What does a Special Education Assistant do?
A Special Education Assistant, sometimes also referred to as a Teaching Assistant, works closely with students who require additional support due to disabilities or learning difficulties. They provide one-on-one assistance to help these students with their studies, communication, and social skills. Special Education Assistants also work with the classroom teacher to develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the needs of each student. They work in a range of settings, including schools, hospitals, and community centers, and can perform tasks such as taking notes for students, helping with homework, supervising recess or lunch, and providing emotional support. Overall, their goal is to help students with special needs reach their full potential and feel included in the classroom and wider community.
Our Special Education Assistant job description includes the Special Education Assistant responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.
Special Education Assistant Example
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If you need an example job description for a Special Education Assistant download the one below, alternatively we have many other Education job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.
What does a Special Education Assistant do?
This job involves assisting teachers in providing specialised instruction to pupils with special educational needs. The Special Education Assistant will work collaboratively with teachers, administrators and other professionals to ensure that these pupils receive the best possible education and support. Responsibilities may include: providing one-on-one support to pupils, helping to develop individualised education plans, helping to assess pupil progress and to identify areas of need, providing classroom support, helping to implement behaviour management strategies, providing support for recreational activities, and helping to facilitate communication between home and school.
Special Education Assistant Role Purpose
The purpose of a Special Education Assistant is to provide assistance and support to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in a variety of educational settings. This includes providing assistance with the implementation of educational programmes, helping to create a stimulating learning environment, and providing assistance with the management of behavioural, emotional and physical needs. Special Education Assistants also provide support to teachers and other school staff by helping to carry out administrative tasks and assist with the supervision of pupils.
Special Education Assistant Role
A Special Education Assistant provides personalised learning support to children and young adults with special educational needs (SEN). They help facilitate learning by providing assistance to teachers and SEN pupils in the classroom, as well as helping to develop and implement strategies that will help the pupils reach their educational goals.
Special Education Assistant Duties
- Assisting teachers with the delivery of special educational needs programmes
- Assisting with the supervision of students in the classroom
- Helping to create a safe and stimulating classroom environment
- Assisting with daily activities such as feeding and toileting
- Providing support for students in activities such as swimming or art
- Supporting communication and language development
- Helping to monitor progress and keep records
Special Education Assistant Requirements
- An up-to-date knowledge of special education techniques and strategies
- Experience working with children with special needs
- Ability to work effectively with families, educators and other professionals
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem solving skills
- High level of patience and empathy
Special Education Assistant Skills
- Patience
- Ability to follow instructions
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work with children with special needs
Special Education Assistant Personal Traits
- Excellent communication skills
- Patience
- Ability to be flexible
- Organisational skills
- Ability to support and motivate
How to write a Special Education Assistant Job Advert
Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.
A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.
Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.
How to write a Special Education Assistant Job Description
To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.
Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Special Education Assistant Job Specification
The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.
Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Special Education Assistant Job Specification
When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:
Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.
Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.
Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.
The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.
Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth.
Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources.
Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.
Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.
Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.
How to Hire a Special Education Assistant
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