How to Become an SEN Teacher in the UK
SEN teachers teach children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), such as autism, learning disabilities, speech and language needs, or social, emotional and mental health needs. You might work in a special school, a resource base inside a mainstream school or alternative provision, adapting lessons, leading support staff and working with parents and therapists.
In England you will normally need qualified teacher status (QTS), which means a degree plus teacher training. Most SEN teachers then build experience in SEND settings, and some go on to lead SEND provision as a school's SENCO.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £30,000 - £36,000
- Mid-career salary
- £38,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £70,000
- Work environment
- Office, community or institutional setting
- Time to entry
- 3 - 5 years (QTS + experience)
- Degree required
- Required
- Category
- Public Sector and Emergency Services
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Stable careers.
What a SEN Teacher does
Teach children with special educational needs in mainstream or specialist settings.
How to become an SEN teacher in the UK
There is no separate SEN teaching qualification you must hold first. In England you normally need a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS), gained through postgraduate teacher training such as a PGCE or school-centred route, an undergraduate degree with QTS, or a teacher degree apprenticeship. Teachers in Scotland register with the GTCS, in Wales with the EWC and in Northern Ireland with the GTCNI. Experience as a teaching assistant or SEND support worker helps a lot. Teachers of pupils with hearing, vision or multi-sensory impairment must gain a mandatory specialist qualification, and newly appointed SENCOs in England must complete the NPQ for SENCOs.
- Get experience with children with SEND before training, for example as a teaching assistant, SEND support worker, playscheme volunteer or respite care worker.
- Check you meet teacher training entry requirements in England, usually a degree plus GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above, and science for primary.
- Apply for teacher training with QTS, such as a PGCE or school-centred route, and ask for placements that include a special school or resource base.
- Learn SEND practice in depth, including the SEND Code of Practice and EHC plans in England, communication approaches and positive behaviour support.
- Complete your early career teacher induction, ideally in a school with strong SEND provision, then apply for posts in special schools or specialist units.
- Consider further training, such as the mandatory qualification for sensory impairment, or the NPQ for SENCOs if you want to lead SEND across a school.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate teacher training (PGCE or school-centred) | 1 year full-time | Tuition fee loan, bursaries in some subjects | Graduates with SEND experience |
| Undergraduate degree with QTS | 3-4 years | Tuition fee loan | School leavers set on teaching |
| Teacher degree apprenticeship | About 4 years | Paid by the school | Earning while you qualify without a degree |
| Teaching assistant first, then teacher training | 1-2 years before training | Paid work | Testing SEND work before committing |
How long it takes
Expect three to five years from starting a degree to teaching in an SEN role, including teacher training and building SEND experience. If you already have a degree, teacher training takes about a year.
SEN Teacher salary in the UK
SEN teachers are paid on the same pay scales as other teachers, usually starting around £30,000 to £36,000 depending on location. With experience, pay rises to about £38,000 to £48,000, and senior leaders, SENCOs and heads of special schools reach £55,000 to £70,000. In England, teachers in special schools and some specialist SEND posts in mainstream schools also receive an SEN allowance on top of salary. London weighting, school type and leadership responsibility are the other main drivers of pay.
Key skills
- SEND expertise
- Differentiation
- Patience
- Safeguarding
- Multi-agency
SEN Teacher FAQs
How do I become an SEN teacher?
Get a degree and qualified teacher status through teacher training, building SEND experience along the way, for example as a teaching assistant. After your early career teacher induction, apply for posts in special schools, resource bases or SEND units. Further specialist qualifications can follow.
Do you need a special qualification to be an SEN teacher?
Not usually. Qualified teacher status is the main requirement. The exceptions are teachers of pupils with hearing, vision or multi-sensory impairment, who need a mandatory specialist qualification, and newly appointed SENCOs in England, who must complete the NPQ for SENCOs.
How much does an SEN teacher earn?
SEN teachers usually start around £30,000 to £36,000 on standard teacher pay scales. Experienced teachers earn £38,000 to £48,000, and senior leaders or SENCOs reach £55,000 to £70,000. In England, an SEN allowance is often paid on top in special schools.
Can I work in SEN without being a teacher?
Yes. You can work as a teaching assistant, SEND support worker or learning mentor without QTS, and many SEN teachers start this way. These roles give you experience that teacher training providers and special schools value highly.
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