Special Needs Assistant

Course Content

• Intellectual Disability Studies
• Empowering the Individual
• Community Inclusion
• Facilitating Learning
• Work Experience
• Challenging Behaviour
• First Aid Response
• Patient Manual Lifting and Handling
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (NVCIT)
• Teamworking
• Human Growth and Development

Career Prospects

• Primary Schools – Special Needs Assistant
• Pre-School – Special Needs Assistant
• Personal Assistant
• Second Level Schools – Special Needs Assistant
• Out of School Projects
• Back to School Projects

Certification

QQI Level 5 – Intellectual Disability Practice (5M1761)

Duration

One Year

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Leaving Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied or equivalent.
• Successful completion of interview.
• Written references.
• Applicants will be required to undertake Garda vetting. International students must also provide Police vetting from the country/countries where they have previously lived.

Work Experience

Work experience placement in a related vocational area is an integral part of this course. Students must obtain one day per week work experience for the academic year. The day will be specified by the College. There will also be a two week block placement at the end of the first term.

Costs

A student services contribution of €50 is payable on registration. The purpose of which is to cover services, materials, and supports including printing, photocopying, library, student cards etc. This is non refundable.

Progression

The full QQI Level 5 Certificate facilitates entry, on a competitive basis, to a range of third-level institutions nationwide and QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Social Care and QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Childcare. Further details are available from the relevant institutions, and/or on the QQI website www.qqi.ie

Specific progression links are available with SETU for this course. See: Progression Information here.