Special Needs Assistant (Primary & Post-Primary)
This course in Special Needs Assisting and Intellectual Disability studies is designed to provide students with the knowledge, practical skills and qualifications required to pursue a career as a Special Needs Assistant or Personal Assistant to individuals of all ages in a variety of Educational contexts and Community care settings.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.
Extenuating circumstances may be considered
• Leaving Certificate Applied Award with a merit profile
• Full QQI Level 4 Award with a merit profile
• Mature Applicants - experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications
Additional Course requirements:
• 2 References
• Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme
• Police Clearance required where a person has lived in a Country other than Ireland for a period of longer than 6 consecutive months.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
• Employment in a variety of educational contexts and community care settings
Higher Education Progression*
Examples of potential courses include:
• BIFE:
Special Needs Assistant & Disability Studies (QQI Level 6)
• Carlow College:
Applied Social Studies-Professional Social Care level 7 (PC404)
• Trinity College Dublin:
Deaf Studies level 8 (TR016)
• TUD Technological University Dublin - (Grangegorman Campus):
Social Care level 8 (TU996)
Third level progression opportunities for SNA learners are continually being developed. Please visit www.cao.ie or careersportal.ie for the most up to date progression information.
*Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. Please consult the individual
college websites for more information on application. Information available also at www.cao.ie
Further information
Course commences in September 2024.
Enrolment Procedure
Step 1:
Applicants must apply online at www.bife.ie.
Step 2:
In some cases, applicants may be invited to attend for interview at the Institute. Applicants will be selected on suitability and a first come/first served basis. You should bring the following to the interview:
• A copy of Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
• A brief Curriculum Vitae
• A Portfolio of Work (where necessary)
• References (where necessary)
Step 3:
Successful applicants will be offered a place by post, subject to them achieving the basic entry requirements laid out in the prospectus/website and must secure their place by paying an acceptance fee of €50. All fees must be paid by Friday 30th August 2024. The €50 acceptance fee is non refundable. All other fees will be refunded if the applicant subsequently decides not to take their place before Friday 27th September 2024. Failure to pay the relevant fees may result in a lapse of your offer. All candidates who accept an offer agree to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute.
Step 4:
All learners must register at the Institute or on-line by the designated registration date.
International Applicants
The Institute welcomes applications from International Learners. Non EA applicants (applicants outside the European Area, i.e. outside EU & Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) must comply with Irish immigration requirements. Such applicants will have to secure a visa from the Immigration Section of the Department of Justice. As all courses are delivered in English, International students will be required to provide a certified qualification of proficiency in English where English is not the applicants first language.
Non-EU students will be required to pay the economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.
International applicants should apply directly to the Institute office for further information.
Mature students are welcome to apply. Formal academic qualifications not required.
Fees
Courses at Bray Institute of Further Education are funded largely by the European Social Fund. Tuition costs are covered for Irish or EU citizens undertaking PLC courses. There is no application fee, however all learners are required to pay the following:
• An Acceptance Fee of €50, to be paid when offered a place on a course.
• A Resource contribution fee of €150 for learner services*, paid annually.
There is also a cost of registration with professional bodies for a small number of courses such as Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI).
*Resource fees are used as a general fund to provide learner resources for PLC courses including library services
Maintenance Grant
Learners on full-time approved courses at the Institute are entitled to apply for Maintenance Grants. The Grant is means tested. Learners should apply to SUSI, the online grant application system, through www.studentfinance.ie.
Learners in receipt of the maintenance grant must pay all the usual costs of the course.
Back to Education Initiative & VTOS
The Department of Social Welfare and The Department of Education and Skills administer these two schemes. In 2024, these schemes will become fully integrated into the college. These schemes offer unemployed adults an opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements and in some cases to receive extra benefits. Payments from DEASP normally establish eligibility. Previous educational level can also contribute.
To check your eligibility log onto www.studentfinance.ie or talk to the VTOS Co-ordinator. Some extra benefits may apply.
Yes
You can only apply online on the BIFE website by clicking on the "Apply Now 2024/2025" button at the top of any page on the college website Or
Click on the Application Weblink above.
Applications usually begin in mid December of the proceeding year of application. Early applications are always advisable to avoid classes filling up and increase your chances of getting a position.
Programme of Study
• Special Needs Assisting
• Human Growth & Development
• Intellectual Disability Studies
• Understanding Special Needs
• Care Provision & Practice
• Safety & Health at Work
• Work Experience
• Communications
• Work Placement in an SNA setting 60 hours
First Aid
(BIFE) People Handling (BIFE) Child Protection (TUSLA
Components subject to change
5M2786 - Community Care
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Community Care (5M2786)
First Aid (BIFE)
People Handling (BIFE)
Child Protection (TUSLA)
Head of Department:
Sandra Kelly
Course Co-ordinator:
Anne O Malley
Bray Institute of Further Education,
Tel: 01 282 9668
Email: bifeenquiries@kwetb.ie
Web: www.bife.ie