Healthcare workers and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teaching assistants share many qualities and skills, which make them highly sought after for their roles. Both professions embrace a person-centred approach, prioritising individual needs and tailoring their methods to provide optimal support and understanding for those in their care.
What Does Each Role Involve?
Heathcare Worker
- Patient Care: Provides direct care to patients, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with daily activities.
- Support and Education: Offers emotional support and health education to patients and their families, ensuring they understand treatment plans and health practices.
SEND Teaching Assistant
- Support Learning: Assists in the educational development of students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adapting lessons to meet individual needs.
- Behavioural and Emotional Support: Helps manage behavioural issues and provides emotional support, fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment.
What Are The Similarities?
Healthcare workers and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teaching assistants share many qualities and skills, which make them highly sought after for their roles.
They have a strong sense of empathy and compassion, which is essential for understanding and supporting vulnerable individuals. Their ability to communicate complex concepts in simple terms is crucial, whether explaining medical procedures, or breaking down educational content.
Both roles require the person to be adaptable as they must frequently respond to changing situations or needs. This flexibility is complemented by keen observation skills, allowing them to notice subtle changes or issues that might otherwise go undetected.
Both healthcare workers and SEND teaching assistants are very capable of maintaining accurate and detailed documentation, collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and managing stress in challenging situations.
Why Would Healthcare Workers Make Good SEND Teaching Assistants?
Healthcare workers possess a unique skill set that makes them exceptionally well-suited for roles as SEND teaching assistants. Their experience in providing personalised support translates seamlessly into educational settings. Here are five key reasons why care workers can excel in supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities:
- Empathy and patience: Healthcare workers’ experience equips them with the compassion and understanding needed for working with diverse learners.
- Person-centred approach: Their skill in tailoring support to individual needs is crucial in SEND education, where personalised learning is paramount.
- Communication skills: Healthcare workers are adept at communicating with people who may have various challenges, including non-verbal individuals, which is essential in a SEND classroom.
- Behavioural management: Experience in handling challenging behaviours is invaluable in a SEND setting, where pupils may have complex emotional or behavioural needs.
- Practical skills and adaptability: Healthcare workers bring hands-on experience with personal care and are accustomed to dynamic environments, allowing them to adjust their approach as needed in the ever-changing world of SEND education.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It!
“I worked as a support worker for 6 Years in the community before being presented an opportunity to change career paths and work in a school setting. I really enjoyed being a support worker for the 6 Years I was one and the potential change to a school setting absolutely terrified me. I had never worked with anyone below 18 Years old, this felt like I was venturing into an entirely new career. I had no idea how much being a support worker would translate to working with children.
Through Connex I received the training needed and a support network overwhelmed with positivity. I truly didn’t realise how much the skills I learned as a support worker comes naturally to you in the classroom.
The awareness, communication skills, approachable aura, friendly attitude, things that you learn becoming a support worker translate seemingly in the classroom.
As a support worker who worked in a 1-1 Setting then going into a classroom of 15+ Children, at first was daunting but the pride I began to feel knowing I have an opportunity to make a difference in the future of these children was incredible, to know that I had an opportunity to not only help teach these students but also help them grow into the person they want to be is amazing.
If you’ve worked as a support worker you’ll most likely know that Rota’s and shift patterns can make or break your week, some weeks you might not have a weekend off, unsociable hours and split shifts can really take a toll.
However in the school setting the time absolutely flies, there’s no awkward times for shifts, weekends off, holidays off too. It’s very hard to complain about. It’s such a breath of fresh air, and it’s so cliché but waking up excited for work is such a good feeling.
The thing about Connex which was amazing to see but unexpected was the communication. They make sure to call me and check up on me and see how I’m getting on with my job and it comes across as genuine and not forced.
If you’ve never worked in a school setting, take the dive. Go for it! Two months ago if you told me I would work in a school I would’ve laughed, and now I can’t see myself wanting to do anything else.”
~ Gareth
Introducing Care to Classroom with Connex Education Academy
Transform your career with Connex Academy with our comprehensive Care to the Classroom progression package. This package includes 27 courses to transition from a healthcare professional into a SEND support role. In just three months, you will gain access to professional development opportunities and the chance to attain a Level 2 SEND qualification.
Our approach includes specialised onboarding training, which is particularly beneficial for newcomers entering the special education sector. As an individual embarking on a new career path, our program ensures a seamless transition and fosters career progression in a supportive environment.
Once you have completed your training, you will be assigned your very own dedicated consultant from our sister company, They will guide you, assist in finding your first education role, and match you with the perfect school.
What are you waiting for? Your new teaching career awaits, all at an unbeatable price! Get in touch today or check out our learning platform for more information.
Don’t forget to check out our ‘After The Bell’ podcast, which you can listen to on a weekly basis on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
If you would like any more information, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at info@connex-academy.com or call 0330 390 4113.