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Special Needs Assisting (Killarney)

The aim of this programme is to enable the learner work independently and under supervision in providing support in a variety of childcare\educational settings.

Minor Award New for 2023

  • Reference
    390582
  • Location
    Killarney
  • Type
    Part-time
  • Duration
    12 Weeks
  • Focus
    Employment
  • Certification
    QQI Level 5
  • Fees
    €200
  • 18/9/23
    18/09/2023
Apply now

Course Overview

This course will enable the learner to work as a Special Needs Assistant in a variety of educational settings

This course will run on Monday and Wednesday from 6.30-8.30 for 12 weeks.

All classes with take place in our Killarney Campus.

Please note  all Learners must have competent written and spoken English (CEFR B1 or Higher).

What will I study ?

  • Explore in the role and responsibilities of the Special Needs Assistant
  • Examine the qualities and skills of an effective Special Needs Assistant
  • Examine relevant legislation in relation to disability
  • Explore the rights of children with disabilities in relation to personal autonomy, participation and decision making
  • Relate effectively and appropriately to children who present with additional needs
  • Use care routines in feeding, toileting and general hygiene
  • Maintain appropriate relationships with children parents, primary carers, teachers and other members of the multidisciplinary team
  • Work effectively with children who present with disabilities under the direction of the classroom teacher
  • Assist children with disabilities in a range of activities, ensuring equality of opportunity through working in a safe and professional manner
  • Reflect on personal practice working with children, their parents or guardians and colleagues ensuring that children's individuality is promoted and that their needs are met.

Why should I do this course ?

  • Direct route to employment. Over 1100 new SNA Posts announced for 2023

What is the certification ?

  • Special Needs Assisting (5N1786)

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants must have reached the current statutory school leaving age (16+).
  • QQI Level 4 Major Award or its equivalent is essential (Leaving Cert, LCVP, LCA).
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential, including verbal and written command of the English language. 
  • Express an interest in learning and practicing new skills.

What is the cost ?

Fees apply to all part-time programmes.

A fee waiver is in place for applicants in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment.  You can check your fee waiver eligibility with Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP), INTREO or your Local Employment Service (LES) office.

Still have questions ?

Contact our Kerry College Admissions Offices – Tralee on 066 714 9696, Killarney on 064 662 2593 or [email protected]

Part-time Courses - FAQs

FET is short for Further Education & Training. Kerry College is an integrated college of FET. This means we do both progression-focused further education programmes and a range of employment-focused skills training programmes.

We enroll twice each year - January and September.

Part-time programmes run on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, Friday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and increasingly online.

This depends on the course you choose. 

Some courses have long waiting lists, others - not so much. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so the best advice we can offer is to apply in plenty of time.

We enroll over 1000 applicants to our part-time courses each year - so it's always busy.

As places are offered based on the date of application, our team could be working their way down through the list.

That said, always check.

You can call Caroline on our Part-time courses team at Monavalley on 066-7149600 or Stephen on our Part-time courses team in Listowel on 067-21023.

Although all of our part-time courses are fee-paying, we do have a DEASP Fee Waiver in place for those in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. 

This is subject to a waiting list and demand for course places.

Most part-time courses run at Kerry College are Minor awards.

A Minor award is commonly referred to as a module - but also as a component certificate or a certificate of unit credit.

These single 'modules' may be completed and certificated individually. All minor awards are linked to a major award that allows learners to collect and build their minor awards and work towards gaining a major award.

Applications for all part-time programmes should be made online - via the Kerry College website or www.fetchcourses.ie

FETCH COURSES is the national application system for all FET course applications. 

All new applicants must set up a free account on www.fetchcourses.ie. You must use this to apply for all further education and training progarmmes anywhere in Ireland. 

For existing Fetch Courses account holders, login and apply as before. 

You can reset your password using your email or mobile phone. When you do, make sure you keep it for future reference.

Bear in mind, FETCH uses your PPS number to identify you - so although you might be able to set up a second account - it won't work properly.

If you're still stuck, contact our Admissions team on 066-714 96 96

No, aside from the DEASP Fee Waiver, all part-time courses are fee-paying.

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