From Helpers to Heroes: Redefining the Role of TAs in SEN Support
Overview
In this insightful and often fiery webinar, Abigail Hawkins reimagines the role of Teaching Assistants (TAs) within SEN support—not as passive “helpers” but as empowered, strategically deployed professionals. With her signature honesty and practical wisdom, Abigail delves into both the dark and golden sides of TA deployment and challenges SENCOs to rethink how they support, train, and value these essential staff members.
Why SENCOs Should Watch
This session is essential viewing for SENCOs who:
- Feel frustrated by outdated models of TA deployment.
- Are seeking practical ways to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND.
- Want to empower their TA teams without increasing budget or workload.
- Are ready to shift their school’s mindset from dependence to independence in pupil support.
Abigail’s no-nonsense approach, supported by research and real-world examples, makes this session both thought-provoking and immediately actionable.
Key Takeaways
1. From Shadows to Strategic
- TAs should act as supportive shadows, appearing when needed and fading when students can succeed independently.
- Over-dependence on a single TA limits student growth and creates unsustainable models of support.
2. Rejecting the Velcro Model
- The “Velcro TA” (always attached to a pupil) stifles interaction, reduces independence, and undermines the teacher’s role.
- Instead, aim for fading support and least help first.
3. Reimagining TA Deployment
- SENCOs must take control of where and how TAs are used.
- Deployment should be strategic—not based on convenience or habit.
- Be brave in challenging the status quo and reassigning staff based on impact.
4. Training and Professional Development
- TAs deserve and need robust training, including:
- Scaffolding techniques
- Behaviour support
- SEN-specific needs (e.g., ADHD, autism, dyslexia)
- Schools must stop treating TA roles as “add-ons” without CPD opportunities.
5. Empowering TAs through the HEROES Model
Abigail introduces the HEROES acronym:
- Highly Skilled – ongoing training is essential.
- Empowered – trust TAs to make decisions.
- Responsive – adapt support dynamically.
- Outcome-Focused – support should lead to greater independence.
- Empathy – understand pupil needs deeply.
- Strategically Deployed – based on student need, not adult preference.
6. SENCO Leadership Role
- Advocate for better TA models within SLT.
- Set expectations for flexible, impact-focused deployment.
- Review and evaluate effectiveness regularly (diaries, feedback, observations).
- Embed TA training into school-wide CPD.
Let’s stop gluing TAs to pupils and start building bridges to independence.
Links:
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