A career in Special Educational Needs (SEN) education doesn’t always begin in a classroom. In fact, some of the most valuable skills in specialist education are developed long before someone steps into a school.

For Maddie Harston, who specialises in SEN recruitment across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the wider BCP area, recognising that potential is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.

Working closely with specialist schools and candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds, Maddie is passionate about helping people discover how their existing experience could translate into a meaningful career supporting children and young people with additional needs.

You don’t need classroom experience to make a difference

When people think about working in SEN education, they often assume that previous classroom experience or specific teaching qualifications are essential. However, many of the qualities needed to thrive in a specialist setting are developed in other professions.

Maddie regularly works with people who have backgrounds in care, youth work, sports coaching, childcare, residential support, mentoring and other roles involving children, young people or vulnerable adults.

“While their previous job title might not say Teaching Assistant, the skills they’ve developed can be highly relevant. For me, recruitment is partly about recognising those transferable skills and helping candidates see how their experience could fit within an SEN setting.”

A sports coach, for example, may already have experience motivating young people, managing behaviour, adapting communication styles and building relationships with different personalities. Someone with a childcare background may be familiar with creating structure, recognising individual needs and remaining patient when situations don’t go to plan.

Looking beyond a CV

Similarly, youth workers and mentors often bring valuable experience in building confidence, supporting young people through challenges and developing trusting relationships.

For Maddie, it’s about looking beyond a CV and recognising the potential in each individual. Rather than focusing solely on qualifications or previous job titles, she takes the time to understand a candidate’s experience, motivations and personal strengths, helping them see opportunities they may not have previously considered.

“I particularly enjoy working with those who are passionate about working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and have transferable experience but don’t know that this fits. I don’t expect every candidate to arrive with years of classroom experience.”

From there, Maddie talks candidates through the different opportunities available and, where appropriate, introduces them to schools where their experience and personality could be a good fit.

Working with SEN schools

Every SEN school is different, and understanding those differences is another important part of Maddie’s role at The Supply Room.

Working closely with specialist schools across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the wider BCP area, Maddie takes the time to understand what each setting needs from its staff. A school supporting pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), for example, will have different requirements from a provision supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs or autism.

From the day-to-day responsibilities of a role to the level of support pupils require, no two settings are quite the same. Finding the right person means looking beyond qualifications and previous job titles to understand the school’s environment, its pupils and the dynamics of its existing team.

Just as important is finding a school where candidates feel they belong. A role should suit not only a candidate’s experience and skills but also their personality, interests and passion for supporting young people.

“It’s rewarding when a candidate who started out unsure whether their experience was relevant finds a role they really enjoy.”

It’s this connection between the right people and the right schools that gives Maddie a real sense of purpose in her work. Being able to support specialist settings while helping candidates discover opportunities they genuinely enjoy is what makes SEN recruitment so rewarding.

And because her work is rooted in the local community, every successful placement helps strengthen the network of people supporting children and young people across the BCP area.

Building connections across the local SEN community

For Maddie, SEN recruitment is about more than filling a vacancy. 

Behind every role is a specialist school looking for someone who can support its pupils and become a valued part of its team. Behind every candidate is a person looking for an opportunity where their skills, experience and passion for working with young people can be put to good use.

Being able to bring those two together is what Maddie enjoys most about her role. It’s an opportunity to support specialist schools, help candidates find fulfilling work and contribute to the local education community.

Whether it’s helping someone take their first steps into SEN education or supporting a school as it grows its team, Maddie values the relationships she builds along the way.

Get in Touch with Maddie

If you’re already working with children or young people through sports coaching, childcare, youth work, mentoring or another similar role and are considering moving into SEN education, your experience may be more transferable than you think.

Equally, if you’re an SEN school in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch or the surrounding Dorset area looking for reliable, passionate staff, Maddie would love to hear from you.

Get in touch with Maddie via email to discuss opportunities across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and the surrounding areas or contact her on 01202 800570.