Special Needs Assistant Panel 2024-2025

SPECIAL NEEDS ASSISTANT

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) provides the necessary non-teaching services to pupils with assessed educational needs. They act in a care and support role that is non-teaching in nature. Their duties are assigned by the Principal acting on behalf of the Board of Management/ETB. Their work is supervised either by the Principal or another teacher as determined by the Principal. The SNA’s primary function is to ensure the care and support needs of the students are met on a daily basis.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

Remuneration:

The remuneration offered is the SNA scale as determined by the Department of Education & Skills. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Person Specification:

Essential:

Each candidate must have:

• the minimum standard of education for appointment to the post of SNA which is FETAC Level 3 major qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications or a minimum of three Grade Ds in the Junior Certificate or equivalent.
• excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• the ability to build good relationships with pupils and colleagues.
• excellent organisational and planning skills.
• a passion for working with children and the ability to manage groups of pupils.
• the ability to manage difficult behaviour effectively.
• flexibility and creativity.
• the ability to work as part of a team.
• good record-keeping and report-writing skills.
• ability to show discretion in sensitive situations.

Desirable:

• Capacity to discharge the duties of the post through the medium of Irish.

Working Relationships:

• Principal and school management team.
• Members of the teaching staff.
• Other members of the support staff.
• ETB Administrative Head Office.
• Students.
• Parents.
• External Support Agencies

Key Tasks:

The duties involve tasks of a non-teaching nature such as:

• Preparation and tidying up of classrooms.
• Assisting children to board and alight from school buses. Where necessary, travel as escort on school buses may be required.
• Special assistance as necessary for children with particular difficulties e.g. helping special needs pupils with typing or writing or computers or other use of equipment.
• Assistance with clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene and being mindful of health and safety needs of the pupil.
• Assisting an out-of-school visits, walks, examinations and similar activities.
• Assisting the teachers in the supervision of pupils during assembly, recreational and dispersal periods.
• Accompanying individuals or small groups who may have to be withdrawn temporarily from the class for one reason or another
• 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 either as substitute or temporary teachers. In no circumstances may they be left in sole charge of a class).
• Other duties as may be determined by the needs of the pupils and the school from time to time.

SNA Competency Framework

SNAs require specific knowledge and a high level of competence in the areas of:

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Teamwork, Cooperation and Flexibility
• Planning and Organising
• Commitment to Learning/Professional Development