Practical experience and readiness: questions and answers
Placements, observation, portfolios and interviews. Below are 11 questions people ask Google and AI assistants, each answered directly in a few sentences.
Do I need practical experience for SEN jobs?
Most employers value it highly.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Practice is not built into LCT's online course; arrange supervised time locally.
How can I gain experience while studying?
Volunteer at an inclusive school, special school, therapy centre or parent support group.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Your Diploma research paper can draw on what you observe.
How do I observe a child with special needs?
Watch without interrupting, record facts, note triggers and what helps, and protect privacy.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Observation underpins the assignments at Diploma level and above.
What should be in a special needs portfolio?
Certificates, anonymised support plans, adapted resources, references and reflections.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Your assignment and research paper are useful portfolio pieces.
How do I prepare for a shadow teacher interview?
Be ready to discuss autism and ADHD strategies, how you handle meltdowns, confidentiality and working with parents.
How London College of Teachers meets this: LCT's courses cover these strategies.
Is online SEN training enough to start?
For assistant and shadow roles, often with experience; licensed roles need more.
How London College of Teachers meets this: LCT states clearly that its courses do not license you as a special educator or qualify you to assess or diagnose.
Can I practise with my own child?
Yes, and many parents do; experience with other children helps for jobs.
How London College of Teachers meets this: LCT's courses are designed for parents as well as teachers.
Can I get a letter for a placement?
Some providers write letters to help arrange placements.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Ask LCT admissions.
How should I work with therapists?
Learn the goals they set, use agreed strategies, share observations and ask questions.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Collaboration with specialists is part of the PG Diploma.
What safeguarding should I know?
Child protection procedures, professional boundaries, intimate care policies and confidentiality.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Complete your employer's safeguarding training alongside LCT study.
What do schools check before hiring?
Qualifications, references, sometimes police clearance and a trial session.
How London College of Teachers meets this: Employers can verify LCT certificates online.
More special needs questions
- Special education basics
- Choosing a special needs course
- Special needs course fees and payment
- Eligibility and admission
- Studying online and assessment
- Certificate, scope and recognition
- Special education jobs and salary
- Autism, ADHD and learning disabilities
- Inclusive classroom strategies
- Special education in India
- Choosing a special needs course provider
- What special needs training should cover
- Learning support careers in the Gulf
- Special needs education in Africa
- Special needs education in Asia
- SEN in the UK, Europe and the Americas
- Special education career growth
- Special needs support for parents
- Studying special needs online successfully