SEND Teaching Assistant Pathway
Summary
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs and helping them thrive emotionally, socially, and academically? This pathway is designed for individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of learners with special educational needs and disabilities. This pathway focuses on understanding how mental health, learning difficulties, and neurodiversity shape the experiences of children and their families as they progress through education.
This pathway provides a strong foundation for those looking to support students’ holistic wellbeing in a variety of educational settings. It is ideal for those working or volunteering in schools, early years, or youth services who want to develop their knowledge of SEND and mental health. Learners will explore key areas such as autism, specific learning difficulties (including dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD), and children and young people’s mental health. The pathway also covers safeguarding, engagement strategies, and techniques for promoting emotional resilience and inclusive practice.
This pathway is designed as a progressive programme made up of several courses. You will advance through each of the following qualifications that build upon each other to develop your knowledge, skills and experience, with each level of learning preparing you for the next.
- Understanding Autism (SEND Pathway) - Level 2
- Support Work in Schools and Colleges (Teaching Assistant Pathway) - Level 2
- Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health (SEND Pathway) - Level 2
- Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges (SEND Pathway) - Level 4
This pathway is perfect for those looking to support learners with SEND, build inclusive learning environments, and take the first step toward a rewarding career in education, care, or youth support.
Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
Entry Requirements
Technical Entry Requirements:
- Age: 19 years or over (19+)
Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:
- DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children and young people. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.
- English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.
These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
This pathway is ideal for individuals looking to support learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), particularly in relation to mental health, neurodiversity, and learning differences. It provides a strong foundation for those working or volunteering in education, care, or youth services who want to develop their understanding of inclusive practice and holistic learner support.
Roles supported by this pathway are in demand across primary and secondary schools, early years settings, specialist education environments, and community-based services.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your current role, this pathway equips you with the knowledge and confidence to support learners with diverse needs and contribute to inclusive, supportive learning environments.
Next steps at B&FC
On successful completion of the Level 2 SEND Pathway, learners can continue their professional development through a range of advanced qualifications at Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC). This pathway is designed to support progression into more specialised or senior roles within education and learner support.
Learners can progress to:
- Teaching and Learning Support (Teaching Assistant Pathway) - Level 3
- Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges (SEND Pathway) - Level 4
- Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree
These qualifications build on the knowledge gained at Level 2 and prepare learners for roles with greater responsibility, including leadership positions in SEND provision, pastoral care, and inclusive education. Whether your goal is to enhance your current role or move into a new area of practice, the SEND Pathway offers a clear and supportive route to long-term career development.
Employment Opportunities
Having completed the Level 2 SEND Pathway, learners will be well-prepared to pursue a variety of entry-level and support roles within educational and care settings. These roles focus on supporting children and young people with special educational needs, learning difficulties, and mental health challenges.
Potential job titles include:
SEND Support Assistant | Teaching Assistant | Learning Support Assistant | Pastoral Support Worker | Autism Support Assistant | Mental Health Support Assistant | Youth Support Worker | After-School Club Assistant | Classroom Assistant
Key information
Fees and funding
Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.
To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.
Extra costs and equipment
There are no additional costs associated with this course.
What will I learn?
The Level 2 SEND Pathway combines three nationally recognised qualifications to give you a well-rounded understanding of how to support learners with additional needs. Each course focuses on a key area of SEND and mental health:
Understanding Autism
- Learn what autism is and how it affects communication, behaviour, and sensory processing.
- Explore person-centred support strategies and how to promote wellbeing and independence.
Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health
- Understand common mental health conditions and their impact on learning and development.
- Learn how to recognise early signs and provide appropriate support.
Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties
- Gain insight into conditions like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD.
- Learn how these affect learning and how to support individuals effectively in educational settings.
Together, these qualifications provide the essential knowledge to support inclusive practice and promote emotional wellbeing in schools, early years, and youth settings.
Learners can progress to:
- NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- Level 4 Award in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Leadership and Management
Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers
There is no mandatory work placement required for the Level 2 courses within the SEND Pathway, making them accessible to learners who may not currently be working or volunteering in an educational setting. However, the Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications do require learners to be employed or actively working in a relevant role to meet assessment requirements.
At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enrich your learning experience through a range of guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from across the education and care sectors, including local schools, SEND services, and early years settings. Guest lectures and live discussions offer valuable insights into real-world practice, current challenges, and emerging trends. They also provide opportunities to ask questions, build professional connections, and explore diverse career pathways.
How will I learn?
Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.
The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.
Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.
Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.
Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.
Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.
This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector.
Expert tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.
How will I be assessed?
Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.
Assessment Methods:
- Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
- Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate support.
Grading:
- The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
- The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.