Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant

Month 15 – SEND Legislation and Theories

Overview

This unit builds foundational specialist knowledge of national and local SEND legislation, policy and procedures, alongside the theoretical underpinnings of SEND (including ASD, attachment and trauma). Apprentices explore how statutory frameworks translate into day-to-day practice and professional responsibility.

Suitability

This unit is particularly suited to apprentices:

• Working regularly with learners with SEND
• Supporting EHCPs, SEN Support Plans or targeted interventions
• Aspiring to SEN-focused progression routes (e.g. SENCO)

The focus on trauma, attachment and inclusive practice ensures learning is responsive to increasingly complex pupil needs.

Delivery

• Teaching masterclass to establish legislative and theoretical frameworks
• Written assignment mapping policy to practice
• SENCO feedback to support professional reflection and development
• Research-led independent study (trauma-informed practice, attachment theory)
• Strong links to safeguarding, EDI and inclusive practice

Month 16 – Identification and Assessment of SEND

Overview

This unit develops critical understanding of early identification, assessment approaches and the tools used to identify SEND. Apprentices evaluate principles of assessment and apply them to real practice contexts.

Suitability

Suitable for apprentices who:

• Contribute to monitoring pupil progress and SEND identification
• Support observations, assessments or intervention planning
• Work closely with SENCOs or external professionals

It strengthens professional confidence in evidence-informed identification and decision-making.

Delivery

• Masterclass covering identification pathways and assessment tools
• Written analytical assignment evaluating identification approaches
• Workplace review of assessment tools, interventions and resources
• Apprentices design and deliver training to colleagues, supporting leadership development
• Clear sequencing from theory → application → dissemination

Month 17 – Supporting SEND Learning

Overview

This unit focuses on the impact of SEND on learning and development, and the practical strategies required to adapt provision and advance learning for pupils with a range of needs.

Suitability

Ideal for apprentices who:

• Deliver or adapt learning activities for pupils with SEND
• Implement personalised strategies or interventions
• Play a key role in inclusive classroom practice

This unit consolidates specialist identity and applied competence.

Delivery

• Teaching masterclass on impact and adaptive strategies
• Written assignment evidencing implementation of SEND strategies
• Policy review and recommendations, strengthening organisational impact
• CIAG focus on SENCO/DSL pathways and progression
• Direct alignment to EPA professional discussion skills

Month 15 – SEWB Legislation and Theory

Overview

This unit introduces mental health and social-emotional wellbeing policy, alongside theoretical frameworks that underpin emotional development and resilience in educational contexts.

Suitability

Well suited to apprentices working with:

• Vulnerable learners
• Behavioural, emotional or mental health needs
• Pastoral or inclusion teams

This unit supports a whole-child, preventative approach to learning.

Delivery

• Masterclass delivery of policy and theory
• Assignment linking legislation to practice
• Peer feedback on wellbeing strategies
• Research-based learning (e.g. Skills and Competencies Approach)

Month 16 – Promoting Social and Emotional Well-being

Overview

This unit focuses on promotion, identification and signposting, enabling apprentices to evaluate tools, interventions and referral processes.

Suitability

Appropriate for apprentices who:

• Deliver wellbeing interventions
• Identify learners requiring additional support
• Liaise with safeguarding or pastoral teams

Delivery

• Evaluative written assignment
• Workplace review of resources and interventions
• Design and delivery of colleague training
• Strong links to safeguarding and inclusive practice

Month 17 – Learning and Assessment to Support Well-being

Overview

This unit explores how wellbeing impacts learning and assessment, and how strategies can be embedded into teaching, assessment and feedback practices.

Suitability

Suitable for apprentices supporting:

• Learners with SEMH needs
• Inclusive assessment approaches
• Emotional regulation and engagement

Delivery

• Masterclass on wellbeing–learning links
• Reflective assignment evidencing applied strategies
• Policy review task
• Career progression exploration (SENCO/DSL routes)

Across all pathways, the option units:

• Deepen specialist identity and confidence
• Strengthen applied professional judgment
• Prepare apprentices effectively for Gateway and EPA
• Support progression into senior or specialist roles
• Maintain strong alignment to KSBs, safeguarding, EDI and CIAG

If you’d like, I can:

• Re-write this to match Ofsted/IQA language
• Map this phase explicitly to EPA assessment methods
• Produce a one-page summary per option for handbooks or employer guides

A Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant works closely with teachers to provide more advanced support for children and young people, particularly those with diverse or additional needs. you may specialise in areas such as SEND, social and emotional wellbeing, or a specific curriculum area. You’ll help plan and deliver learning activities, support inclusive practice and contribute to pupils’ progress throughout their school life. This apprenticeship is designed to develop specialist knowledge and help experienced teaching assistants progress into more advanced support roles in education.

This apprenticeship is ideal if you’re an experienced teaching assistant looking to progress your career and develop specialist expertise. If you’re passionate about supporting learners with a wide range of needs and want to play a bigger role in inclusive education, this programme could be a great next step in your career.

The Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship is designed for experienced teaching assistants who are already working in an education setting. You’ll need to be able to apply your learning in your current role and meet the programme modules through your job responsibilities. This means you should already have practical experience supporting teaching and learning, and be ready to develop more advanced knowledge and specialist skills.

You will develop advanced knowledge and skills to support children and young people with diverse needs and promote inclusive practice in education. The programme covers areas such as safeguarding, child development, behaviour management, communication, curriculum planning and assessment. You’ll also explore coaching and mentoring, partnership working and professional development. As part of the apprenticeship, you will choose a specialist module to study covering either SEND, social and emotional wellbeing or curriculum provision.

The apprenticeship typically lasts around 21 months. During this time, you’ll complete a mix of face-to-face and online learning while continuing in your job role. Apprentices must also complete a minimum of six hours per week of off-the-job training, which may include online teaching, digital resources, workplace assessments and one-to-one support. The programme ends with an end-point assessment to evaluate the knowledge, skills and behaviours you’ve developed.

Off-the-job training is structured learning that takes place during your paid working hours but is separate from your normal day-to-day duties. You’re required to complete a minimum of six hours per week of this training to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your apprenticeship. Activities can include online learning, workshops, research, mentoring and other development tasks relevant to your role.

You can also use our Learner Enrichment Calendar to help plan and log suitable off-the-job activities that count towards your training hours, giving you a variety of ways to grow your skills throughout the programme.

All off-the-job training hours must be recorded on your e-portfolio system, Aptem, to ensure your progress is tracked throughout your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Management and Delivery System | Aptem MIS

For the learner, there is no cost.

For employers, the cost depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy:

• Levy-paying employers: You can use your apprenticeship levy funds to cover the full cost of the programme. These funds are accessed through your digital apprenticeship service account.
• Non-levy employers: The government will fund 95% of the training cost, meaning you only pay the remaining 5%. Based on the £6,000 funding band, this equates to just £300.

This makes apprenticeships a highly cost-effective way to develop your workforce, with the majority of training costs covered through government support.