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SEN Teaching Assistant Course
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The SEN Teaching Assistant Course introduces practical approaches to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It covers autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning difficulties, emotional wellbeing, behaviour and communication needs.
Designed for teaching assistants and education support staff, this online training helps learners adapt classroom activities, provide effective one-to-one support and contribute to inclusive learning environments.
SEN Teaching Assistant Course Summary
Course Name:Â SEN Teaching Assistant Course
Duration:Â 1 Hour
Delivery:Â Online Training Course
Certificate Included: Instant Digital Certificate
Accreditation:Â CPD Accredited
Suitable For:Â SEN Teaching Assistants, Classroom Support Staff, Learning Support Assistants, Early Years Practitioners, School Staff and Aspiring Teaching Assistants
Assessment: Online Multiple Choice Test
Access: Instant Access – 12 Months
Duration
1 hour
CPD Points
1
Last Updated:
30 Sep 2025
What is SEN Teaching Assistant training?
SEN Teaching Assistant training provides introductory knowledge and practical strategies for supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in educational settings.
The course explores the responsibilities of teaching assistants, including classroom support, differentiated learning, positive behaviour strategies and promoting independence.
Learners examine common characteristics associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Practical examples demonstrate how to adapt instructions, support emotional regulation and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour.
The training supports inclusive education practices and helps teaching assistants work effectively alongside teachers and special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs).
It also reinforces principles reflected in England’s SEND Code of Practice and Equality Act 2010.
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Who Is This Course For?
The SEN Teaching Assistant Course is suitable for anyone supporting children and young people with special educational needs in mainstream schools, specialist education settings and other learning environments.
It is particularly relevant to SEN teaching assistants, classroom teaching assistants, learning support assistants, one-to-one support workers, special school support staff, early years practitioners and nursery assistants.
The course is also useful for aspiring teaching assistants, school volunteers, home tutors, further education learning support workers and professionals supporting children with additional learning or communication needs.
SENCOs and school leaders may use the training to support staff induction and continuing professional development.
Parents, carers and professionals working alongside educational support services may also benefit from learning how different needs affect classroom participation.
No previous SEN teaching experience is required.
Key Benefits
✓ Recognise common characteristics of autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other special educational needs.
✓ Apply inclusive classroom strategies that support learning, participation and independence.
✓ Adapt learning activities and instructions to accommodate individual pupil needs.
✓ Respond appropriately to challenging behaviour, anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties.
✓ Support pupils with speech, language and communication needs using practical classroom approaches.
✓ Strengthen professional competence and support inclusive education practices aligned with SEND guidance.
Course Modules
- SEN Teaching Assistant – Course Introduction
- The Role of a Teaching Assistant
- Four Professional Standards for Teaching Assistants
- High Expectations for All Learners
- In-Class Support
- One-to-One Support
- Differentiation and Access
- Supporting Pupils with Anxiety and Mental Health
- Supporting Pupils with Challenging Behaviour
- Responding to Inappropriate Behaviour
- Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome
- Common Characteristics of ASD and Asperger’s Syndrome
- Classroom Strategies for ASD and Asperger’s
- Understanding ADHD
- Common ADHD Symptoms
- Impact of ADHD on Learning and Social Development
- Classroom Strategies for Pupils with ADHD
- Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
- Common Characteristics of Dyslexia
- Strategies to Support Learners with Dyslexia
- Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD)
- Supporting Learners with Moderate Learning Difficulties
- Attachment Disorders
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH)
- Support Strategies for SEMH
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
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Learning Outcomes
Learner Outcome                                                           | Covered |
|---|---|
Explain the role and professional responsibilities of an SEN teaching assistant |    ✓ |
Identify the four professional standards for teaching assistants |    ✓ |
Apply appropriate in-class and one-to-one support strategies |    ✓ |
Explain how differentiated learning activities improve classroom accessibility |    ✓ |
Recognise common characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) |    ✓ |
Identify ADHD characteristics and explain their impact on learning and social development |    ✓ |
Select appropriate classroom strategies for pupils with autism and ADHD |    ✓ |
Recognise characteristics of dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties |    ✓ |
Identify practical strategies for supporting pupils with moderate learning difficulties |    ✓ |
Recognise signs of anxiety, emotional distress and social, emotional and mental health needs |    ✓ |
Explain appropriate responses to challenging and inappropriate behaviour |    ✓ |
Identify how attachment difficulties may influence pupils’ behaviour and relationships |    ✓ |
Recognise speech, language and communication needs that may affect classroom participation |    ✓ |
Explain how inclusive teaching support encourages pupil independence and engagement |    ✓ |
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What Our Learners Say?
“The autism and ADHD sections gave me useful ideas for adapting classroom activities and supporting pupils more confidently.”
Sarah Mitchell
SEN Teaching Assistant
“Clear explanations of different learning needs. Particularly useful for understanding challenging behaviour and supporting pupils with dyslexia.”
Rebecca Harris
Learning Support Assistant
“A helpful introduction to SEN support, with practical strategies I can use during one-to-one learning sessions.”
Daniel Roberts
Primary School Teaching Assistant

4.93/5 from 14+ learners
Why Is SEN Teaching Assistant training important?
SEN Teaching Assistant training helps education support staff respond appropriately to the different learning, communication and emotional needs of pupils with SEND.
Without suitable classroom support, pupils may experience unnecessary barriers to learning, increased anxiety, behavioural difficulties or reduced participation.
Understanding conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia helps teaching assistants recognise potential challenges and provide appropriate support without making assumptions about individual pupils.
Training also promotes consistent approaches to behaviour, communication and emotional wellbeing, reducing the risk of inappropriate responses or exclusionary practices.
For schools, developing staff knowledge supports inclusive education, professional competence and effective collaboration between teaching assistants, teachers and SENCOs.
These practices contribute to meeting responsibilities under the SEND Code of Practice and relevant equality legislation while protecting pupils’ dignity, wellbeing and educational opportunities.
Is SEN Teaching Assistant training a legal requirement in the UK?
There is no general UK law requiring every SEN teaching assistant to complete this specific online course or obtain a dedicated SEN teaching assistant certificate.
However, education providers have legal responsibilities relating to supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
In England, the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice establish responsibilities for identifying and supporting pupils with SEN.
The Equality Act 2010 requires schools to avoid disability discrimination and make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.
Schools must also meet applicable safeguarding responsibilities, including those outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.
Employers should ensure teaching assistants receive appropriate training, supervision and support for their responsibilities.
CPD training can contribute to staff development, but completing this course alone does not demonstrate that all statutory duties or role-specific training requirements have been met.
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SEN Teaching Assistant training FAQ?
What is an SEN Teaching Assistant Course?
An SEN Teaching Assistant Course provides introductory training for people supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
It covers common learning and developmental differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties and communication needs.
Learners explore practical classroom strategies, differentiated learning, one-to-one support and positive behaviour approaches to help pupils participate in education and develop greater independence.
Who should complete SEN Teaching Assistant training?
SEN Teaching Assistant training is suitable for existing and aspiring teaching assistants, learning support assistants, classroom support workers, nursery practitioners and special school staff.
It is also relevant to volunteers, home tutors and professionals supporting children with additional learning needs.
The course is particularly useful for people beginning a classroom support role or refreshing their knowledge of inclusive teaching strategies.
Do I need qualifications to become an SEN Teaching Assistant?
There is no single qualification required by law for every SEN teaching assistant position in the UK. Entry requirements depend on the employer, school setting and responsibilities involved.
Some schools prefer applicants with relevant qualifications, classroom experience or previous SEND training.
This CPD-accredited SEN Teaching Assistant Course provides introductory knowledge but is not a regulated teaching assistant qualification or a substitute for employer-required training.
Is SEN Teaching Assistant training a legal requirement?
Completing a specific SEN Teaching Assistant Course is not a general legal requirement in the UK.
However, schools must meet relevant statutory duties regarding special educational needs, disability inclusion and safeguarding.
In England, these include responsibilities under the Children and Families Act 2014, Equality Act 2010 and SEND Code of Practice.
Training helps staff develop knowledge to support these responsibilities, alongside appropriate supervision and workplace procedures.
How long does the SEN Teaching Assistant Course take?
Caredemy’s SEN Teaching Assistant Course takes approximately one hour to complete.
Training is delivered entirely online, allowing learners to work through the material at their own pace.
The course covers teaching assistant responsibilities, inclusive classroom support and strategies for different special educational needs.
After completing the learning material, learners take an online multiple-choice assessment to demonstrate their knowledge.
Does the SEN Teaching Assistant Course cover autism, ADHD and dyslexia?
Yes. The course includes dedicated lessons examining autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
Learners explore common characteristics, how these needs may affect classroom learning and social development, and practical support strategies.
The course also introduces moderate learning difficulties, attachment difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs.
Will I receive a CPD-accredited SEN Teaching Assistant certificate?
Yes. Learners who successfully complete the SEN Teaching Assistant Course and pass the online multiple-choice assessment receive a CPD-accredited digital certificate.
The certificate can be downloaded and used as evidence of continuing professional development, staff induction or refresher training.
The course carries one CPD point and includes unlimited assessment retakes. It does not award a regulated teaching assistant qualification.
How often should SEN Teaching Assistants complete refresher training?
There is no universal legal requirement to repeat a general SEN Teaching Assistant Course at fixed intervals.
However, schools should review staff training needs regularly, particularly when responsibilities change, new pupils require additional support or relevant guidance is updated.
Refresher training can help teaching assistants maintain current knowledge of inclusive classroom practices, behavioural support and learning differences. Schools should follow their own professional development and safeguarding training policies.
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