Every Horizon specialist holds a relevant qualification and has direct, substantial experience in specialist educational settings. We do not recruit generalists and add SEND awareness training.
These are not aspirational standards. They are minimum requirements. No practitioner is placed with a family until all of these are met and verified.
All practitioners hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate, obtained before any placement begins. We verify the certificate directly. No exceptions.
Every practitioner enters via one of two routes: QTS with specialist SEND school experience, or HLTA Level 4 SEND pathway with substantial specialist setting experience.
References are sought from specialist schools, SEMH units, or resourced provisions — not mainstream schools or personal contacts. We verify employment history.
All practitioners demonstrate current safeguarding knowledge assessed through a structured interview. We review Keeping Children Safe in Education compliance annually.
Every candidate completes a structured interview covering SEND-specific scenarios, communication approaches, co-regulation, and professional boundaries. Generic teaching competence is not sufficient.
Parent feedback is reviewed after every block. Practitioners receive quality checks, and continued placement depends on sustained standards — not just initial qualification.
Horizon uses a two-route qualification model with a qualification floor that most tutoring agencies do not apply.
Qualified teachers with Qualified Teacher Status who have spent a significant portion of their career working in specialist provision.
Senior teaching assistants and specialist mentors with formal Level 4 qualification and substantial hands-on experience in specialist provision.
No practitioner is admitted to the Horizon network without completing all five stages. The process is sequential — each stage must be passed before the next begins.
Certificates and professional registrations are verified directly with the issuing body. Self-reported qualifications are not accepted.
Enhanced DBS clearance is obtained or verified before the process continues. An existing DBS certificate must be on the Update Service or renewed.
Two references are required from SEND settings — specialist schools, resourced provisions, SEMH units, or equivalent. References are contacted directly and asked specific, structured questions about SEND competence.
A scored interview covering: SEND-specific scenarios, co-regulation approaches, safeguarding responsibilities, professional boundaries, and how the candidate has worked with children with complex presentations. Scored against descriptors — not subjective impression.
Parent feedback is gathered after every session block. Practitioners with sustained concerns are reviewed. Continuation on the network depends on quality, not just initial clearance.
Safeguarding is built into every stage of the Horizon process — from practitioner recruitment through to how sessions are structured and documented.
If at any point you have a concern about your child's welfare in relation to their Horizon support, there is a clear escalation route. You will always have a named contact.
These profiles illustrate the experience and backgrounds typical of Horizon practitioners.
Standard Tier · South East
Qualified teacher with 8 years in a maintained special school for autistic children. Experienced in structured literacy approaches, AAC, and working with children with complex communication profiles.
Enhanced Tier · West Midlands
Senior teaching assistant with Level 4 SEND qualification and 6 years in a SEMH unit. Specialist in co-regulation, building trust with demand-avoidant children, and Trauma-Informed practice.
Standard & Enhanced · London
Qualified teacher with 10 years across mainstream and specialist provision, including a resourced base for children with ADHD and speech, language and communication needs.
We are always looking for qualified, experienced SEND practitioners to join the network. If you meet our entry criteria and are looking for flexible specialist placements, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply to join the networkBook a free consultation and we'll identify which type of practitioner, and which tier of support, fits your child's needs.