Why SEND Support Is Growing in Schools

Education is changing.

Mainstream schools are now supporting more pupils with additional needs than ever before.

Many schools now have:

• SEND departments
• Inclusion hubs
• Resource provisions
• Pupils requiring 1:1 EHCP support
• Behaviour support programmes

As a result, the demand for specialist SEND Teaching Assistants and behaviour support staff is growing rapidly.

Schools increasingly want staff who understand behaviour, communication needs and emotional regulation — not just general classroom support.

The PK Specialist SEND Team has been created to help schools meet this demand.

Specialist SEND Support Staff for Schools

The PK Specialist SEND Team works with mainstream schools, specialist provisions, PRUs and alternative provisions across the UK.

We help schools recruit specialist support staff including:

SEND Teaching Assistants

Supporting pupils with additional learning needs in mainstream classrooms or SEND departments.

Behaviour Mentors

Working with pupils with SEMH needs to support behaviour regulation and engagement in learning.

Autism Support Assistants

Supporting pupils with Autism Spectrum Condition through structured learning support and communication strategies.

1:1 EHCP Support Staff

Providing individual support for pupils with Education Health Care Plans.

Resource Provision Support Staff

Supporting pupils within specialist SEND units attached to mainstream schools.

Our focus is always on quality candidates and consistent support for schools.

Why Schools Choose PK Education

Schools choose PK Education because we combine education recruitment expertise with specialist SEND knowledge.

The PK Specialist SEND Team provides:

Specialist Candidate Pools

We actively recruit candidates with backgrounds in education, youth work, support work, residential care and mental health services.

SEND-Focused Recruitment

Our consultants understand SEND environments and take time to understand each school’s specific needs.

Consistent Long-Term Placements

SEND roles often require stability. We prioritise long-term placements that provide consistent support for pupils.

A Trusted Recruitment Partner

PK Education has built strong relationships with schools across the UK by providing reliable and high-quality education staff.

A Rewarding Career in SEND

Working in SEND is one of the most rewarding roles in education.

SEND support staff help pupils who may face additional challenges including:

• Autism
• Behavioural needs
• Communication difficulties
• Learning difficulties
• Social and emotional challenges

The right support can help pupils build confidence, develop independence and succeed in school.

Many people already have the skills needed to succeed in SEND roles, even if they have not worked in schools before.

Who Makes a Great SEND Candidate?

Great SEND professionals often come from backgrounds such as:

• Teaching Assistants
• Youth Workers
• Support Workers
• Residential Care Workers
• Sports Coaches
• Psychology or Criminology Graduates
• Mental Health Support Workers

What matters most is having the right qualities:

• Patience
• Resilience
• Confidence managing behaviour
• Strong communication skills
• A genuine passion for supporting young people

Developing SEND Talent

The PK Specialist SEND Team also focuses on developing SEND candidates through training and support.

We help candidates build specialist skills including:

• Behaviour management strategies
• Autism awareness
• Supporting SEMH needs
• Emotional regulation techniques
• Trauma informed practice
• Safeguarding and SEND awareness

This allows candidates to grow into experienced SEND professionals who can make a real difference in schools.

Meet the PK Specialist SEND Team

Tracey Young leads the PK Specialist SEND Team, bringing over 10 years of experience supporting schools with specialist SEND staffing solutions.

During her career she has worked closely with mainstream schools, specialist settings, PRUs and alternative provisions, helping schools recruit the right staff to support pupils with additional needs including autism, SEMH and behavioural challenges.

At PK Education, Tracey leads the development of the SEND strategy, helping consultants build specialist candidate pipelines and supporting schools with consistent, high-quality SEND staff.

Why SEND Matters to Tracey

Tracey’s passion for SEND comes from her own life experiences.

Growing up, she saw first-hand how important the right support can be for young people facing difficult circumstances. She was also a young carer for family members with disabilities, which gave her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living with additional needs.

These experiences shaped her belief that the right support in the classroom can change the direction of a young person’s life.

Supporting Schools and Pupils

Tracey’s focus is simple — helping schools access the right people with the right mindset to support pupils with additional needs.

Through the PK Specialist SEND Team, she works to ensure schools have access to skilled, compassionate SEND professionals who can make a real difference.