Interview with SEND Education Recruitment Specialist: Paul Best

In this blog, you will learn:

• How working as an SEMH Teacher has provided this education recruitment specialist with valuable insights into the staffing needs of SEND schools.
• How Spencer Clarke Group helps to overcome recruitment challenges currently facing the SEND sector.
• Where the latest SEND jobs are and how to apply for them. 

In our latest installment of 'Interview with a Recruiter', we spoke with Managing Consultant Paul Best, an expert in SEND education recruitment. With years of experience as an SEMH Teacher, Paul offers valuable insights into the skills, experience, and personal qualities needed to succeed in SEND schools, alternative provisions, and PRUs. 

Paul offers a unique perspective on a sector he is deeply passionate about. He shares insights into his daily activities and discusses the challenges of recruiting for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Paul, tell us about yourself

I am a former SEMH Teacher and I spent years working in PRUs, alternative provisions and SEND schools. Teaching gave me a real understanding of the challenges schools face every day as well as the kind of staff who really make a difference. 

Moving into recruitment felt like a natural next step. I still get to support SEND schools just in a different way by helping them find the right people for their teams.

How did you end up in the world of recruitment?

I actually started out working as a Supply Teacher through an agency. After a while I went travelling and when I came back that same agency offered me the chance to move into recruitment. Because I had worked in schools I knew I could use that experience to understand what schools really need so I gave it a go and I’ve never looked back.

What does your role entail at Spencer Clarke Group?

I work with schools across Lancashire to find Teachers, Teaching Assistants and leadership staff. No two schools are the same so I always take the time to get to know what each one needs. 

Spencer Clarke Group also supports schools and local authorities with non-classroom based roles and more specialist positions including Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists. It means we can cover the whole spectrum of SEND recruitment, not just the classroom.

Who do you work with?

I usually work with Headteachers, SENCOs and School Business Managers in SEMH and SEND schools, as well as PRUs and alternative provisions. I also work closely with local authorities and therapy teams. 

Having been a Teacher myself I know how busy leaders are so my aim is to take some of the recruitment pressure off and make the process as smooth as possible.

Can you give us an insight into how your market works?

SEND recruitment is very specialised. It is not just about finding qualified staff, it is about finding people with the right mindset, patience and resilience. They must be able to build real relationships with young people. 

I personally help schools with everything from day-to-day cover to long term hires. My colleagues at Spencer Clarke Group can also bring in specialist and senior staff, so schools and services get a full package of support.

What is the best thing about being a recruiter in SEND education?

Honestly it is seeing the difference the right placement makes. When a Teacher, Teaching Assistant or a specialist goes into a school and really clicks with the students you can feel the impact straight away. 

I have been in the classroom myself so I know how tough it can be, but I also know how rewarding it is, so helping schools find people who will thrive there is the best part of the job.

What are the current challenges facing SEND schools?

There is definitely a shortage of experienced staff especially in areas like autism behaviour support and trauma informed practice. 

Schools are also under pressure with funding which makes things even harder. At the same time, pupil needs are becoming more complex so the demand for skilled professionals both in the classroom and in support services is only growing.

How does Spencer Clarke Group help overcome these challenges?

We do not just send over a CV and hope for the best. We really get to know the schools, their ethos and what their students need. Because I have worked in SEMH and SEND myself, I know what to look for when I am speaking with candidates. 

Spencer Clarke Group supports a number of school roles, so it is not just about filling teaching roles, it’s about building the whole support system around the students.

What advice would you give to someone looking for their first role in an SEND school?

Go in with an open mind and plenty of patience. Building relationships is key and once the pupils trust you everything else follows. Remember that behaviour is a form of communication so try to understand what is behind it, rather than just reacting to it. 

Lean on your colleagues too - teamwork is everything in SEND settings. If you are resilient and willing to learn you will find it one of the most rewarding paths in education.

What does the future hold for you at Spencer Clarke Group?

I want to keep growing our SEND division and building long term partnerships with schools, provisions and local authorities. Longer term, I would love to build my own division and expand on our expertise with supporting schools and students.

SEND Teacher jobs

If you’re searching for your next SEND Teacher job, why not take a look at the latest teaching vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.

Recruit SEND Teachers

As a specialist SEND recruitment agency, we support mainstream and SEND schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs. 

We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best SEND Teachers and SEND Teaching Assistants in the North West.

If you’re struggling to fill a teaching vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?

• Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher 
• Secondary schools - Liam Jones
• SEND schools - Jamie Heath

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Established in 2017, we’re an award winning and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Our reputation is built on trust, expertise and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. 

In 2024, we were named Recruitment Agency of the Year at the prestigious Recruiter Awards, an accolade we are extremely proud of.