nurbook
The SEN Practitioner: Status, Skills, and Support
Author(s): Tristan Middleton
- Publisher: Routledge
- Publication Date: June 22 2026
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 232 pages
- ISBN-10: 1041034458
- ISBN-13: 9781041034452
Book Description
The ‘SEN Practitioner’ can take many forms, from the SENCo, pastoral lead, or nurture practitioner to the teaching assistant or classroom teacher. All are essential lynchpins within the education system who provide inclusive opportunities for children with SEND.
This rich, edited collection explores the range of practitioners that make up the SEN workforce and considers their skills, attributes, and needs in depth. It focuses on practitioners in a range of settings, including mainstream, special schools, and alternative provision, and provides comprehensive guidance on what each role entails. Chapters also consider the diverse needs of SEN practitioners and share perspectives from neurodivergent professionals, which thoughtfully explore how practitioners can be developed and supported themselves. Throughout, reflections and takeaways are included, to prompt readers to identify how key insights can be transferred to their own setting and practice.
By drawing together chapters from a range of contexts, this book provides an essential overview of the diversity of the SEN workforce and key next steps for further training and development. It will be valuable reading for SENCos, Multi Academy Trusts, and CPD Leads, as well as students of education, inclusion, and SEND.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“The SEN Practitioner is a must-have resource for those practitioners working with our SEND learners and those who aspire to foster more inclusive approaches in all contexts. The need to challenge and change existing school cultures to become more compassionate and inclusive (for both professionals and students) is highlighted in this comprehensive and informative book. I can highly recommend it.” – Dr Tina Rae, HCPC Registered Educational and Child Psychologist, Author and Educational Consultant
“As the societal concept of Neurodiversity rapidly emerges, this book is a timely and welcome addition for practitioners in the field of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, enabling them to appraise how this concept may helpfully influence their role, practice and, ultimately, the provision offered to children who are neurodiverse. Through a rich range of chapters from insightful practitioners, traditional and emerging roles and practices are explored, which recontextualise and re-evaluate their juxtaposition in the ever-changing scenario that is SEND. I highly commend to all involved in the day-to-day organisation, planning and delivery of high quality education to children with additional needs.” – Professor Barry Carpenter CBE, OBE, Oxford Brookes University
“This book is an invaluable resource for anyone working in education. It champions the idea that by investing in the status, skills, and support of our SEN practitioners, we are making the most direct and meaningful investment in the outcomes and futures of our children. Read it, reflect on it, and let it inspire your practice.” – Annamarie Hassall MBE, Chief Executive, nasen
About the Author
Tristan Middleton is Senior Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the University of Gloucestershire, UK. He is editor of the British Journal of Special Education and has a wide range of academic article publications as well as book chapters and books. Tristan is passionate about educational inclusion and the opportunities that those in Higher Education have to make a positive impact upon education practice.