Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship Level 3 SEND Pathway
For teaching assistants who support learners with additional needs and want to strengthen their specialist skills.
Level 3 apprenticeship • 15 to 18 months • Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy
About the programme
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship SEND Pathway is designed for teaching assistants who support learners with additional needs and want to strengthen their specialist skills. It builds the knowledge, skills and behaviours to support pupils with SEND while strengthening whole class practice.
Learners develop practical strategies for communication, sensory support and inclusive classroom practice. Including how to support autistic pupils and pupils with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs or dyslexia. And how to provide adaptive support and adjustments so every pupil can thrive.
The SEND specialism is included from the start, with the option to add further certificated specialisms such as Early Years, EAL, Behaviour or Assessment. Tutor visits take place every 4 to 6 weeks, and learners can use the skills and evidence from the apprenticeship to progress onto HLTA and teacher training routes.
Who it’s for
- Teaching assistants working with pupils with SEND in mainstream, specialist and alternative provision settings
- Support staff who want their day to day SEND practice formally recognised and developed
- Schools strengthening classroom level SEND capacity in line with the national reforms
What you’ll gain
- The Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship qualification with a SEND specialism included
- Practical strategies for supporting autistic pupils and pupils with SLCN, SEMH needs, dyslexia and other needs
- Additional certificated specialisms available alongside the core pathway
- Fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, with a route to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Find out more and apply
This programme is delivered by Best Practice Network, part of the Supporting Education Group. View the full course details, entry requirements and upcoming cohort dates, or speak to us about building it into your wider SEND strategy.