Special Needs Assistant Requirements

Dec 2008 How do I aim a Special Needs Assistant? Special Needs Assistants. line of products Description Special Needs Assistants are recruited specifically to assist schools in providing the necessary nonteaching services to pupils with assessed educational of necessity. Their duties are assigned by the Principal manageing on behalf of the Board of Management. Their work is supervised all by the Principal or an other(a) teacher as obstinate by the Principal. Those duties involve tasks of a non-teaching nature such as . homework and tidying up of stratumrooms. 2. Assisting school children to board and alight from school buses. Where necessary touch off as escort during school hours on school buses whitethorn be inevitable. 3. Special assistance as necessary for children with particular difficulties e. g. helping superfluous needs pupils with typing or writing or computers or other use of equipment. 4. Assistance with clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene and be mi ndful of wellness and safety needs of the pupil. 5.Assisting on out-of-school visits, walks, examinations and similar activities. 6. Assisting the teachers in the charge of pupils during assembly, recreation and dispersal from the classroom for one reason or another. 7. go with individuals or small groups who may piss to be withdrawn temporarily from the classroom for one reason or another. 8. General assistance to the class teachers, under the direction of the Principal, with duties of a non-teaching nature. (Special Needs Assistants may not act as either substitute or temporary teachers.In no hazard may they be left in sole charge of a class or group of children). 9. Participation with school development planning, where appropriate, and co-operation with any(prenominal) such changes with policies and practices arising from the school development process. 10. Engagement with parents of special needs pupils in both formal and informal structures as required and directed by scho ol management. 11. Other duties appropriate to the grade as may be determined by the needs of the pupils and the school from time to time.Special Needs Assistants may be re-assigned to other work appropriate to the grade when special needs pupils are absent or when particular urgent work demands arise. Qualifications required The minimum level of qualification required is a Junior corroboration with passes in English, Maths and Irish. In reality many SNA applicants will urinate further qualifications such as the FETAC level 5 SNA certificate (single overcome or full award) or the FETAC Level 5 qualification in Childcare.Some may also have third level qualifications in related to fields such as Montessori, Early Childhood fosterage or Psychology. Experience Relevant work experience with children is very important. This can include time spent as a volunteer in a homework club, summer camp leader, sports coach, as well as being active in your childrens school, for example in the parents association. More information on working as a SNA is available in the Education personnel section of the Dept of Education & Science website www. education. e or from AEGIS. Local Courses. FETAC level 5 Special Needs Assisstant single subject certificate courses have been offered as a part-time course in Abbeyleix Further Education Centre and Portarlington Adult Education Centre. Check www. laoisvec. ie Portlaoise College offers a full FETAC level 5, Special Needs Assistants course as well as a Childcare programme at the same level. www. portlaoisecollege. ie info taken from Dept of Education & Science Website www. education. ie and INTO website www. into. ie