SEN Teacher
Teach children with special educational needs in mainstream or specialist settings.
This UK sen teacher career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
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
What a SEN Teacher does
Teach children with special educational needs in mainstream or specialist settings.
How to become a SEN Teacher
- Look up SEN Teacher roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a SEN Teacher - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- SEND expertise
- Differentiation
- Patience
- Safeguarding
- Multi-agency