Special Education Teachers

A Special Education Needs (SEN) Teacher teaches students who have disabilities, and adapts teaching methods to meet the needs of students. Assesses students and helps to develop individualized education plans that specify the services and accommodations needed for each student. Works in a classroom that includes only students with IEPs, or works with students and teachers in regular classes. For students with severe disabilities, may focus on developing skills for independent living. Works as part of a team that includes therapists, school counsellors or social workers.

About this Career

Average Salary

£27,345

New workers start at around £12,101. Normal pay is £27,345 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £40,380

Annual Openings

118

Job counts include both employed and self-employed persons in London, and do not distinguish between full and part-time jobs

Daily Tasks

  • Discusses student’s progress with parents and other teaching professionals.
  • Updates and maintains students’ records to monitor development and progress.
  • Liaises with other professionals, such as social workers, speech and language therapists and educational psychologists.
  • Supervises students in classroom and maintains discipline.
  • Prepares, assigns and corrects exercises to record and evaluate students’ progress.
  • Encourages the student to develop self-help skills to circumvent the limitations imposed by their disability.
  • Develops and adapts conventional teaching methods to meet the individual student’s needs.
  • Gives instruction, using techniques appropriate to the student’s disability.
  • Assesses student’s abilities, identifies student’s needs and devises curriculum and rota of teaching duties accordingly.
  • Creates a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment for students.

Skills Employers are looking for

Skills Importance
Learning Strategies 83%
Monitoring 73%
Active Listening 70%
Reading Comprehension 70%
Speaking 68%
Writing 68%
Active Learning 66%
Critical Thinking 65%
Mathematics 54%
Science 34%