What careers can I pursue with Learning Support?

SEND Teaching Assistant: Supporting individual pupils with identified learning needs. Learning Support Coordinator: Managing SEND provision across a school or department. Educational Psychologist: Assessing and supporting children with learning difficulties. Speech & Language Assistant: Delivering therapy programmes under professional supervision. Residential Support Worker: Supporting young people with SEND in residential settings.

What university courses does Learning Support lead to?

Learning Support is a strong foundation for university study in: Special Educational Needs, Educational Psychology, Inclusive Education, Speech & Language Therapy.

Learning Support Revision

Q: What subjects pair well with Learning Support?

Teaching & Education: SEND provision is integral to all educational settings Childcare & Early Years: Early identification of SEND is critical in early years Health & Social Care: Many SEND learners require integrated health and care support

Develop skills to support learners with special educational needs and disabilities.

A2A Training Ltd, ABE, ABMA Education Ltd, Agored Cymru, AIM Qualifications, Ascentis, ASDAN, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, ATHE Ltd, Awarding Body for the Built Environment, Best Practice Network, BIIAB, British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust, Cambridge OCR, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, City & Guilds Limited, City and Guilds of London Institute, Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education, Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, Defence Awarding Organisation, ETC Awards Limited, Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited, Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd, Focus Awards Limited, Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd, Gateway Qualifications Limited, GQA Qualifications Limited, Highfield Qualifications, iCan Qualifications Limited, Industry Qualifications, Innovate Awarding, ITC First, King's Trust, Laser Learning Awards, NCFE, NOCN, Occupational Awards Limited, OCN London, Open Awards, Open College Network Northern Ireland, Open College Network West Midlands, Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region trading as Certa, Open University Awarding Body, PAA\VQSET, Pearson, Pearson EDI, Pearson Education Ltd, ProQual Awarding Body, Prospect Awards CIC, Qualifi Ltd, Qualifications Scotland, SEG Awards, SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards, SFJ Awards, Signature, Skills and Education Group Awards, Skillsfirst Awards Ltd, South West Councils, SS Educational Services Ltd, Steadfast Training Ltd, Training Qualifications UK Ltd, Trinity College London, VetSkill, VTCT Skills aligned

1 topics covered

Exam tips & practice Qs

Start Revising Free View Plans

What is Learning Support?

Studying Learning Support provides you with the knowledge and practical skills to help children, young people, and adults overcome barriers to their education. It explores how individuals learn, the impact of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and the strategies used to create inclusive, supportive environments. You will examine legislation such as the SEND Code of Practice, learn to identify different types of learning difficulties, and develop skills in communication, empathy, and teamwork. This subject is ideal if you are interested in psychology, education, or health and social care, and it places a strong emphasis on real-world application through case studies and work placements.

Throughout the course, you will build essential transferable skills including observation, adaptability, and problem-solving. You will learn how to tailor support to individual needs, use assistive technology, and promote positive behaviour and emotional wellbeing. These skills are not only vital for further study but are highly valued by employers. The subject encourages you to reflect on your own practice and understand the importance of multi-agency working, where professionals from different sectors collaborate to provide holistic support. This reflective, caring approach prepares you for a range of people-centred professions.

Learning Support is a stepping stone to a variety of further education and career pathways. Many students progress to Level 3 qualifications in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Health and Social Care, or Childcare, while others move directly into employment as teaching assistants, learning mentors, or care workers. With experience and additional qualifications, you could become a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, or social worker. The subject builds a strong foundation for university courses in education, psychology, or social work, and it offers a direct route into roles that make a genuine, lasting difference in people's lives.

Why Study Learning Support?

Make a tangible difference: Learning Support empowers you to positively impact the lives of individuals who face barriers to learning, helping them achieve their full potential and gain confidence.

Excellent career prospects: There is a consistent and growing demand for skilled support staff in schools, colleges, and care settings across the UK, leading to stable, meaningful employment.

Develop highly transferable skills: You will gain expertise in communication, empathy, observation, and teamwork—skills that are essential in any people-focused profession and highly sought after by employers.

Clear progression pathways: Whether you aim to become a teaching assistant, SENCO, therapist, or social worker, this subject provides a solid foundation and direct routes to further qualifications and degree courses.

What You'll Learn

Understanding specific learning difficulties

Autism spectrum conditions and support strategies

Assistive technology and communication aids

Individual learning plan development

Behaviour support and de-escalation techniques

Multi-agency working and EHCP processes

Learning Support at a Glance

~30,000 learners

students/year

High-demand specialist sector

popularity

exam boards

Awarding Bodies & Qualifications

Explore Learning Support qualifications from 64 awarding bodies. Select one to view units and assessment criteria.

A2A Training Ltd

610/6761/1

1 topics covered

Learning Support Revision

What is Learning Support?

Why Study Learning Support?

What You'll Learn

Learning Support at a Glance

Awarding Bodies & Qualifications

A2A Training Ltd

ABE

ABMA Education Ltd

Agored Cymru

AIM Qualifications

Ascentis

ASDAN

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

ATHE Ltd

Awarding Body for the Built Environment

Best Practice Network

BIIAB

British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust

Cambridge OCR

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

City & Guilds Limited

City and Guilds of London Institute

Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education

Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

Defence Awarding Organisation

ETC Awards Limited

Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited

Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS) Ltd

Focus Awards Limited

Future (Awards and Qualifications) Ltd

Gateway Qualifications Limited

GQA Qualifications Limited

Highfield Qualifications

iCan Qualifications Limited

Industry Qualifications

Innovate Awarding

ITC First

King's Trust

Laser Learning Awards

NCFE

NOCN

Occupational Awards Limited

OCN London

Open Awards

Open College Network Northern Ireland

Open College Network West Midlands

Open College Network Yorkshire and Humber Region trading as Certa

Open University Awarding Body

PAA\VQSET

Pearson

Pearson EDI

Pearson Education Ltd

ProQual Awarding Body

Prospect Awards CIC

Qualifi Ltd

Qualifications Scotland

SEG Awards

SFEDI Enterprises Ltd. T/A SFEDI Awards

SFJ Awards

Signature

Skills and Education Group Awards

Skillsfirst Awards Ltd

South West Councils

SS Educational Services Ltd

Steadfast Training Ltd

Training Qualifications UK Ltd

Trinity College London

VetSkill

VTCT Skills

Explore Learning Support Qualifications

A2A Training Ltd

ABE

ABMA Education Ltd

Agored Cymru

AIM Qualifications

Ascentis

ASDAN

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

ATHE Ltd