JCL Skills Solutions
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July 21, 2025
Across the UK, schools are facing an unprecedented Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) staffing crisis. Demand for SEND support has more than doubled in the past decade, with around 576,000 pupils, nearly one in five, now requiring some level of specialist support. Yet the system is struggling to keep up. According to recent findings, high-needs funding already exceeds £10 billion annually, and local councils are now facing a deficit of over £3.3 billion. Without significant intervention, this shortfall could balloon to £8 billion by 2027–28.
At the same time, schools are grappling with major recruitment delays and escalating supply staff costs. Many schools are left without trained SEN support staff for weeks or even months, often resorting to costly short-term cover that lacks continuity and expertise. With stretched budgets and increased accountability for inclusive education, school leaders are seeking sustainable, affordable solutions that can deliver skilled support staff without further straining finances.
This is where JCL Skills Solutions comes in. As an established training provider, JCL offers (DfE) Skills Bootcamps funded by The Department for Education (DfE) specifically designed for Teaching Assistants and Early years Educators. Our tailored Skills bootcamp pathways include progression onto Level 3 Teaching Assistant and the advanced Level 5 SEN Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeships. These programmes directly address the sector’s most urgent needs: a shortfall of confident, classroom-ready TAs, particularly those equipped to support children with complex needs such as autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, and those with EHCPs.
One of the biggest advantages of our Skills Bootcamps is that they are cost-neutral to schools and Nurseries and thanks to the Apprenticeship Levy, schools, multi-academy trusts and nurseries can access high-quality training without drawing from their core staffing budgets to aid progression into a sustained role. In addition to the funding that supports the initial training, employers do not need to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under the age of 25, further reducing financial impact. This is particularly helpful for schools trying to balance tight budgets while meeting statutory obligations for SEND provision.
Our training goes beyond theory. JCL programs are built around real-world classroom challenges and delivered in partnership with education settings. This means learners gain immediate, hands-on experience, while schools benefit from support that is both skilled and consistent. Unlike supply staff, who often rotate and lack long-term connection with pupils, our trainees stay, grow, and contribute as part of the school team. This leads to better pupil outcomes, improved staff morale, and a more resilient workforce.
In fact, schools currently working with JCL Skills Solutions are already seeing measurable benefits. Some have reported significant reductions in supply costs and improved progress for pupils with SEND. Others highlight how these programmes have strengthened their pipeline of support staff and helped meet recruitment goals even in areas facing acute TA shortages.
Now more than ever, schools need practical, forward-thinking strategies to manage growing SEND responsibilities. JCL’s Skills Bootcamps offer an affordable, scalable solution that supports both short-term needs and long-term development. By investing in specialist training today, schools can build a more inclusive, better-supported learning environment for every child tomorrow.
If your school is looking for trained, motivated Teaching Assistants, without the budget headache – JCL Skills Solutions is ready to help. Let’s partner to create the next generation of specialist SEN support staff, together.
Contact : www.jclskillssolutions.co.uk, getintouch@jclss.co.uk or call 0330 0245 809
INNOVATE | EDUCATE | EMPOWER
