Special Needs Assisting (SNA) Job Opportunities
CMIT is pleased to announce a new eLearning course which leads to the QQI component certificate in Special Needs Assisting (6N1957). Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe announced funding for the recruitment of the additional roles as part of his Budget speech yesterday alongside an additional 1,216 special education teachers. Of the 1,216 new SNAs – 806 will go to special classes, 260 will be allocated to mainstream schools, and 150 will go to special schools. He said that as a result, Ireland will have the highest number of SNAs we have ever had in the education system. Fleshing out the details at a press conference in Government Buildings today, Minister for Special Education Josepha Madigan said that the 1,216 SNA positions will be put in place from September 2024. CMIT’s course meets the educational requirements to operate as an SNA in an Irish school or pre-school. The course is delivered over 12 weeks and is 100% online.
Benefits of completing the SNA Course with CMIT
- The course is QQI approved.
- CMIT’s eLearning system is available 24×7 to facilitate different individual learner needs and lifestyles. This model appeals to groups normally excluded from participating in further education, e.g. those with a busy lifestyle, those with disabilities, and those who live remotely from education centres.
- Learners have direct unlimited access to the tutor (securely and privately) via a private messaging system for the duration of their course.
- Comprehensive Tutor feedback is provided on all assessment and activity submissions. Learners can upload their work securely online. Work is reviewed by the programme tutor who provides formative feedback. This is a key learning tool. The use of developmental Tutor feedback facilitates ‘active learning’.
- CMIT uses custom-written course manuals, which comprehensively cover all indicative content. This content is 100% owned by CMIT. Learners are not required to purchase additional books.
- Tutor-led videos are available on all courses. Custom-developed in line with course materials. These videos appeal to visual and audio learners. Videos are short and subject-specific. They are easy to digest and learners can access and view at any stage of their studies.
Course Syllabus
- Be able to identify and comprehend categories and various types of Special Needs Assisting.
- Have detailed knowledge and understanding of the role of a Special Needs Assistant as part of a multi-disciplinary team in the provision of educational support and care for individuals with Special Educational Needs.
- Demonstrate a good knowledge of the relevant Special Needs Assisting legislation and current educational options available for individuals with Special Education Needs and the resources and sources of information available to keep up to date with changes in these areas.
- Have a good understanding of current Special Needs Assisting theories, curriculum models, interventions, assistance and supports available and their role in effective curriculum implementation in an educational environment.
- Be able to take responsibility for organising and managing appropriate Special Needs learning activities with regard to both supporting the individual’s unique educational needs and curriculum implementation in the learning environment.
- Identify and critically evaluate their own Special Needs Assisting skills in relation to the skills required to both provide support in curriculum intervention and provide an excellent standard of care for an individual based on their Special Educational Needs.
- Identify effective Special Needs Assisting educational, care and behaviour management interventions and incorporate them into an effective Individual Care Plan.
- Appreciate the importance of self-reflection in analysing the impact of their own personal values, attitudes, beliefs and assumptions in the provision of support and care for individuals with Special Educational Needs.
- Develop effective and efficient self-directed study skills.