Childcare / Healthcare Career Information:
If you enjoy working with children, a career as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) could be perfect for you! An SNA helps teachers in schools, by providing classroom support to pupils with a wide range of severe learning, physical or behavioural difficulties. Working under the guidance of the principal and/or the class teacher, SNAs may work in mainstream national and secondary schools, or in a special school, helping pupils to achieve their learning goals. If you get a position as an assistant, you may just be working a few hours a week or you may be full-time.
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SNA Training Courses in Ireland:
To be a successful SNA, you should enjoy working with children and be able to handle classroom situations with fairness and patience. You should be able to communicate effectively with students and teachers and have good writing skills. You do not have to be a qualified teacher or have a SNA qualification but it is worth considering.
Three Colleges of Education, in conjunction with the Education Centre network, have formulated and delivered officially recognised training courses for existing SNAs:
- St. Angela’s College in Sligo
- Mary Immaculate College in Limerick
- Church of Ireland College, Rathmines
FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) also offer Special Needs Assistant courses including:
- FETAC Special Needs Assistant - Level 6
- FETAC Special Needs Assisting Certificate Level 5