SEN Teaching Assistant Level 3

This home study Special Needs (SEN) Teaching Assistant course is designed for people who wish to gain an understanding of principles and practice teaching / classroom assistant roles and gain an accredited award relevant to employment. If your aim is to eventually specialise in working within the SEN sector then this course could be the one for you. The demand for SEN qualified staff is huge and growing fast. Update or add a new skill and increase your opportunities.

The aims of the course are to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills appropriate to the conduct of a classroom support role specifically with special needs children, and to participation in a wide range of classroom support activities

1. What are special educational needs?

What are special educational needs (SEN)?
The SEN code of practice 2001
Signs that tell a child may have SEN
What qualities are needed to be a SEN teaching assistant?
What skills are needed to be a SEN teaching assistant?

2. Theory of special needs
History of special needs education
The inclusive approach to special needs education

3. The big picture of special educational needs provision
Government policy
Legislation
Codes of practice and other guidance
Ofsted
SEN reforms planned for 2014

4. SEN provision in your school

School policy

School practice
The role of the SENCO

5. Observation, testing and assessment
Identifying pupils with SEN
P scales
Pivats
Statementing – what does it involve?
Staffing and resourcing

6. Supporting dyslexia and literacy
What is dyslexia?
Signs that tell you a child may have dyslexia
Supporting children with dyslexia

7. Aiding speech and language difficulties
Types of speech and language difficulties
Signs that tell you a child may have speech and language difficulties
Supporting children with speech and language difficulties

8. Managing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
What are behavioural, emotional and social difficulties?
Signs that tell you a child may have behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
Supporting children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties
Examples of behavioural, emotional and social difficulties

9. Supporting autism and asperger syndrome
What are autism and asperger syndrome?
Signs that tell you a child may have ASD
Home based approaches and interventions
Supporting children with ASD in schools

10. ADHD
What is ADHD?
Signs that tell you a child may have ADHD
Supporting children with ADHD at home and at school

11. Teaching talented and gifted children
How to identify talented and gifted children
Signs that tell you a child may be talented and gifted
Supporting talented and gifted children

12. Supporting blindness and visual impairment
What are blindness and visual impairment?
Signs that tell you a child may have vision problems
Supporting blind and visually impaired children in schools

13. Physical impairment and cerebral palsy
What is physical impairment?
What is cerebral palsy?
What is dyspraxia?
Signs that tell you a child may have physical difficulties
Supporting physically impaired children in schools

14. Deafness and hearing impairment
What is deafness?
Signs that tell you a child may have hearing problems
Hearing aids and other technologies
Communication approaches
Supporting deaf children in schools

15. Intellectual difficulties
What are intellectual disabilities?
Signs that tell you a child may have an intellectual disability
Supporting children with intellectual disabilities

16. Dyscalculia and numeracy
What is dyscalculia?
Signs that tell you a child may have dyscalculia
Supporting children with dyscalculia

17. Using technology
Why use technology?
Using technology effectively
Types of technology – hardware
Types of technology – software

18. The different ages of the child
Early years education
Primary school
Secondary school

19. Providing support at home and choosing the right school
Providing support at home
Mainstream or special school?

20. Finding a job in SEN
Gaining experience
Applying for a job
Who to approach
What to include in your letter
Preparing for an interview