Special Needs Assistants:
Special needs assistants (SNAs) are allocated to schools to work with children who have specific care needs. They provide non-teaching care support. SNAs support pupils who have care needs resulting from a disability, behavioural difficulties or a significant medical issue. This might include a significant impairment of physical or sensory function or where their behaviour makes them a danger to themselves or other pupils. A pupil’s needs could range from needing an assistant for a few hours each week (for example, to help feed or change or bring them to the toilet) to requiring a full-time assistant.
SNAs may work with more than one child and can also work on a part-time basis.
The Department provides more information about the Special Needs Assistants Scheme in Circular 0030/2014 (pdf).
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published an information booklet for parents, Children with Special Educational Needs (pdf).
If your child has special educational needs you should talk to the school principal about the type of education that would suit your child’s needs. You can also discuss with your local Special Educational Needs Organiser what learning supports or additional resources may be available.
Schools should apply to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) which administers and processes applications for special educational resources using its network of Special Educational Needs Organisers.
Application forms for special educational resources and a list of Special Educational Needs Organisers are available on the NCSE website.
Where to Apply:
National Council for Special Education
1-2 Mill Street
Trim
Meath
Ireland
.
