• Child Development
• Child Protection
• Behaviour Management
• Health and Safety
• Art and Craft
• The role of the Special Needs Assistant
• Disability Studies
• Communications
• Equal Opportunities

This course is designed for those people who are working, or planning to work, with children with special needs as a special needs assistant, in a paid or voluntary capacity, or in a crèche, playschool or day centre for children or adults with special needs

• Meet the training needs of those working or volunteering as Special Needs Assistant.
• Develop skills, knowledge and understanding of the role of the Special Needs Assistant
• Promote good practice among those working with special needs children in the primary or secondary classroom situation, crèche, playschool or day care centre for children or adults with special needs

Minimum age is 17 Years

All learners must be fluent English speakers.

Currently the Department of Education and Science stipulates that all those gaining full-time employment in schools must have a full Junior Certificate or equivalent qualification including English, Irish and Mathematics.

Applicants should also indicate how they plan to obtain their work experience during the course if they are not already working in the area.

Learners must be capable of undertaking assessment work to Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate standard.

International learners undertaking this course should have confidence in their English language, reading, writing and comprehension skills and have at least as 5 IELTS score or equivalent.

Certificate in Special Needs Assistant Training (The College of Progressive Education)

Component Certificate in Special Needs Assisting FETAC Level 5

Component Certificate in Understanding Special Needs FETAC Level 5

Optional Component Certificates:

Component Certificate in Work Experience FETAC Level 5

Component Certificate in Communications FETAC Level 5

Learners must complete a minimum of 30 hours working in a special needs setting with children under the age of 18.  These hours may, but do not have to be in a school setting.  Work experience may be undertaken in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Learners who choose to do 50 hours or more work experience, can apply  to do our Work Experience FETAC Level 5 bridging course at the same time (for a small extra fee). This allows learners to simultaneously obtain their Component Certificate  in Work Experience FETAC Level 5.

Continuous assessment method based on the following: portfolio, project, assignments and diary of work experience.

18 Evenings plus 2 Saturdays (see timetable for details)

• Special Needs Assistant FETAC Level 6
• Youth studies
• Advanced Certificate in the Montessori Method of Education
• Component Certificate in Therapeutic Play FETAC Level 6
• Component Certificate in Child Psychology (4-18 years) FETAC Level 6
• Other childcare FETAC Level 5 Modules
• Component Certificate in Developing Literacy Skills FETAC Level 4

Special Needs Assistant in a primary or secondary school, crèche or day care centre.