Teacher training - basic and specialist teacher training - United Kingdom (England)

All those seeking Qualified Teacher Status, by whatever route, must have basic knowledge and skills in the field of special educational needs and be familiar with the SEN Code of Practice.  Newly qualified teachers are  subject to statutory induction standards when they begin teaching; these include the requirement to plan effectively to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs.

The Education (Teachers) Regulations 1993 require that all teachers of classes of hearing-impaired pupils and visually-impaired pupils must obtain a relevant, additional, approved qualification within three years of appointment.  Continuing professional development (CPD) in special education is provided by a range of organisations, including LAs, higher education institutions, independent consultants  and voluntary agencies, as well as mainstream and special schools themselves (either for their own, or other schools’, staff). Schools use the funding which is delegated to them for Continuing Professional Development if that is felt to be a need.   

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has developed materials for teacher training providers to improve the coverage of special educational needs and disability issues in the initial training received by those intending to be teachers, including the creation of new study units. In addition, TDA has also established nationally accredited training arrangements for those charged with co-ordinating SEN provision in schools - the special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO).