Special educational needs (SEN) teacher | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Special educational needs (SEN) teachers work with children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities.

Typical task
Working hours
Attractive values

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Maintain accurate and complete

Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social development.
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
Collaborate with other teachers that provide instruction to special education students to ensure that the students receive appropriate support.
Teach students personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicate those objectives to students.
Guide and counsel students with adjustment or academic problems, or special academic interests.
Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
Prepare for assigned classes and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
Administer standardized ability and achievement tests and interpret results to determine students' strengths and areas of need.
Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
Organize and supervise games and other recreational activities to promote physical, mental, and social development.
Organize and label materials and display students' work.
Perform administrative duties, such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
Supervise, evaluate, and plan assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.

Read more about Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Special educational needs (SEN) teachers typically work around 36 to 38 hours per week.

As a Special educational needs (SEN) teacher you will typically work evenings.

This occupation tends to be:

Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Artistic — Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done

Read more about Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

* from ONETonline

Average salary
34,128 GBP *
per year

* data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average salary for Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

36,670 GBP
33,450 GBP

Average salary for part-time Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Average salary for full-time Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Showing:

19,740 GBP
18,690 GBP

34,128 GBP
33,450 GBP
36,670 GBP

Salary over time for Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Salary for this role has increased over time

34,731 GBP
35,323 GBP
34,601 GBP
34,034 GBP
33,488 GBP
34,978 GBP
34,128 GBP
34,128 GBP
34,439 GBP

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Future outlook for Special educational needs (SEN) teachers

Very good outlook

43 000+ jobs available

Balanced outlook

0% yearly wage growth (on average)

Very good outlook

24% chance of automation in the future

Which qualifications do I need?

Find out what you need to know in order to become a Special educational needs (SEN) teacher and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

In terms of people already doing this job:

47% of people in this role have a Master's degree
41% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
12% of people in this role have some postgraduate study, but not a masters or doctorate

If you're a qualified teacher, you can get extra training to teach pupils with special educational needs. Many local education authorities offer courses for teachers who want to do this.

Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Special educational needs (SEN) teacher

Teaching

What soft skills do I need?

Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Special educational needs (SEN) teacher.

Instructing Teaching others how to do something

Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively

Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making

Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times

Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things

What technical skills do I need?

Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Special educational needs (SEN) teacher. Check that you know:

Computer based training software Text to speech software

Device drivers or system software Screen magnification software; Screen reader software

Electronic mail software Email software

Spell checkers Hand held spell checkers

Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel

Improve your skills today

Teaching

Concern for Others Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. Adaptability/Flexibility Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Self Control Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. Cooperation Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

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Special educational needs (SEN) teacher | Average UK Salary & Outlook

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Future outlook for Special educational needs (SEN) teachers