Special Needs Assistant – Special and Mainstream Education

Certification
QQI Level 5
Reference
5M2786
Places
25
Fees
€50.00

This one year course trains students to work as Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in the care of the child or adult with a mental or physical disability, and as SNA's in Primary and Secondary School Classrooms. Liberties College has offered courses in the training of SNAs since 1991. This is a joint training programme offered by the Central Remedial Clinic Clontarf and Liberties College.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF STUDY

  • Special Needs Assisting
  • Understanding Special Needs
  • Work Experience
  • Communications
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Care Provision and Practice
  • Safety and Health at Work
  • Human Growth and Development

(Modules offered may be subject to change).

FEATURES OF THE COURSE

  • Classes four days per week in Liberties College
  • One day placement each week in classrooms in Special Schools or Mainstream Education (plus block weeks during the course year)
  • Training in typical SNA duties:
    • Assisting children with everyday practical tasks – e.g. clothing, feeding, toileting and hygiene
    • Educational assistance e.g. helping the child with writing or typing
  • LÁMH Module – Students are trained in the use of LÁMH, a manual sign system used by children with intellectual disability & Communication needs.
  •  Lundy, NDA – Disability Awareness Training, TULSA – Child Protection Training, HSA online training course, Manual Handling & First Aid
  • Garda vetting for work experience.

“This course has helped me decide what career path I want to take. I have learned a lot from children with disabilities and gained a lot of experience in my work place. I will share my knowledge and experience when I go back to my own country Mauritius.”

Nathalie

PROGRESSION

  • 6M2218 Level 6 Social & Vocational Integration – Liberties College
  • TU791 L7 Applied Social Studies in Social Care – TU Blanchardstown
  • PC404 L7 Applied Social Studies – Professional Social Care St. Patricks College, Carlow
  • TU794 L7 Early Childhood Care & Education – TU Blanchardstown
  • MH107 Social Science – Maynooth University

EMPLOYMENT

  • Special Needs Assistant in Special Schools, Mainstream, Primary & Secondary schools
  • Day Care centres and Clinics
  • Personal Assistants

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

General College Entry Requirements