Do Teaching Assistants Get SEN Allowance? Here’s What No One Tells You

Thursday. Rainy. Mrs Khan just asked the classic question over cold tea and half a biscuit: “Do teaching assistants get SEN allowance?”

It’s the kind of thing whispered across staff rooms. And for good reason. We work with kids who throw chairs, chew sleeves, or hide under tables. We learn Makaton on the weekend. We walk out with teeth marks on our arms and glitter in our hair.

So it’s fair to ask: Do we get anything extra for it? Here’s the short version—no, not officially. But the full story’s messier than that. And if you’re stepping into SEN work for the first time, you deserve the full picture.

I’ve worked across three schools, and here’s the truth: SEN allowance? Depends more on your school’s budget than your badge of honour.

Teaching Assistant Roles: What You Actually Sign Up For

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Some days, it’s rewarding. Some days, it’s chaos with a side of joy.

You might be assigned to one child or float between groups. One minute, you’re helping someone with phonics. Next, you’re wiping snot off the visual schedule board. You’ll handle communication tools, meltdown protocols, and emergency snack duty.

SEN work is emotional, physical, and constant. But when a child finally holds your hand after three months of silence—it’s gold.

That’s what a teaching assistant does, especially in SEN. You patch the gaps no one sees.

So… Do Teaching Assistants Get SEN Allowance?

Here’s the official answer:

No. SEN allowance only applies to qualified teachers. It’s written into teacher pay policies across the UK. Teachers in special settings, or those with significant SEN responsibilities, get an extra £2,500 to £5,000 a year.

Teaching assistants? Not covered. Even if you’re tube-feeding a student while managing a meltdown, that pay band stays the same.

Does that feel fair? Not really. But is it true? Yes.

“But My Friend in London Gets More…”

Right—and here’s why.

Some schools bump you up a grade if the role is harder. For example, a Level 2 TA job in the mainstream might pay £19,000 a year. But a similar job in an autism resource base might pay £21,000.

That’s not an SEN allowance. That’s a higher pay grade based on the role description.

Big difference. And in London, pay gets a boost from what’s called London weighting. That’s meant to cover the higher cost of living. Not your student’s needs.

So if your mate in Tower Hamlets earns more, it’s not thanks to an SEN bonus. It’s thanks to location, job grade, or a supportive headteacher who fought for better TA pay. 

How Much Does a SEN Teaching Assistant Earn?

Let’s break it down. These are full-time, 37-hours-a-week numbers. If you’re term-time only (most of us are), your actual pay will be less.

Entry-Level Pay (2025 rates)

• Northern towns or villages: £18,000 to £19,500
• Midlands or Yorkshire cities: £19,000 to £21,000
• Inner London: £21,000 to £24,000

Mid-Level Pay (Level 2 or 3 + experience)

• Most regions: £22,000 to £25,000
• London and South East: up to £27,000

Advanced Roles (HLTAs, SEN specialists)

• Nationwide average: £26,000 to £29,000
• London: sometimes hits £30,000

Keep in mind—these are not guaranteed. Your pay depends on your contract, not your badge. Two TAs doing the same job in different boroughs can earn £5,000 apart.

Frustrating? Yes. But not hopeless. Get a broader idea about SEN Teaching Assistant’s salaries in our blog.

“Can I Ask for More If I’m Doing SEN Work?”

You can—and sometimes you should.

Here’s what to do:

1. Check your job description. If it says “intimate care,” “1:1 behavioural support,” or “medical needs,” you may have grounds for a higher grade.
2. Ask about regrading. Quietly. Professionally. Frame it around duties, not feelings. Say, “I’ve taken on more complex care needs than this post originally listed. Could we review the banding?”
3. Bring evidence. Daily logs. Emails. Parent feedback. Anything that shows your actual workload.
4. Use your union. UNISON and GMB both help TAs push for regrades. You’re not alone.

In short—there’s no SEN allowance. But there are other levers to pull.

A Quick Story from the Playground

In my second school, I supported a non-verbal Year 4 boy with complex trauma. He bolted daily. Bit twice a week. Once, he locked me in a cupboard. I asked for a review after four months. The head said:

“You’re technically still a Level 2 TA, so we can’t adjust much.”

But then I showed the risk assessments. The training logs. The incident reports. They raised my grade the next term. No back pay but a £2,000 increase.

Not an SEN allowance—but real money. Earned. Documented. Asked for.

What School Leaders Won’t Always Say

Some heads want to pay more but can’t. Budgets are tight. Support staff funding shrinks every year. So they give verbal thanks. They print certificates. They “couldn’t do it without you.”Which is nice. But won’t cover your heating bill.

Still, some schools find a way. They move your role to Level 3 and fund training. They offer extra INSET days. That’s why it pays to know your contract—and to build strong, respectful links with leadership.

Real Talk: What Makes It Worth It?

Here’s what no job ad tells you. The child who’s been mute for six months will whisper your name. The non-verbal girl will grab your hand to lead you to what she needs. The teenager who lashes out will scribble you a thank-you card before leaving school.

No SEN allowance pays for that. But no pay slip erases it either. This job is heart-first. But you still deserve fair pay for hard work.

How to Set Yourself Up for Better Pay

Let’s get practical. Here’s what works.

1. Train Smart

Get your Level 3. Add autism training. Learn PECS, Makaton, or BSL. Schools take notice.

2. Track Everything

Keep a diary. Log incidents. Note new duties. That paper trail matters.

3. Ask Questions in Reviews

Say: “My duties have grown. Is there room for regrading next term?”

4. Compare Payscales

Look at job ads in your area. Know what other schools pay. Use it as leverage.

5. Join a Union

They help you write letters, file pay queries, and stay within school policy.

Final Word from the Staffroom

“Do teaching assistants get SEN allowance?” No. Not in the official pay books. But your real value comes from how clearly you show what you do. If your role has grown, speak up. If you need training, ask for it.  And if they keep saying no while stacking extra jobs on your desk? Dust off your CV. Because somewhere out there, another school sees your worth—and pays it too.

Level up your support skills! Join our expert-led online SEN Course at Wise Campus—unlock confidence, strategies, and real impact in every classroom.