Why We Are Recruiting and Training SEN Care Support Staff
We like to stay on the ball at Nurseplus and, in our recent research we've heard about big changes starting to happen in the area of special educational needs (SEN). What we've learned is that private children's care homes or children's residential homes are stepping up to provide services, but also bringing along some interesting recruitment challenges. That's why, at Nurseplus, we've stepped up our search for experienced children's services staff and improved access to specialised children's services training to help support SEN children in all settings.
What has caused the switch?
1. There's been a noticeable rise in the number of children needing special education support. Conditions such as autism and mental health disorders are on the rise, and this means more specialised learning environments are needed.
Fact: 1 in 6 children aged 5 - 16 are likely to have a mental health disorder, which translates to five children in a classroom of 30 being likely to have some sort of mental health concern.
2. State or publicly funded schools or other educational bodies are finding it hard to keep up with the pace of this growing demand. As a result, local authorities are forced to look to private children's care homes or children's residential homes to help out.
3. Thanks to the latest budget constraints it's proving difficult for local authorities to maintain SEN facilities such as private children's care homes or children's residential homes despite higher costs, they're having to turn to the private sector.
What does this mean for recruitment?
This rise in the need for private children's care homes, children's residential homes, and SEN schools has inevitably led to a greater need for qualified staff and of course, this comes with its challenges:
There's a shortage of qualified staff: The fast growth of these schools means we need more trained professionals than are currently available and the supply of newly trained and experienced care staff is dwindling. According to The Kings Fund, young people are less likely to choose care as a career path due to feeling undervalued and overworked, see the study and results here.
Specialised training is needed: Specialised training is essential for staff working in Special Educational Needs (SEN) environments. The unique challenges and diverse needs of young people in these settings require support staff to possess specific skills and in-depth knowledge. Without this specialised training, settings may struggle to effectively support young people with varying mental disorders and learning difficulties.
Staff retention is a challenge: Staff retention is a significant challenge for many organisations today. The high demand for services, combined with difficult and often stressful work environments, can lead to increased levels of burnout among staff members. This situation not only affects employee morale and productivity but also makes it harder for companies to maintain a stable and experienced workforce.
So how are Nurseplus responding?
We're aware of the unique challenges that come with working in SEN settings so we'd like to reassure our care partners that we are actively recruiting children's care professionals, and providing specific training so these recruits are prepared to support your SEN setting.
Our training team have worked hard to develop specific training programmes for care candidates who are interested in a career in children's care. This comprehensive training means Nurseplus care staff are prepared to support the education and development of young people with mental health needs and are familiar with the challenges that come along with it.
At Nurseplus, we're passionate about helping our team members shape their careers, because we believe that a happy staff equals excellent care. Partnering with us means having access to a reliable, caring group of skilled children's care workers who are ready to step in when you need them - for those unexpected absences or longer-term leaves. We think it's crucial to invest in your people, to empower your staff to excel in areas of care they love.
Those who opt to work in children's care have our full support, with plenty of learning resources tailored to their chosen field. We offer everything from apprenticeships and our unique Education and Development Training to online learning and in-person courses. We're in this together, understanding our staff's ambitions and cheering them on as they strive to achieve them.
You can count on us for your SEN staff needs
We are dedicated to empowering our Special Educational Needs (SEN) care partners as they navigate the evolving challenges of supporting the children in their care and we are committed to adapting alongside the changing needs of the SEN sector. We want to support children's care homes, children's residential homes, and SEN schools through these challenges. Putting particular focus on the recruitment, training, and retention of high-quality, experienced, children's care staff we can confidently provide our care partners with candidates who are dedicated to working with children in private special needs schools. Our efforts aim not only to enhance the skills and capabilities of our team but also to build a supportive environment that positively impacts the lives of the young people we care for.
By investing in our staff and ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the unique needs of each child, we can create a nurturing and effective educational atmosphere that will ultimately build a robust support network. With Nurseplus, our care partners can thrive by expertly supporting the growth and development of every child in their care. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Posted on February 16, 2025 by Nurseplus