Advanced SEN Classroom Assistant Course

Within this qualification, learners will focus on the role of a teaching assistant and will be introduced to the knowledge they need to work in a range of learning environments, supporting individuals with ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition). Our resources will help you gain a better understanding of the variety of roles you could be playing as a teaching assistant, from administration to site support. Over the duration of this programme, learners will improve their knowledge of how to effectively communicate and develop professional relationships with children, young people, and adults, with an entire unit focused on communication and social interaction with individuals with ASC.
SEN Classroom Assistant

Additional Information

Learners will also look at identifying the stages of development in children and young people, how to spot signs of developmental delays, and how to appropriately support these individuals. Learners will gain insight into the importance of safeguarding and child welfare in schools and colleges, combined with a topic focusing on safeguarding and resilience with autism. This programme has been created with an in-depth covering of autism in context, with many units dedicated to different types of support available, including positive behavioural support, support managing transitions, and available therapeutic interventions.

This Level 3 programme is a knowledge-based course, so classroom experience isn’t necessary to complete the qualification. Assessments are integrated into the programme, so there’s no need to worry about the stress of a final exam. On completion of this course, you will receive the TQUK Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism.

In order to gain accreditation and your certificate, the units in this course must be successfully completed in order. Take a look at the units you will be studying below, with an overview of what you can expect to learn in each of them.

Worried about distance? Our courses are conducted 100% online with access to online learning content, webinars, and one-on-one support from our tutors. Study entirely online, fitting your coursework around your schedule and commitments.

On successful completion of this course you will receive a Level 3 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges and a Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism

Accredited qualifications in the UK refer to formal educational programmes that are regulated and recognised by relevant authorities.

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Course Syllabus

On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand the principles of developing positive relationships with children, young people, and adults.
Understand how to communicate with children, young people, and adults.
Understand legislation, policies, and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education.
Understand how schools are organised in terms of roles and responsibilities.
Understand school ethos, mission, aims, and values.
Know about the legislation affecting schools.
Understand the purpose of school policies and procedures.
Understand the wider context in which schools operate.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand the expected pattern of development for children and young people from birth – 19 years.
Understand the factors that influence children and young people’s development and how these affect practice.
Understand how to monitor children and young people’s development and interventions that should take place if this is not following the expected pattern.
Understand the importance of early intervention to support the speech, language, and communication needs of children and young people.
Understand the potential effects of transitions on children and young people’s development.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand the main legislation, guidelines, policies, and procedures for safeguarding children and young people.
Understand the importance of working in partnership with other organisations to safeguard children and young people.
Understand the importance of ensuring children and young people’s safety and protection in the work setting.
Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused or harmed.
Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been bullied.
Understand how to work with children and young people to support their safety and wellbeing.
Understand the importance of e-safety for children and young people.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand the historical context of autism.
Understand the diagnosis and characteristics of autism.
Understand the legislative framework applicable to autism.
Understand how autism is represented in society.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand behaviour within the context of autism.
Understand how to promote an autism-friendly environment.
Understand how to promote individual positive behavioural support.
Understand interventions used in behavioural support.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand how transitions can affect people with autism.
Understand how to support young people with autism to make the transition into adulthood.
Understand how to support individuals with autism into employment.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand the range of therapeutic interventions available to individuals with autism.
Understand the services available to individuals with autism and their families.
Understand co-occurring conditions and their treatment.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand differences in social interaction and communication associated with autism.
Understand how own communication can be adapted to support positive interactions and communication with individuals with autism.
Understand a range of strategies and aids used to support communication and social interaction for individuals with autism.
On completion of this unit, you will:

Understand how to raise concerns about potential or actual harm, abuse, or exploitation.
Understand how to support the health, safety, and wellbeing of individuals.
Understand how the legislative framework safeguards children, young people, and adults with autism.
Understand how and when restrictive practices might be used within legal guidelines.

More Information

Entry Requirements

Learners should be aged 16 and over, but otherwise, there are no specific entry requirements for this programme.
Learners must have access to a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. (Computer/laptop recommended).
Learners should have a Level 2 equivalent in English.

Key Aims of this course

Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
Schools as Organisations
Understand Child and Young Person Development
Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People Autism in Context
Positive Behavioural Support for Individuals with Autism
Understand Support and Management of Transitions for Individuals with Autism
Therapeutic Interventions and Support Available for Individuals with Autism and Co-Occurring Conditions
Communication and Social Interaction with Individuals with Autism
Safeguarding and Resilience in Autism

Suitable for

This qualification is aimed at a range of learners who are thinking of working in a school or college setting, particularly within a teaching assistant role. As this course heavily focuses on Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC), it would be especially useful for those looking for SEN based positions. This course is suitable for most learners, including young people, mature learners, learners with special educational needs, or where English is an additional language. However, due to being a Level 3 course, this course is aimed at those looking for higher-level positions, with learners needing to have already obtained a Level 2 equivalent in English.

NCFE is a national Awarding Organisation as well as a registered educational charity and has a strong heritage in learning, going back over 150 years. 

On completion of this course you will receive the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safeguard and Prevent (RQF Qualification Number: 603/2818/6). These qualifications are listed on the government regulated qualification website

NCFE accredited qualifications contribute to the success of millions of learners at all levels, bringing them closer to fulfilling their personal goals. Last year alone, over 340,000 learners from over 2,000 colleges, schools and training organisations chose NCFE as the Awarding Organisation to help them move their careers forward.

NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Welsh Government in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA Regulation) in Northern Ireland.

Safeguarding is vitally important in any role where you’ll be routinely working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults. Having your Safeguarding and Prevent qualification is going to ensure that you know what to do when you’re faced with someone in need. 

Safeguarding in the Workplace

Since you’ll now be able to spot the signs of neglect, abuse, and radicalisation you can apply your knowledge in any role where you’re working with the aforementioned groups, it won’t just be an attractive part of your CV for prospective employers. 

You’ll be able to employ what you’ve learned the most in an educational setting, regardless of the age range you’re going to be working with. Safeguarding and Prevent knowledge is seen as extremely important in the education sector, and will help you to get the position you want since you’ll be going into the application process able to show off your knowledge either on your CV or during your interview(s).

If you’re already working in an environment where safeguarding knowledge is important, such as a school or healthcare setting, the knowledge you gain in our Level 2 Safeguarding course will help you to do your job by making it easier for you to spot safeguarding issues and how you should deal with them. 

Having this knowledge is going to be especially useful if your colleagues are lacking in training, meaning you can stand out and help to deal with the issues you or your team weren’t qualified for beforehand. You won’t just be improving yourself but helping to improve your organisation as a whole. 

Supporting Qualifications

There are a number of supporting qualifications which might be useful when it comes to expanding on the knowledge you’ll gain throughout the course. You might look at taking a qualification in Childcare, Understanding Autism, or Equality and Diversity.

Further Progression

If you’re interested in using your safeguarding knowledge in a learning environment but don’t know where to start, you could look at taking a teaching assistant course and begin a new career in education.

If you’d like to learn more you should take a look at our helpful guide on how to become a teaching assistant. There are a wide range of roles you can take in education to make the most of your Safeguarding and Prevent knowledge from administration to teaching. If you’re looking to get started in a new career and want to see where our courses can take you then explore our career advice for school support jobs. You’ll find out what kind of job in schools that you’re qualified for and what else you’ll need to get into those positions!

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We’ve helped hundreds of people start support jobs in schools, including; teaching assistants, classroom assistants, receptionists, catering staff, caretakers and admin staff.