Special Needs Assistant
Certification
This one year course provides certification at FETAC level 5 in Special Needs Assisting.
Progression
Graduates from this course may apply for admission to an advanced certificate at level 6. Students may also apply after one year through the FETAC links scheme for entry to diploma/degree courses in Institutes of Technology and Universities.
Special needs assistants work in crèches and pre-school settings including playgroups, Montessori schools, Early Start programmes. They also work in care situations for pre- school children and children in hospital. Special needs assistant also work in primary and secondary school, in special classes in mainstream schools and in special schools.
Course Content
- Special Needs Assisting
- Early Childhood Education
- Child Development
- Human Growth and Development
- Computers
- Health and Safety at Work
- Social Studies
Special needs assisting is about working with children to help to reach their full potential.
Early Childhood Education is about the importance of play in children's learning and looks at a range of activities that help with different aspects of a child's development.
Child Development is about the general stages of children's physical, emotional and language development.
Human Growth and Development is about personal development, how personalities differ, adolescence and coping with the changes that occur throughout life.
Safety and Health at Work addresses issues relating to best practice regarding a safe and healthy working environment.
Entry Requirements
All applicants will be interviewed, there is no academic entry requirement.
It is desirable that applicants be over 21 years of age.
