Is there anyone on here who works with children with special needs  ?
I am thinking of a career change and need to find out where these jobs are advertised and what qualifications are needed .
My background is in nursing but i would like to work in schools , so would a classroom assistant NVQ be required ?
Any info gratefully recieved !

I work in a 11-16 school and especially enjoy working with SEN (Special educational needs) children.
I would say look in your jobs pages of the newspaper or on Council website for TA (Teaching Assistant) jobs. MOney isnt great but its a good way to get your foot in the door and see if you like it. They will put you through the necessary qualifications and may sponsor you to do further qualifications like foundation degrees etc etc. Be warned it is challenging and hard at times but also rewarding and fun :-)

PM me if you want.

Sign language is an interest of mine so i would like to be using that on the job . I am thinking more about children with physical disabilities .

There are also a large portion of students in our school with physical difficulties toe. these are SEN students.
We go from quite major to minor physical difficulties.

As i said before look for jobs going in local schools either state schools/blind schools/deaf schools etc.
Go for an "in the class" job as opposed to an admin type job as you will get more first hand experience then.

I have worked with children with physical, behavioural, and/or learning difficulties. I found working with the children very rewarding but must admit I did struggle at times with the children with behavioural difficulties. I understood why they behaved like they did, but it was very intense and quite draining being constantly sworn at and verbally abused. It did get physical at times too. If you've got a good support network of collegues it's much easier to cope with the demands. I don't work with children at the moment but I wouldn't rule it out forever.

Good luck with whatever you decide :-)

Edited to add - I did BSL level 1 and loved it!
I didn't have any NVQ's when I started but most schools will support you to do them whilst working if you wish.

I work with children who have physical, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. Most of the newer staff that have been taken on already had relevant qualifications of some sort. Our school does fund regular training but these are usually short courses for particular areas of expertise. Most of the longer courses are fairly expensive and can take quite a chunk from the training budget so applicants with existing qualifications probably stand a better chance of being successful when applying for a job. It isn't always the case and an applicant with a nursing qualification would more than likely catch the interest of the person sorting through the application papers.

Thanks for your replies .

i work in a secondry school with statmented sen pupils we have kids with asd ,adhd,dyslexia etc i really enjoy my job i have got my nvq lvl3 in teaching assistant which they have now changed it to supporting teaching and learning i had my course paid for me as i got on a scheme called train to gain you can qualify for this if your gcse/gce were all under a c grade you have no other nvqs or no a/o levels and you either work in a school or you do a voluntary placement in a school good luck in whatever you decide

I am an LSA in a school for children with special needs (we are a PMLD/SLD school).  The work can be very challenging (bruises, scratches, bites, punches on us are a regular thing) but also immensely rewarding.  You get very attached to the kids and become very involved to the point where you know their families well also.  Although I have a teaching assistant NVQ, some staff are taken on and trained while working.  We have regular in-school training to and work all inset days (normally LSA don't work these in mainstream schools).  We are all competent signers, and I have been trained up to assist with seizures and catheter assistance (as well as being a first aider).  Autism training is also recommended. 

Pay isn't great - but I hope to be in this job for a long time (4 years at moment) because of the enjoyment and reward factor.  Your best bet would be to send your CV to local schools for children with special needs and they can put you on their waiting list (sometimes staff turnover is high).  Remember though:  they are not special needs children, they are Children with special needs.  The child comes first (it will help in interviews).  Good luck.

Hi Domingo,
Call in at your local special needs school, should be in your local directory. You usally find the Headmaster/mistress will be very helpfull.
I have a handicapped daughter, and all the staff, were very helpfull and will advise you, you may be able to spend a day there to see if it is what you want to do, be a guide or class room assistant. You could start night school to learn sign language. Most childcare now needs the NVQ even foster carers.

Denese