Recruiting SEN teachers in the UK right now isn't easy. Whether you're working in a mainstream school, a specialist setting or part of a MAT, trying to fill SEN teaching jobs can feel like trying to fill a leaky bucket.
We work with schools and education providers every day who are battling the same issue: where are all the SEN teachers? So if you're stuck, you're definitely not alone.
Here are Dovetail & Slate's thoughts on what's going on, along with some ideas we are developing to help. Let's start with the key big areas affecting SEN teaching: Demand, funding, complexity, inclusion, salaries and burnout. Then we can look at ways that organisations can find the right staff for their roles.
Demand is sky-high (and getting more complex)
The number of pupils with identified special educational needs keeps climbing. Over 1.5 million pupils in England are now receiving SEN support (a number which has risen every year for the past decade). That's around 18% of all pupils. On the ground, this means more EHCPs being issued, more support plans being written and higher demand for trained staff to deliver them.
And yet, the workforce hasn't kept pace. And when you do get someone through the door, retention is another story (more on that later). So, we're in a situation where every school needs more SEN capacity, but there aren't enough qualified people to go around.
It's not just about more pupil numbers, it's also that needs are becoming increasingly complex. Teachers and SENCOs are now supporting students with: ASD, ADHD, and other neurodiverse profiles, Speech and language delays, SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) challenges and trauma & attachment issues.
In our post-pandemic world, many of these issues have become more severe. The demand for individualised learning support, emotional regulation strategies, and multi-agency coordination is now through the roof.
Lack of early support puts pressure on schools
Cuts to early intervention services have meant that schools are carrying more of the load in identifying and supporting SEN learners. Between 2011 and 2021, investment by the Conservative Government in early intervention support by councils in England fell by 50% (from £3.8bn to £1.9bn).
This funding crisis led to long delays in diagnosis (especially for autism and ADHD), long CAMHS waiting lists, and underfunded local services. Pupils often arrived in school without a formal plan or diagnosis, despite still needing full-time support.
The human cost on the children and families has been enormous, but this pressure has translated to the teaching staff, so it is no surprise that retention and recruitment rates have been affected.
Mainstream inclusion is growing (Which is a good thing… but demands more staff)
Quite rightly, there has been a big shift toward the inclusion of pupils with special needs within mainstream schools when possible. This is great in principle, but it requires significant SEN teaching capacity, including: Teaching assistants with SEN expertise, SENCOs who can manage larger caseloads and teachers who understand differentiation and sensory needs
And all of that means more recruitment pressure across the system. All of which is exacerbated by the fact that SEN teachers are simply leaving the profession. Let's quickly look at why that is.
Burnout is real
SEN teachers are leaving the profession at worrying rates. A lot of that comes down to workload. Between EHCPs, behaviour plans, multi-agency meetings and the actual teaching, there often aren't enough hours in the day.
The National Education Union has reported that burnout is a key reason why so many SEN staff leave within 3–5 years. And when that happens, recruitment gets harder because the reputation of the job suffers.
That's why at Dovetail & Slate, we help schools highlight work-life balance, team culture, and mental health support in their recruitment materials. Candidates care about that more than ever, especially in SEND roles.
The value of SEN teachers needs to be recognised
Here's the thing: SEN teaching is complex. These roles demand more than qualifications; they call for patience, emotional resilience, and a commitment to inclusion. That's why we work with schools that value and invest in their SEN staff.
SEN teaching is demanding, but it's also one of the most impactful careers in education. While salaries don't always reflect the complexity of the role, many schools offer SEN allowances, tailored CPD, and strong team cultures to support staff who are making a difference every day. (Read more on this from The Guardian)
Pay pressures are real, and systemic reform is needed, but in the meantime, schools can attract brilliant candidates by offering flexible contracts, meaningful progression, and a team culture that values wellbeing and purpose.
What can be done?
It all sounds bleak, but there are ways to get the right staff.
Focus your messaging on what makes your school or setting stand out. Is it the support network? The CPD offer? A really strong, inclusive culture? Great employer branding goes a long way.
Training routes are all over the place
Unlike primary or secondary roles, there's no single, clear route into SEN teaching. Some people train via PGCEs. Others come in through teaching assistant jobs or support staff roles. Some do it by accident. Some never get the chance.
That makes it harder to grow your own pipeline, but not impossible.
We help schools and colleges recruit creatively:
- Upskilling talented SEN teaching assistants
- Supporting ECT recruitment with tailored CPD
- Working with people from outside education who have the values and experience to make a difference
How can we help
We're a specialist education recruitment agency with deep experience in SEN recruitment. Whether you need permanent teachers, interim education staff, or someone to lead on SEND provision, we:
- Tap into a national network of qualified candidates
- Promote your roles using SEO-optimised content (like this!)
- Help improve your recruitment process to reduce drop-off
- Support your employer branding and candidate experience
We also know how to spot the right kind of potential, not just what's on paper.
Looking to fill SEN teaching jobs?
Let's have a chat. We'll help you:
- Find the right person
- Reduce your time-to-hire
- Build a team that lasts
Get in touch today and let's build something that works.
Useful resources
- SEN Statistics - DfE
- Teacher Pay Analysis - IFS
- NEU Workload Survey
- SEND System Reforms - The Guardian