Special needs teaching - Over 16's
Discussion
Hello,
I've recently gone from engineering into support work. I suffered an injury nearly a decade ago thats finally left me with a fused ankle, it's not the worst thing in the world but the physical side of mechanical engineering is now far gone for me, i can do part time physical but full time is impossible.
Having ended up in support work i've found a bit of a niche that i didn't realise i'd do well in, that is working with those dealt a duff card and when the guys i support want to talk about things they want to know about i seem to get across more complex things that other staff will just throw their hands up in a very unprofessional way and say "They'll never know that don't try". The main issue is, is that these lads are in a place they're happy with, but i've seen plenty of those with learning disability and other issues that affect their ability to learn really go for it and through some of the other organisations we hear news and help some of our service users get great results and i want in. I'm hardly a learned man or being 30 have much in the way of qualifications that would get me anywhere near teaching but i want to give it a go.
The main questions for anyone who can answer them are:
How do i get into special needs teaching? it'd have to be with 16 plus as i have no want to teach youth especially when they're forced to be there, i want those who have difficulty but are there because they want to be.
What qualifications do i need? It's all incredibly vague and when you go special needs even more so.
Is this feasible? Is there a need for this? and more importantly does going from support work of learning disability and mental health even give me a good bedrock to work from?
I've recently gone from engineering into support work. I suffered an injury nearly a decade ago thats finally left me with a fused ankle, it's not the worst thing in the world but the physical side of mechanical engineering is now far gone for me, i can do part time physical but full time is impossible.
Having ended up in support work i've found a bit of a niche that i didn't realise i'd do well in, that is working with those dealt a duff card and when the guys i support want to talk about things they want to know about i seem to get across more complex things that other staff will just throw their hands up in a very unprofessional way and say "They'll never know that don't try". The main issue is, is that these lads are in a place they're happy with, but i've seen plenty of those with learning disability and other issues that affect their ability to learn really go for it and through some of the other organisations we hear news and help some of our service users get great results and i want in. I'm hardly a learned man or being 30 have much in the way of qualifications that would get me anywhere near teaching but i want to give it a go.
The main questions for anyone who can answer them are:
How do i get into special needs teaching? it'd have to be with 16 plus as i have no want to teach youth especially when they're forced to be there, i want those who have difficulty but are there because they want to be.
What qualifications do i need? It's all incredibly vague and when you go special needs even more so.
Is this feasible? Is there a need for this? and more importantly does going from support work of learning disability and mental health even give me a good bedrock to work from?
I'm sure more qualified will reply but as part of my job (catering manager for SEN school) I teach young adults basic catering and hospitality skills.
I have no formal teaching qualification but have a background in training and education many years back in the IT industry where I got a basic NVQ assessors award (which is irrelevant as I didn't even mention at interview).
As far as I am aware to teach 16+ all you need to hold is a qualification (or experience equivalent to) the level above that which you are teaching. So, for me I have NVQ 3 Professional Cookery, so I can teach anything below that level. Even at my local college we had a chef lecturer with no formal qualifications teaching at Level 3.
From what you say there should be no barrier to you getting into it. Maybe a few basic qualification around SEN would help open some doors but it was experience that got me the job.
As a starting point I would look at what formal qualifications you could realistically deliver to SEN kids as this is where the funding would be available which in turn pays for you. I work at Entry 1, 2 & 3 award or certificate level, I don't know what would be available at the at level in your area.
There are a few of us on here in SEN schools so between us we might be able to help.
I have no formal teaching qualification but have a background in training and education many years back in the IT industry where I got a basic NVQ assessors award (which is irrelevant as I didn't even mention at interview).
As far as I am aware to teach 16+ all you need to hold is a qualification (or experience equivalent to) the level above that which you are teaching. So, for me I have NVQ 3 Professional Cookery, so I can teach anything below that level. Even at my local college we had a chef lecturer with no formal qualifications teaching at Level 3.
From what you say there should be no barrier to you getting into it. Maybe a few basic qualification around SEN would help open some doors but it was experience that got me the job.
As a starting point I would look at what formal qualifications you could realistically deliver to SEN kids as this is where the funding would be available which in turn pays for you. I work at Entry 1, 2 & 3 award or certificate level, I don't know what would be available at the at level in your area.
There are a few of us on here in SEN schools so between us we might be able to help.
Thank you very much for the reply Tony, it's given me a bit more direction than the national careers service and the lip service im being provided by my local college. There is a specialist college close to me that i'm going to try volunteering with if i can get some form of routine rota at work currently, they've been supportive of me in regards to my ankle fusion and as well as offering sabbaticals they seem to help other employees move along in their career if they so wish.
Volunteering is a very good way of getting some experience and credibility for interviews. Look at other places locally, Cheshire Homes, community education groups etc. Ultimately though, links into a local special school, college or adult learning unit is a great way of getting known.
Also, getting exposure to the full SEN working environment may shape your views a little more. Not saying anything negative but theres a hell of a lot more to it than I thought near on five years ago
Also, getting exposure to the full SEN working environment may shape your views a little more. Not saying anything negative but theres a hell of a lot more to it than I thought near on five years ago
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