Petition · Department for Education
Expand statutory SEN allowance entitlement to Teaching Assistants in SEN schools
Open for signatures
17,457 signatures
What the petition asks
Many SEN teaching assistants (TAs) handle complex behavioural, medical, and communication needs. We feel current pay doesn’t reflect the intensity or value of the work. Low pay contributes to recruitment & retention challenges. We believe TAs should receive SEN allowances.
TAs in SEN settings often take on duties beyond those of mainstream support staff, such as: managing complex behaviour plans, delivering therapy or intervention programmes, monitoring medical or sensory needs, and using specialist equipment or communication systems (e.g., PECS, Makaton, AAC).
We believe these responsibilities mirror tasks of higher-paid specialist roles, yet we feel TAs are not compensated accordingly. SEN TAs should receive the statutory SEN allowance because we believe the role demands specialist knowledge that significantly exceed standard classroom duties.
We believe these responsibilities mirror tasks of higher-paid specialist roles, yet we feel TAs are not compensated accordingly. SEN TAs should receive the statutory SEN allowance because we believe the role demands specialist knowledge that significantly exceed standard classroom duties.
Timeline
| 10 Feb 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Passed 10,000 signatures, requiring a government response |
Key facts
Signatures
17,457
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Department for Education
Opened
10 Feb 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.