SEND and the Role of the Teaching Assistant (Autumn 2024 Cohort)

SEND and the role of the Teaching Assistant Training Programme Autumn Term 2024-2025

This training programme has been designed for teaching assistants to support the development of knowledge and skills around working with pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is suitable for teaching assistants working with all age groups in both mainstream and specialist settings. The programme is being provided in partnership between Fusion SEND Hub and Sheffield Inclusion Task Force.

The programme will be delivered online via TEAMS over six one-hour sessions. Participating schools will be emailed a workbook and participants are required to complete practical ‘gap tasks’ between sessions and make reflection notes in their workbook. Once the sessions have been successfully completed, participants can submit their completed workbook if they wish to receive a certificate of programme completion.

Programme Content

Session One – What is SEND?- Tuesday 1st October 2024 - 3.30-4.20pm

 An introduction to the programme and learning about what is mean by special education needs and disabilities, including the SEND Code of Practice.

Session Two – The Role of the TA - Tuesday 22nd October 2024 - 3.30-4.30pm

 Exploring the key roles and responsibilities of teaching assistants, and how we can support pupils’ learning and development.

Session Three - Introduction to Speech and Language and Cognition and Learning Needs Tuesday - 19th November 2024 - 3.30-4.30pm

 An introduction to speech and language and cognition and learning needs, looking specifically at some of the main diagnoses, how these can affect pupils and some key approaches for supporting them.

Session Four - Building Relationships with Pupils - Tuesday 10th December 2024 - 3.30-4.30pm

 Learning about the importance of developing supportive and empowering relationships with pupils, and the impact this can have on their success.

Session Five - Behaviour and De-escalation - Tuesday 21st January 2025 - 3.30-4.30pm

 Exploring some of the key reasons for behaviour challenges, and some useful approaches to supporting pupils to manage their behaviour and improve emotional and social development.

Session Six - Introduction to Autism and ADHD - Tuesday 11th February 2025 - 3.30-4.30pm

 An introduction to neurodiversity, looking specifically at autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This will include some of the key features and ways to support pupils.

Costs

The programme costs £120 per TA. Two or more TA's from the same school will receive a 25% discount . The price is capped at £900 for 10 or more attendees from the same school. Please ensure that only the agreed participants attend the sessions. Participating attendees will be emailed a workbook and participants are required to complete practical ‘gap tasks’ between sessions and make reflection notes in their workbook. Once the sessions have been successfully completed, participants can submit their completed workbook if they wish to receive a certificate of programme completion. We regret that we cannot record sessions.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss having this programme delivered to your TA staff as a whole school training, a family of schools or across a MAT.

Host or Publisher Fusion TSA