Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants

Certificate

Course Details

Course Code	SG_EINCL_S06
Level	6
Duration	1 year
Credits	30
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	St Angelas
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

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Course Overview

This Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is offered by the School of Education in collaboration with the School of Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies. The Programme has been developed and designed in conjunction with the Department of Education (DoE) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Students who are working in SNA positions in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes are fully-funded by the DoE. Applications will be accepted from those not working as SNAs and these applicants are self-funded. Separate entry requirements apply for those working as SNAs and those not working as SNAs. First preference will be given to those working in SNA positions.

This 60-hour, 30-ECT part-time special purpose award will equip SNAs working in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes with the necessary skills, attitudes and knowledge to effectively support the care needs of students with Additional Educational Needs (AENs).

The Programme is delivered part-time online over one academic year and consists of six modules of 5 ECTs each.

The Modules are:
1. Inclusive Education of Students with Additional Educational Needs
2. Language and Communication
3. Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs
4. Social and Emotional Development
5. Supporting Students with Autism
6. Enhancing Personal and Professional Competencies as a SNA.

Each module consists of ten hours of indicative content delivered over four weeks in the form of online asynchronous lectures and synchronous webinars. Three in-person practical training seminars, two in Semester one and one in Semester two will be delivered in person in five regional locations to support the geographical spread of students. Practical Training Seminar 2 will be a mandatory component of the programme and aligned with Module 3: Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs.

The guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has been taken into consideration in regard to the design of the programme to ensure equitable and fair access to content, and to maximise the engagement of students and expression of learning. The Community of Practice (CoP) Model (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and the core philosophy of the reflective and reflexive practitioner are also embedded in the programme design. The CoP model highlights social and experiential aspects of learning where students will be provided with opportunities to interact, discuss challenges, share insights and learn from other participant experiences. The CoP model offers SNAs a variety of opportunities – through seminars, webinars, and reflective spaces, to engage, collaborate, reflect and build practical knowledge and skills. This blended model accommodates diverse learning preferences and supports both individual and collective professional growth.

Recommended Study Hours per week

2-3 hours of lectures per week
7 hours self-directed Independent Learning
3 in-person practical training sessions of 4 hours duration each. Two in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2

Examination and Assessment

All modules are continuously assessed. The students will be assessed in a variety of ways, through online testlets, assignments, e-tivities, infographics, mind-maps, and journaling. To align with UDL principles, students will be provided with a choice of assessment responses. For example, written answer, audio response, PowerPoint with a voiceover, poster presentation, mind map, photo elicitation with headings. Rubrics and exemplars will be provided for each assessment response, aligned to the learning outcomes, in order to support learners to monitor their own learning and to progress.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

The programme includes three in-person practical training sessions to be held at five regional locations (e.g. Midlands, South-West, South-East, North-West and East of the country). These seminars will be provided outside school hours on Saturdays, 9.30 am to 1.30 pm. The locations have been chosen considering the geographical spread of the students and to minimise travel for students. The practical training sessions are staggered to ensure students have more than one opportunity to attend. Practical Training Seminar 2 will be a mandatory component of the programme and aligned with Module 3: Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Application Process and Entry Requirements:
Applications will be accepted from those working in SNA positions and those not working as SNAs. First preference will be given to those working in SNA positions. Separate entry requirements apply for those working as SNAs and those not working as SNAs.

The application process for the Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants, at ATU St Angelas, Sligo, involves the following steps:

Complete the Microsoft Forms Application Form. Answer ALL mandatory questions. Please state N/A if not applicable. For the most efficient completion of the MS Form, please use Google Chrome and a Laptop or Computer. The MS Application Form must be completed in one sitting.
Download the Principals Declaration Form
The Principal’s Declaration Form must be completed and signed by the School Principal. Applications will be deemed incomplete if the Principal’s Declaration Form is not completed and not uploaded with the Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application process are completed.
Apply for entry to the Programme by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button on the website programme page.
Upload the following documents as instructed: Evidence of completion of the Microsoft Form Application and Completed and signed Principals Declaration Form

Entry Requirements for applicants working as SNAs:
Applications for the programme will be open to SNAs who, at the time of application, are working in a school recognised by the Department of Education (i.e. a school that has been issued a roll number).

Entry requirements for those in SNA positions are as follows:

Currently employed in a part-time, full-time capacity in a primary, post-primary, special school or special class
and
Be able to provide a school roll number
and
Upload an Application Form detailing educational achievements, professional experience, alongside a copy of the School Principal’s Declaration

Entry requirements for applicants not working as SNAs:
Applications are open to those who are not working as a SNA in a school but have an interest in the area and meet the entry requirements outlined below. These students will be self-funded. Self-funded students will not displace students funded by the Department of Education. If additional places remain unfilled by those working as SNAs, offers will be made to eligible applicants not working as SNAs, until all places are filled.

Entry requirements for those not in SNA positions are as follows:

A pass in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent examinations) with five grade D’s which must include Mathematics and English or Irish.
OR
Applicants must hold a National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 or equivalent.
OR
Candidates who do not meet the above entry requirement may be admitted to the programme on the grounds of mature years (Over 23 by 1st January in the proposed year of entry) following review.

Fees

Further information on fees

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

The programme is suitable for graduates working as SNAs or who are interested in working as SNAs in primary, post-primary, special schools or special classes.