12th November 2024

5 ways to address SEND staff shortages

The shortage of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) staff has become a critical challenge for schools across the UK. The impact is felt daily, from reduced one-on-one support time to disrupted learning programmes for students who need it most. These staffing gaps put immense pressure on existing team members while potentially compromising the quality of support for SEND students. 

This challenge has been recognised at the governmental level, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing a significant £2.3 billion increase in school funding for 2025-26. With these new resources on the horizon, we’ve compiled proven strategies that schools can implement now to overcome these staffing challenges, making a real difference for students and staff alike.

How can you address SEND staff shortages?

While there’s no simple solution to these complex challenges, schools across Britain have found innovative ways to enhance their SEND teaching staff, even with limited resources. Here’s what you can do to make a real difference in your school.

Implement flexible staffing models

With the challenge of securing dedicated SEND teachers, schools need creative approaches to staffing. Consider restructuring existing roles to maximise specialist support time. This might mean creating hybrid positions where teaching assistants with SEND expertise work across multiple classes, or implementing a rotating system of support staff with specific SEND training. Some schools have successfully introduced assistant SEND specialists who can provide targeted support during key learning periods, ensuring resources are directed where they’re most needed each day. This approach helps bridge the gap when full-time SEND teachers aren’t available.

Development opportunities

Rather than waiting for the perfect funding situation, many schools are finding success in upskilling their existing staff. Investing in SEND-specific training for teaching assistants and mainstream teachers creates a more capable, confident workforce. This approach builds internal expertise and reduces reliance on external specialists. Consider implementing a structured training programme that allows staff to develop specific SEND specialisms while continuing their regular roles. This not only improves support for pupils but creates clear career progression paths for teaching assistants, potentially reducing the pressure to hire additional SEND teachers immediately.

Create a supportive work environment

Building strong support systems doesn’t require a significant budget – it starts with your existing team. Set aside regular time for classroom teachers and teaching assistants to meet, even if it’s just 30 minutes each week, to share what’s working with specific SEND pupils. Create a shared drive for differentiated resources, establish a buddy system between experienced and newer staff, or start a weekly drop-in where staff can discuss SEND challenges. Some schools have found success with termly SEND focus groups, where staff across different year groups can share successful strategies and troubleshoot common challenges together.

Enhance recruitment efforts

While securing funding for full-time SEND teachers remains challenging, your recruitment strategy can still prioritise SEND expertise. Working with Engage gives you access to a vast network of talented educators, both in the UK and internationally, who bring valuable SEND experience. Our specialists can help you identify candidates who offer more than just teaching capabilities – we look for those with proven SEND expertise or specialised training, even for general teaching positions. Through our rigorous vetting process and international partnerships, we can connect you with outstanding educators who are ready to strengthen your school’s SEND teachers, whether you need permanent staff or temporary support.

Promote work-life balance

Supporting a good work-life balance for SEND teachers in the UK means making sure their workload is fair and their planning time is protected. Encourage regular breaks during the day, keep after-school commitments manageable, and offer flexible working options, like remote planning days or job shares, when possible. Help teachers set healthy boundaries—avoiding emails after hours, for instance—and invest in their mental well-being with initiatives like mindfulness sessions, counselling, or termly wellbeing days. Creating a supportive culture where teachers feel comfortable talking about workload and stress goes a long way in building a happier, more balanced school environment.

Supporting SEND pupils effectively requires a strategic approach to staffing, particularly when resources are stretched. By implementing these practical solutions, your school can build a more resilient and capable team. Let us know how we can help strengthen your SEND team today!