools across the region are seeking caring, dedicated adults who can provide tailored support to help every child thrive in their local community. This SEN Teaching Assistant Course gives you the specialist knowledge and practical skills to become a confident SEN professional, preparing you for a vital and deeply rewarding role close to home.

This specialist SEN Teaching Assistant Course is available to learners across the entire York & North Yorkshire region. Our programme is open to residents in the city of York, Scarborough, Whitby, Richmond, Thirsk, Malton, Harrogate, Selby, Northallerton, and all surrounding rural and coastal communities. The 100% online delivery makes this SEN Teaching Assistant Course Online accessible to everyone, allowing you to gain these in-demand skills from home, whether you’re based in an urban centre or a remote village.

What you'll learn on the SEN Teaching Assistant Course in York & North Yorkshire

This funded Level 2 SEN Teaching Assistant Course focuses on the real-world skills needed to support children with special educational needs effectively in diverse educational settings. It is designed to help you feel confident and prepared to make a real difference in your local schools.

Qualifications earned:

• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties

Understand Behaviour that Challenges:

Explore the causes of challenging behaviours, their underlying factors, and how these behaviours impact learning. This unit teaches de-escalation techniques and constructive strategies to manage behaviour, helping you distinguish between conflict and behaviour that challenges.

Introduction to Autism:

Gain a comprehensive introduction to autism, covering key definitions, theories, and common misconceptions. You will explore why autism is considered a spectrum condition and learn to recognise and support individuals with commonly co-occurring conditions.

Understand How to Support Positive Behaviour:

Develop skills to use a person-centred approach to support positive behaviour. This unit focuses on promoting self-regulation and independence, exploring the advantages of proactive strategies to maintain a supportive environment.

Supporting Positive Behaviour in Autistic Individuals:

Delve deeper into behaviour management specifically for autistic individuals. You will develop effective coping strategies using positive reinforcement techniques tailored to the unique needs of autistic students, helping to foster better learning outcomes.

Understand the Importance of Effective Communication and the Management of Behaviour that Challenges:

Focus on powerful verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to improve interactions with children with SEN. You will explore communication barriers and learn how to adapt your approach to de-escalate difficult situations.

Sensory Processing, Perception, and Cognition in Individuals with Autism:

Explore the sensory processing and cognitive differences experienced by individuals with autism. This unit teaches practical strategies to support sensory needs, create low-arousal environments, and understand how sensory differences can impact learning and learning outcomes.

Understand the Role of Reflection and Support for Those Involved in Incidents of Behaviour that Challenges:

Highlight the importance of reflection, self-care, and resilience for educators. You will explore proven strategies to maintain your own well-being and reflect on past incidents to improve future responses.

Supporting Autistic Individuals to Live Healthy and Fulfilled Lives:

Gain the skills to help autistic individuals through significant life transitions and in accessing necessary services. The focus is on promoting personal safety and autonomy to improve long-term life outcomes.

Why Choose Our SEN Teaching Assistant York?

The York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority has identified education and skills as a key regional priority, with a focus on embedding transferable skills and unlocking under-utilised talent. Our partnership with YNYCA ensures that this SEN Teaching Assistant Course directly meets the need for specialist support staff in schools from York to Whitby. This course provides the exact specialist qualifications that local schools value, making you highly employable in this rewarding sector across the region.

Entry-level roles (starting salary: £18,000–£23,500):

• SEN Teaching Assistant.
• Learning Support Assistant (SEN).
• Inclusion Assistant.

Mid-level roles (typical salary: £22,000–£27,000):

• SEN Specialist.
• Behaviour Support Assistant.
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant (SEN).

Senior roles (typical salary: £27,000+):

• SEN Coordinator
• Inclusion Manager.
• Assistant SENCO.

Our Support Includes:

• A dedicated one-to-one Success Coach to guide you through your studies.
• An online learning platform with high-quality resources available 24/7.
• Help with your CV and interview skills from our expert Employment Coaches.
• Personal career guidance to help you find and apply for SEN jobs in York & North Yorkshire.

This course is funded by the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) Adult Skills Fund, helping you start a new career without financial worry. For eligible learners, the course is available at no cost.

To join this course, you generally need to:

• Be aged 19 or over
• Live in the York & North Yorkshire region
• Have the right to work and study in the UK
• Be able to commit to the 12-week online course
• Be motivated to work in the education and child support sector

Level 2 SEN Teaching Assistant Course

Duration

12 Weeks

Includes

• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges
• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties