Working with special needs
Working with children and adults with special needs can be very challenging but hugely rewarding. There are many different roles and jobs that involve working with people with special needs and if you want to pursue a different career there is always the possibility of volunteering, which involves working for free. 
Special educational needs teaching
Special educational needs teachers are employed to work specifically with children or adults with special educational needs. Special educational needs may involve a range of different health conditions, developmental conditions, learning difficulties and behavioural disorders. The work of an SEN teacher is usually varied and interesting. You may work with a number of different children who have different needs; for example, you may work with a child with dyslexia, a child with a physical disability and a child with behavioural problems all in the same day. Typical roles and jobs carried out by SEN teachers include preparing lessons, meeting with other teachers, health professionals and social workers to discuss a child’s progress, teaching an individual child or a small group of children, doing administration, talking to parents or guardians and assessing children to see what kind of help they need. In order to become an SEN teacher you must have either a QTS or PGCE. You may also require specific training to work with certain students; for example, if you want to work with blind children, you will need to pursue further training.
Social work
Social work covers a range of different roles and responsibilities. Social workers work with other professionals, including health professionals and education staff to ensure that children and adults in their care are able to live a safe, healthy and fulfilling life. In order to become a social worker you must have either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in social care. The course you do should be approved by the General Social Care Council.
Nursing and caring for people with special needs
Nursing and caring for people with special needs can be very rewarding but it is often emotionally and physically challenging. Nursing involves long hours and the work is sometimes very demanding. Nursing is not as glamorous as it seems on television and many of the jobs nurses have to do are not very pleasant. Nursing is a very satisfying job; you will make a huge difference to the people in your care and hopefully you will be able to see them develop and thrive.
Carers carry out a vital role in our society and they provide care for people without being paid; caring can be very rewarding but it is often very tiring and can be draining, particularly if the person you are caring for is very ill and needs constant attention.
Volunteering
Volunteering is offering your services and time free of charge. Volunteers are really important and many charities and care homes are always looking for volunteers to help out as and when they can. There are many things you can do to help as a volunteer, from helping somebody with their shopping to taking a child swimming or offering to drive a minibus and take people out for the day.