SEN Teaching Assistant CV Example
A SEN teaching assistant CV highlights your ability to provide targeted support to pupils with additional learning needs in mainstream or specialist settings.
Recommended template: Sleek
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Detail the types of special educational needs you have experience supporting.
- Include relevant training such as PECS, Makaton, or Team Teach.
- Highlight your ability to implement individual education and behaviour plans.
- Showcase your collaborative working with teachers, SENCOs, and external professionals.
Ready to build your CV?
Start with the Sleek template and customise it for your teaching & education role.
How to Write Your SEN Teaching Assistant CV
A SEN teaching assistant CV should demonstrate your experience, training, and genuine commitment to supporting pupils with additional needs. Schools and special settings want to see evidence that you can work with a range of SEN types, implement personalised plans, and contribute to a team that wraps around each child. Your CV should highlight your practical skills, your specialist training, and the impact your support has had on pupils' learning, behaviour, and independence.
CV Structure
Use a straightforward format with a profile, work experience, qualifications, and skills. Lead with your SEN-specific training and DBS status. For each role, describe the setting, the SEN types you supported, and your specific responsibilities. Include achievements that demonstrate measurable pupil progress. Keep to one to two pages.
CV Format
Use a clean, simple template. SEN recruitment values substance over style. Ensure your specialist training and qualifications are easy to identify. Save as PDF.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced SEN Teaching Assistant
Dedicated SEN teaching assistant with five years of experience supporting pupils with autism spectrum condition, ADHD, and moderate learning difficulties in mainstream primary and special school settings. Trained in Team Teach, Makaton, and PECS, with a proven ability to implement individual behaviour plans and EHCP targets. CACHE Level 3 qualified with a passion for helping every child access learning, develop independence, and build confidence.
SEN TA — Special School
Compassionate and resilient SEN teaching assistant with four years of experience in a special school for pupils aged 5 to 19 with severe and profound learning difficulties. Experienced in providing personal care, supporting multi-sensory learning, and managing challenging behaviour using positive behaviour support principles. Holds a Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning and additional qualifications in epilepsy awareness and moving and handling.
New SEN Teaching Assistant
Caring and patient individual with two years of volunteer experience supporting children with additional needs at a local youth group, seeking a SEN teaching assistant role. Recently completed a Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism and a safeguarding awareness course. Holds an enhanced DBS certificate and is committed to pursuing further qualifications in SEN support while gaining practical experience in a school setting.
State your qualification level, years of experience, and the SEN types you have supported. Mention your specialist training (Team Teach, Makaton, PECS) and DBS status. Highlight your strongest quality as a SEN support professional.
Key Skills for Your SEN Teaching Assistant CV
SEN Support
Providing targeted, individualised support to pupils with a range of special educational needs in both mainstream and specialist settings.
Behaviour Strategies
Implementing positive behaviour support plans, de-escalation techniques, and consistent strategies to manage challenging behaviour safely.
Communication Aids
Using PECS, Makaton, visual supports, and communication devices to support pupils with speech, language, and communication needs.
Personal Care
Providing dignified personal care including feeding, toileting, and manual handling in accordance with individual care plans.
Record Keeping
Maintaining accurate records of pupil progress, behaviour incidents, and intervention outcomes to inform planning and reviews.
Safeguarding
Recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns in line with school procedures and statutory guidance.
Patience & Empathy
Demonstrating genuine care, understanding, and emotional resilience when supporting pupils with complex and challenging needs.
Team Collaboration
Working closely with teachers, SENCOs, therapists, and families to deliver coordinated support for each pupil.
Intervention Delivery
Running structured literacy, numeracy, and social skills intervention programmes as directed by teachers and specialists.
Work Experience Examples
For each role, describe the setting and the needs of the pupils you supported. Detail the strategies and interventions you used. Include achievements such as improved reading ages, successful transitions, or reduced behaviour incidents. Mention your attendance at review meetings and collaboration with external professionals.
SEN Teaching Assistant
Oakridge Primary School, Gloucester
Provided one-to-one and small group support for pupils with SEN across KS1 and KS2 in a mainstream primary school with 45 pupils on the SEN register.
Responsibilities
- Supported three pupils with EHCPs on a one-to-one basis, implementing personalised learning programmes designed by the SENCo and class teachers.
- Delivered daily speech and language intervention sessions following programmes set by the visiting speech and language therapist.
- Used visual timetables, social stories, and now-and-next boards to support pupils with autism in understanding classroom routines and transitions.
- Managed challenging behaviour calmly using Team Teach de-escalation strategies, recording incidents on the school's behaviour tracking system.
- Attended annual EHCP review meetings alongside parents, the SENCo, and external professionals, contributing observations on pupil progress.
Achievements
- Supported a Year 3 pupil with autism to transition from part-time to full-time attendance over one academic term through a carefully phased integration plan.
- Delivered a targeted reading intervention that improved the reading ages of six SEN pupils by an average of 10 months over two terms.
- Received commendation from the SENCo for consistently high-quality observation notes used to inform EHCP annual review reports.
Learning Support Assistant
Riverside Special School, Cheltenham
Supported class teachers in a special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe learning difficulties, complex needs, and challenging behaviour.
Responsibilities
- Assisted the class teacher in delivering multi-sensory lessons adapted for pupils with severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning disabilities.
- Provided personal care including feeding, toileting, and manual handling, following individual care plans and the school's health and safety procedures.
- Used PECS and Makaton to support communication with non-verbal pupils, reinforcing language targets set by the speech and language therapist.
- Supervised pupils during unstructured time including breaks, lunchtimes, and transitions, maintaining a calm and safe environment.
Achievements
- Supported a Key Stage 4 pupil in achieving three ASDAN modules in independent living skills through structured weekly sessions.
- Completed advanced Team Teach training and became a member of the school's positive handling support team.
Education & Qualifications
List your Level 2 or 3 TA qualification first, followed by any SEN-specific training courses. Include school qualifications highlighting English and maths. Mention your DBS status, first aid certificate, and any ongoing study.
CACHE Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning
A recognised qualification for teaching assistants providing support in schools, including SEN settings.
Team Teach Training
Training in positive handling and de-escalation techniques for managing challenging behaviour safely.
Makaton Training
Training in using Makaton signs and symbols to support communication with pupils who have speech and language needs.
Enhanced DBS Certificate
A criminal records check required for all roles working directly with children, including those with SEN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a SEN teaching assistant?
How do I describe my SEN experience on my CV?
Is SEN TA work emotionally demanding?
Can I progress from a SEN TA role?
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