How to Build Positive Relationships with SEN Pupils
Building strong, respectful relationships with children and young people who have Special Educational Needs (SEN) is at the heart of effective teaching and support. For UK job seekers considering roles as SEN teachers, SENCOs or teaching assistants (TAs), the ability to connect with pupils is as important as subject knowledge. This guide shares practical, evidence-informed ways to foster trust, engagement and progress with SEND learners across mainstream and specialist settings.
Start with understanding each learner
No two SEN pupils are the same. Begin by building a holistic picture of each learner’s strengths, interests, communication preferences and needs. Read their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), “pupil passport”, behaviour support plan and any previous reports. If you’re new to SEND, the SEND Code of Practice (0–25) is an essential UK reference.
Use a strengths-based approach: notice what the pupil can do and enjoys, then use those assets to remove barriers. For example, a pupil fascinated by transport might respond well to numeracy tasks using timetables. Understanding sensory needs (noise, light, touch), processing time, motor skills and social communication differences will help you anticipate triggers and set learners up for success.
Communicate clearly and respectfully
Positive relationships grow from clear, authentic and respectful communication. Aim to be predictable, patient and genuinely curious. Watch for non-verbal cues and give pupils time to process. Where needed, use visuals, now/next boards, timers, Makaton, AAC or social stories to make expectations and choices concrete.
- Use plain language and short sentences; check understanding, don’t just ask “Do you understand?”
- Offer choices where possible to build autonomy: “Would you like to start with reading or with your sensory break?”
- Model calm tone and body language; keep your stance non-threatening and give appropriate personal space.
- Validate feelings first: “It looks like that was frustrating. Let’s figure it out together.”
- Praise effort and strategy (“You tried a new way to solve that”) rather than only outcomes.
Remember that communication is two-way. Active listening—summarising, clarifying and reflecting emotion—shows pupils they are heard and safe with you.
Create predictable routines and a safe environment
Consistency reduces anxiety and builds trust. Agree routines for starting lessons, transitions, and endings; stick to them and pre-warn any changes. Visual timetables, first/then prompts and clear rules co-created with pupils help everyone know what to expect.
Audit the classroom environment with sensory needs in mind. Consider lighting, noise levels, seating, clutter and access to movement or quiet spaces. Provide fidget tools or sensory circuits if helpful, and teach pupils when and how to use them. Keep resources organised and labelled so pupils can be independent. Small, reliable actions—greeting pupils by name, being on time, having materials ready—signal that you are dependable.
View behaviour as communication
Challenging behaviour often communicates unmet needs: anxiety, fatigue, pain, sensory overload or confusion. Instead of taking it personally, be a detective. Use simple ABC (Antecedent–Behaviour–Consequence) notes to spot patterns and plan proactive support. Teach replacement skills explicitly—asking for help, using a break card, self-advocacy—so pupils have better options next time.
When de-escalating, reduce demands, lower your voice, and offer choices that help the pupil regain control. After the moment has passed, use restorative conversations to repair relationships and problem-solve together. Keep consequences logical, proportionate and focused on learning.
Practical steps for your first weeks in an SEN role
- Introduce yourself clearly and consistently; learn preferred names and pronouns.
- Read EHCPs, risk assessments and pupil profiles; confirm details with the SENCO.
- Create a simple communication profile for each pupil: what helps, what hinders, and motivators.
- Agree cues, signals and calm-down routines; practise them when pupils are regulated.
- Set 1–2 achievable goals per pupil (e.g., “Use a now/next board to transition twice daily”).
- Build success quickly with short, differentiated tasks and frequent, specific praise.
- Keep brief daily logs to share with families and staff; note wins as well as worries.
Work closely with families and professionals
Parents and carers are experts on their children. Start with a positive call or message, then keep communication regular and solution-focused. Use home–school books, agreed email updates or termly meetings—whatever works for the family. Ask what motivates the pupil at home and what strategies already work.
Collaborate with the SENCO, class teacher and external professionals such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. Align strategies so the pupil experiences consistency across settings. Always follow safeguarding procedures and data protection requirements when sharing information.
Differentiate, scaffold and celebrate progress
Match tasks to current skills, then gradually increase challenge. Break learning into manageable steps, use sentence starters or word banks, and provide worked examples. Offer multiple ways to show understanding—verbal responses, visuals, practical tasks—not just written work. Build in regular movement and sensory breaks to support regulation and focus.
Track small wins: a successful transition, using a help card, staying on task for a few extra minutes. Share achievements with pupils and families, and set the next step together. Progress is rarely linear; patience and consistency matter more than perfection.
Look after yourself and keep learning
Working in SEN is rewarding and demanding. Protect your wellbeing with clear boundaries, debriefs with colleagues and access to supervision if available. Invest in CPD: behaviour support, autism and social communication, trauma-informed practice, literacy interventions or assistive technology. Reflect regularly on what worked, what didn’t and what to try next—you’ll grow alongside your pupils.
Positive relationships with SEN pupils are built moment by moment: a calm greeting, a well-timed pause, a choice offered, a success noticed. With empathy, structure and collaboration, you’ll create a classroom where SEND learners feel safe, valued and ready to learn.
If you’re ready to begin or progress your career supporting SEND learners, explore current opportunities and guidance for UK settings here: Find SEN teaching and support roles. Your next step could make a lasting difference.
