Special educational needs (SEN) teaching is one of the most important jobs in any school. Yet, it is also one of the hardest roles to fill. Many schools across the UK spend months looking for the right person. Some never find one at all. So, what is really going on? And what can schools do to fix it?
If you work in school recruitment or leadership, you already know this problem well. But even so, it helps to look at the full picture. This post covers the key reasons behind the shortage — and also shares some real ways to move forward.
The SEN Teacher Shortage Is Real
The demand for SEN teachers has grown a lot in recent years. More children are being identified with conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and speech and language needs. As a result, schools need more trained staff than ever before.
However, the supply of trained SEN teachers has not kept up. Many people leave the profession within five years. Others never move into SEN roles in the first place because of the workload. Furthermore, many older teachers are retiring, which is making the gap even bigger.
This is where specialist recruitment agencies come in. For example, Impact Teachers works directly with schools to find qualified SEN staff quickly. Instead of waiting months to fill a vacancy, schools can get matched with candidates who already have the right experience.
Why Teachers Avoid SEN Roles
It is worth asking why so many trained teachers choose not to work in SEN. The reasons are not hard to find.
- The paperwork load is heavy. SEN teachers often spend hours writing education and health care plans (EHCPs), progress reports, and meeting notes.
- Emotional burnout is common. Supporting children with complex needs takes a real toll over time.
- Pay does not always reflect the extra skill and effort involved.
- Training is not always provided. Some teachers feel they are expected to handle serious needs without proper preparation.
These are serious issues. Therefore, schools need to think carefully about how they support SEN staff — not just how they recruit them.
What Schools Can Do Right Now
The good news is that there are practical steps schools can take. You do not have to wait for a government policy change to start making a difference.
First, make SEN roles feel valued. This means giving SEN leads a voice in school strategy. It also means offering proper professional development. When teachers feel respected, they are much more likely to stay.
Second, review your recruitment process. Many schools use generic job ads that do not speak to SEN specialists. A targeted approach works much better. Listing roles on platforms built for education — like SEN teacher jobs — helps you reach people who are already looking for this kind of work.
Third, think about flexible working. Some experienced SEN teachers leave full-time roles because of personal commitments. Offering part-time or hybrid options can help bring them back.
The Role of Specialist Recruitment
Working with a specialist education recruiter is often the fastest and most effective solution. General recruitment agencies do not always understand what SEN roles involve. They may send over candidates who lack the right skills or mindset.
On the other hand, specialist agencies know the field well. They understand the difference between a mainstream classroom teacher and someone who is trained to work with children with complex needs. They also have a ready pool of vetted candidates.
Agencies like Impact Teachers also support schools throughout the hiring process — not just at the start. This kind of ongoing support makes a real difference, especially for schools in areas where SEN staff are particularly hard to find.
Building a School Culture That Retains SEN Staff
Recruitment is only one part of the problem. Retention is just as important — and in some ways, harder.
A teacher might join your school full of energy and good intentions. But if they feel isolated, unsupported, or overwhelmed, they will leave. And when a skilled SEN teacher leaves, it disrupts the children they were working with, which makes things even harder for everyone.
So, how do you build a school that SEN teachers actually want to stay in?
- Create a proper induction. Do not assume new staff know everything. Give them time to settle in and learn your school’s systems.
- Assign a mentor. Pairing new SEN teachers with experienced colleagues helps them feel less alone.
- Hold regular check-ins. A short, informal meeting every few weeks can catch problems before they become serious.
These steps do not cost much. But they make a huge difference to how long a teacher stays.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
It is easy to treat the SEN teacher shortage as a short-term problem that will sort itself out. But it will not. The number of children with identified special educational needs keeps growing each year. Schools that do not plan ahead will keep struggling.
This means that recruiting well and retaining staff are not optional extras. Schools are also increasingly exploring online education benefits to support both teachers and students more effectively. They are central to how a school runs. Moreover, when it comes to choosing the right school, parents increasingly look at how well institutions support children with special educational needs. They need teachers who know them, understand their needs, and are there for the long term.
That is why it makes sense to use every resource available — including specialist job platforms. Browsing current SEN teacher jobs listings can give school leaders a clearer sense of what is out there and what candidates are looking for.
Final Thoughts
The shortage of SEN teachers is a real and growing challenge. However, it is not unsolvable. Schools that take recruitment seriously, invest in staff wellbeing, and use the right support networks can make genuine progress.
Whether you are a headteacher, SENCO, or part of a school’s HR team, the steps are clear. Look at how you advertise your roles, how you support new staff, and how you make your school a place where SEN teachers want to build a career.
And if you need help finding the right people quickly, working with a trusted agency is one of the smartest moves you can make. Impact Teachers has helped hundreds of schools across the UK do exactly that. The right teacher is out there — you just need the right approach to find them.
