Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of Special Educational Needs
A level 3 qualification for people supporting children and young people with special educational needs, in school or in the wider community.
About this course
Every classroom includes children with additional needs, and the staff who support them well are the ones who understand what sits behind those needs. This qualification builds that understanding across development, communication, and the practical business of helping a child reach their potential.
It works alongside a teaching assistant qualification, or on its own for people already working in a support role who want to specialise.
Who this is for
You need to be at least 16. AIM Qualifications states that learners will need the equivalent of level 2 literacy and numeracy skills in order to support children and young people in schools.
What you will study
Five mandatory units.
Development of children and young people
Expected development and the factors that affect it. 30 guided learning hours.
Professional practice in special educational needs service
Roles, responsibilities and working within the SEN system. 20 guided learning hours.
Understand how to support children and young people to achieve learning potential
Practical strategies for removing barriers to learning. 32 guided learning hours.
Understand how to support children and young people with speech, language and communication needs
Recognising and responding to communication needs. 40 guided learning hours.
Understand how to support disabled children and young people and those with specific requirements
Supporting learners with disabilities and specific requirements. 32 guided learning hours.
Where this can lead
Roles this can lead to
Job roles published by AIM Qualifications for this qualification. AIM also lists communication support worker, early years tutor, higher level teaching assistant, portage home visitor and primary school teacher as destinations following further study.
Further study
How you are assessed
Internally assessed through a portfolio of evidence and quality assured by AIM Qualifications. Pass or fail.
Support while you study
Every learner gets an individual learning plan, an initial assessment of English and maths, and a named tutor. You will have a college email address and access to Microsoft Teams. See our learning support and career support pages for what else is available.
Part of a pathway
This course sits within the following employment pathways. A pathway combines several qualifications into a route towards a particular kind of job.
Ready to get started?
Talk to us about whether this course is right for you, what funding you might be eligible for, and when the next start date is.
01287 280800 | adultlearning@atomix.ac.uk