Which is better ncfe SEN teaching assistant or cache teaching assistant course - Forum

I've heard that the NCFE SEN teaching course is more recognised.... but when i'm looking for a placement they don't seem to be specifically requesting it. I'm not having any luck on the job front though - and thinking i need to redo one of these courses to help me get a job

Hi both,

this is a good question, and it brings up 3 main issues to consider:

1. The awarding organisation body - NCFE vs. CACHE.

This is the body that designs the qualification, which is then delivered by the college or training provider. Both NCFE and CACHE are very well-known and highly respected, so essentially it will be more an issue of personal preference. NCFE is bigger and covers a broader range, serving over 2,000 training organisations, while CACHE is smaller (it serves around 1,000) but has a specific focus on the Care, Health and Education sector.

My advice is: visit the websites and read the course units that are offered as part of their qualifications and think about which one would suit you better. You can then search for providers based on the awarding body that you prefer (though bear in mind that not all providers will offer all accredited units so read the course descriptions carefully too).

2. The qualification Level - Level 3 vs. Level 4.

The level that's right for you will depend on your current level of experience. If you are just starting out, Level 2 is probably the best way forward. Level 3 is more advanced and is more likely to require training and/or assessment in the workplace, so bear that in mind too.

Neither CACHE nor NCFE offer Teaching Assistant qualifications at Level 4 - they only go up to Level 3.

What you will be able to find at Level 4 are some bespoke courses regulated by the NCFE's IIQ licence. Due to the higher level, a lot of thesewill then lead to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Diploma.

3. What you become qualified to do - be a Teaching Assistant vs. a SEN Teaching Assistant.

A Teaching Assistant is qualified to work in a number of different school settings, from nurseries to junior schools and secondary schools. SEN - which stands for Special Educational Needs - is a specialisation designed for those who want to become better equipped to work with children who have learning, physical or behavioural difficulties.

Though this is not required to work in an SEN environment (it is up to the individual employer), it is definitely a good option if you know that this is what you want to do. Otherwise you can opt for a regular TA qualification and then take SEN training as part of your induction when you get a placement or work in a school, if required.

Bear in mind that you can always decide to take a qualification and specialise in this area later on, if that's what you decide you want to do. A lot of providers offer SEN qualifications by distance learning, so you can quite easily fit the training around your work commitments.

Hope this helps to clear up the differences?

Let us know how it goes and best of luck!

Cecilia