Special Needs Assistant

Course Price
Per academic year.
€595.00

Entry to this course is by direct application to the college.

Are you interested in becoming a Special Needs Assistant? This course is suited to anyone who has an interest in Special Needs Education, whether to pursue it as a career or use the knowledge for personal or family reasons. Portobello Institute’s QQI Level 5 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting is a qualification that will allow you to work as a special needs assistant in schools, hospitals and care homes. During this 3-month course you will acquire not only knowledge but empathy and understanding crucial to your future role as support to persons needing assistance in their learning. You will attend class online one evening a week allowing you to fit learning around your busy working and family life. You will also be required to complete 20 hours of work experience enabling you to get practical experience to compliment your studies. These factors, together with the one to one tutorial support, offer you a course that is accessible, affordable and achievable.

Upon completing this course, you will hold a QQI Level 5 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting enabling you to work as an SNA. This course is an essential introduction to the role of an SNA and theories in special needs education that will prepare you for QQI Level 6 Minor award in special needs assisting should you wish to further your studies.

The learning outcomes for this programme are as follows;

Explore the role and responsibilities of the Special Needs Assistant

Examine the qualities and skills of an effective Special Needs Assistant

Examine relevant legislation in relation to disability

Explore the rights of children with disabilities in relation to personal autonomy, participation and decision making

Relate effectively and appropriately to children who present with additional needs

Use care routines in feeding, toileting and general hygiene
Maintain appropriate relationships with children parents, primary carers, teachers and other members of the multidisciplinary team

Work effectively with children who present with disabilities under the direction of the classroom teacher

Assist children with disabilities in a range of activities, ensuring equality of opportunity through working in a safe and professional manner

Reflect on personal practice working with children, their parents or guardians and colleagues ensuring that children’s individuality is promoted and that their needs are met

For those that wish to progress to their Level 6 award in Special Needs we have scheduled a continuation course to start approximately two weeks after the Level 5 course ends. Where possible we have left the course on the same day.

During this course, you will learn about development and learning in children with special needs and about the role of an SNA. You will learn about child development and behaviour theories and how a range of activities can promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual development in children with learning, physical and behavioural disabilities. You will develop the capacity to work and communicate effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard, support and promote children’s learning, development and well-being.

During this programme you will cover the following topics:

The Role of the Special Needs Assistant

Equal Opportunities Child Development (Overview)

Theories of Learning and Behaviour

Physical and Intellectual Disabilities

Communications and Language Disabilities

Work Experience

Work Placement
During this course you will spend 20 hours on a work placement in a special needs assisting setting. During the placement you will have the opportunity to put into practice the exercises and skills you will have learned during the programme. You will have the opportunity by using these skills to stimulate, develop and guide the children under your direction to develop to their full potential. We aim to ensure you that have the opportunity to gain experience in a setting that is aligned with your career ambitions.

The practical work experience element of this programme may be completed once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.

A variety of assessment methods are used to support students with different learning styles. These vary from written reports to practical case studies to examinations. We encourage you to reflect on your knowledge gain with a number of assignments designed to explore your learning journey. All of these assessment methods are seeking to support you to combine theory with scenario-based learning and how to practically implement these methods into your everyday practice.

Tel: +(353) 1 892 0000
Email: info@portobelloinstitute.ie