Special educational needs teacher : Employers and vacancy sources

Employers are mainly local authority (LA) departments. Many special educational needs (SEN) teachers work in mainstream schools, either in the classes or within specialist units, depending on the inclusion policy of the school. The specialist units provide support for pupils with autism or physical and sensory impairment. SEN teachers can also find employment in special schools throughout the UK, helping students with learning needs arising from physical difficulties, learning difficulties or behavioural problems.

There are also opportunities to work in:

• learning support teams - these work from a base and travel to a cluster of schools;
• further education colleges with special education units;
• independent schools;
• pupil referral units (PRUs);
• community homes;
• hospital schools;
• youth custody centres.

SEN teachers can also take on supply work or arrange direct supply work through the schools themselves.

Some SEN teachers may find work as private tutors. There are opportunities to work abroad as well. SEN teachers often undertake voluntary work abroad, and there are opportunities to go on exchange programmes.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• Times Educational Supplement (TES)   
• Guardian Jobs  
• The Daily Telegraph Jobs   
• Independent Jobs  
• Local press.
• Vacancy lists from some local authorities/LEAs.
• Online recruitment agencies.

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