As a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher you will work with students with physical, sensory, mental health or learning disabilities. Students may have a combination of different needs or a condition that means they learn differently from others. Not all students with a disability will require additional support. All students are assessed to ensure early identification of those who might need support. Some students who are known to have special needs may require some additional support and a few students will need intensive individual support.
You can work in a range of settings from special education schools, primary and secondary schools with students from five to eighteen years of age. Students may be taught in a mainstream class with additional support classes or in the case of students with e.g. autistic spectrum disorder in special classes where the teacher-pupil ratio is reduced. There are also special education schools for students with moderate general learning disabilities where the number of students is small.
You will work closely with school management, teachers and the pastoral care team to set goals and plan effective short or long term interventions to maximise positive outcomes for your students. This will involve planning a differentiated curriculum to meet your students’ individual needs. As well as administering psychometric tests you will organise support classes. You may get involved in clubs and extra-curricular activities to develop your students’ social skills. You will prepare lessons and teach students one to one or in small groups, often coteaching with a colleague. You may use assistive technology or IT. In secondary schools you will work with year heads, form tutors, subject teachers and the guidance counsellor. You will apply for accommodations in school and state exams to support your students' learning. You will liaise with Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) who are assigned to students under your care. SNAs work with students who have significant needs and provide supports to meet their individual requirements.
Excellent listening and communications skills are vital to engage your students and work closely with parents/guardians to discuss their progress and any areas of concern. You will devise student support plans and in the case of students with significant difficulties may consult with professionals in the national educational psychological service, child and adolescent mental health services, speech and language therapists and occupational therapists.
Working in SEN is challenging and highly rewarding. As well as good organisational and planning skills you should be resourceful, creative and energetic. The role calls for a patient, friendly nature and good people skills that will enable you to build a trusting relationship with your students. You should be capable of maintaining discipline whilst always encouraging and building your students confidence to realise their potential.
To work in SEN you must first qualify as a primary or secondary school teacher and be registered with the Teaching Council. Further information is available from How to become a teacher | The Teaching Council. While not a requirement to work in SEN, a one year part-time Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs is open to qualified teachers who provide learning support in mainstream and special education schools. Information on course providers and how to apply is available here. You may decide to continue your studies and progress to e.g. M.Ed Master in Education, MSc Disability or Master in Autism.
The National Council for Special Education provides continuous professional development seminars covering a wide range of programmes in behavior, autism, literacy and supporting diverse students. Middletown Centre for Autism also run a number of courses in addition to a Certificate, Diploma, and MA in Autism.
Other career options include Special Educational Needs Organiser, Visiting Teacher, Assistive Technology, Home Tuition, Home School Liaison, Access Officer at a college or university, Education and Management, Higher Education e.g. Masters qualification.
Further information on a career in this sector is available here;
Teacher - Special Educational Needs
Educational Supports for Students with Special Educational Needs
A range of common educational supports are in place in Primary, Secondary, Further and Higher education for students with specific learning disabilities (or should this read special educational needs?)
A student who has been receiving special education support while in Primary School is eligible for continuation of the same general provisions in Secondary School, once they continue to have a special educational need. This typically includes specialist teaching from a Special Education teacher. This support is based on need, with the number of hours of support determined by the Individual Education Plan (IEP) drawn up in the last year of primary school.
Reasonable Accomodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE)
The RACE scheme aims to assist students who are at a disadvantage due to a disability, by facilitating access to the state certificate examinations such as the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate in Secondary school. The scheme has been the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent months and is currently undergoing changes.
Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) Scheme
DARE is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their secondary school education.
There are a wide range of supports available for students with a disability in further and higher education. The Disability/Access Officer of the college or university can advise on eligibility and how to apply. These can include priority registration, examination provisions, assistive technology, a reader or notetaker service to name but a few. Further information on the range of supports is available in our section on Third Level Supports.