This one year course trains students to work as Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to work with children with special
educational needs in a variety of educational settings including primary and secondary school classrooms and
specialist schools.
Students completing this course will be able to work effectively under direction in a special needs assisting
setting. They will develop skills to assist children in a range of activities, ensuring equality of opportunity through
working in a safe and professional manner. They will learn about development and learning in children with special needs and about the role as an SNA. They will also develop the capacity to work and communicate effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard, support and promote children’s learning.
The course is suitable for both school leavers and experienced or mature students seeking a formal qualification.
The following modules will be offered in 2023 subject to availability and demand:
• Special Needs Assisting
• Understanding Special Needs
• Human Growth and Development
• Safety and Health at Work
• Care Provision and Practice
• Equality and Disability
• Intellectual Disability Studies
• Work Experience
• Communications
CERTIFICATION
• Level 5 Community Care 5M2786
Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie
| Course Location | Dunboyne, Meath |
| Course Category | Education |
| Course Type | Classroom Based |
| Course Qualification | Level 5 Certificate |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| Course Start Date | 1st September 2026 |
| Course End Date | 31st May 2027 |
| Course Duration | one year |
| Course Time | Full time |
| Entry Requirements | ENTRY REQUIREMENTS • Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied or; • Mature Students or; • Other equivalent qualifications All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications. Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie |
| Career Path | Graduates can progress directly to employment in a variety of educational contexts and community care settings. This course qualifies students to work as SNAs in primary and secondary school classrooms or special schools, supporting children in their learning environment. Alternatively, graduates may progress to further studies in specialist social care, psychology, social studies, early childhood care and education degree programmes in a range of Universities and Technological Universities. EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRESSION: TUD Blanchardstown: TU991 Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 8, 4 Years) and TU791 Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 7, 3 Years) TUD Blanchardstown: TU989 Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 8, 4 Years) and TU790 Early Childhood Care and Education (Level 7, 3 Years) DCU: DC001 Early Childhood Education (Level 8, 4 Years) DCU: DC209 Health and Society (Level 8, 3 Years) DCU: DC235 Education and Training (Level 8, 3-4 Years) Maynooth: MH101 Arts (Level 8, 3 Years) Maynooth: MH106 Psychology (Level 8, 3 Years) Maynooth: MH107 Social Science (Level 8, 3 Years) NCI: NC010 Psychology (Level 8, 3 Years) SETU Waterford: SE928 Applied Health Care (Level 7, 3 Years) SETU Waterford: SE919 Social Care Practice (Level 8, 4 Years) TUS Athlone: US782 Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 7, 3 Years) TUS Athlone: US926 Early Years Care and Education (Level 8, 4 Years) |
| Course Code | 5M2786 |
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