Classroom Assistant/Special Needs Assistant – North Strand Campus

Qualification/Certification

Duration: 1 year

QQI Level 5 Award in Community Health Services 5M4468    
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC) (Formerly First Aid)
Certification in Patient Handling

Note

Mature students (over 21 years) may be entitled to VTOS funding

What will I study?

• Care Provision & Practice
• Care Skills
• Human Growth & Development
• Special Needs Assisting
• Intellectual Disability Studies
• Communications
• Work Experience
• Understanding Special Needs
• Infection Prevention & Control

Please note the components listed above may vary occasionally

How will I learn?

You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, mandatory work placement and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year. Course work will consist of a combination of onsite & online learning.

How will I be assessed?

A full Award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. You will be assessed throughout and at the end of the year (Continuous Assessment). On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a Pass, a Merit or a Distinction grade.

What we would like from you!

Applicants should have a love of children and gain pleasure in helping others.   If you have a vocation to assist pre school,primary or secondary students and enjoy school life, this course is very fulfilling.  You should be mature, hardworking and organised. You will be responsible for securing an appropriate off site work placement.

Career/Progression Opportunities

This is a one year specialist course training students to work as Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in Pre school,Primary and Secondary School Classrooms. Primary and Secondary Schools as well as specialist schools employ Special Needs Assistants to work in a variety of educational settings.
Students may also use this course to progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme. Some past students have gone on to Education, Social Science, Social Care & Psychology degrees.

Click this course code 5M4468 to see the list of Third Level courses this Award links with. You can also select “any award” in the same search box and this will return all courses open to students who have successfully completed a QQI Level 5 course.

See past student Kirsten Finnegan SNA in a video under INSPIRATIONAL PLC SUCCESS STORIES in News section page of this site!

Entry Requirements

A student seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. However, the student must demonstrate at interview the capacity to successfully participate on this programme. This includes both the academic and work experience elements of the programme. Should the student have previous qualifications, one of the following may be advantageous for admission to the programme:

• Leaving Certificate/LCA
• QQI Level 4 Award
• Students who may not have formal academic requirements but who have the ability to successfully participate on the course will be considered. (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)
• Interview

Note

For the purposes of Work Experience placements, students must be 18 years and over by the 31st October in year of entry
Applicants should note that some of the practical work on this course requires some physical effort. Consequently, students with any back problems or other injuries or conditions should discuss this matter with the course co-ordinator at enrolment.

Garda Vetting Required Yes

Enquiries: natasha.bezin@kmcfe.cdetb.ie