The minimum age is to apply to our SNA course is 17 years. All learners must have a good standard of English.

Currently, the Department of Education and Science stipulates that all those gaining full-time employment in schools must have at least 3 passes at Junior Certificate or equivalent.

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

As per QQI requirements, if you wish to use previously achieved modules to complete your Major Award, then they must have been achieved within the last five years. You must provide the College with copies of these certificates in order to go forward for certification once you have completed your programme of training with us.

The topics covered as part of this combined SNA Course modules are:

SNA Level 5 Programme Syllabus – 5N1786

• History of Special Needs in Ireland
• The role of the Special Needs Assistant
• Medical Conditions
• Communication
• Confidentiality
• Working as part of a Multidisciplinary Team
• Professionalism & Accountability
• Legislation
• Health & Safety

Children with Additional Needs Programme Syllabus – 5N2396

• Child Development
• Physical Disabilities
• General Learning Difficulties
• Specific Learning Difficulties
• Hearing & Visual Impairments
• Understanding & Managing Difficult Behaviour
• Theories of Learning & Behaviour
• Communication & Language Development

SNA Level 6 Programme Syllabus – 6N1957

• The Role of the SNA
• Assessment Procedures
• Observation, Recording, Report Writing & Data Protection
• Disability Awareness
• The Primary & Secondary School Curriculum
• Equal Opportunities
• Legislation
• Literacy Skills
• Professionalism

All our tutors are highly qualified in their field and have a wealth of experience in the field of special needs education. Our tutors are extremely supportive to all learners who are new in their journey in the area of special needs assisting.

This combined Level 5 and 6 SNA course is continuous assessment.

This combined SNA course consists of three component certificates:

• QQI Level 5 Component Certificate in Special Needs Assisting (5N1786)
• QQI Level 5 Component Certificate in Children with Additional Needs (5N2396)
• QQI Level 6 Component Certificate in Special Needs Assisting (6N1957)

City College Dublin’s QQI Level 5 & Level 6 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting Course is a qualification that will allow you to work as a special needs assistant in different settings.

In the 2025 budget, significant developments were made for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in Ireland. The government allocated funding for 1,600 additional SNA positions, reflecting the growing demand for special education services. This increase is part of a broader investment in education, which also includes provisions for 768 additional special education teachers.

This is in line with the government’s commitment to expanding special education resources, enhancing inclusion, and improving the overall support structure for students with special needs. The additional funding also ensures better access to SNA services across schools, helping to meet the increasing care needs of students with disabilities.

These changes reinforce the government’s strategy to build an inclusive educational system and highlight the importance of SNAs in providing critical support to students with significant care needs.

With this added support for SNAs in Ireland, and the need for people in this area, it is a great time to start your journey to becoming an SNA.

Find out more about the 2025 budget and its impact on SNA’s.

You will be required to complete 40 hours of work experience to complete this SNA course. This will give you hands-on practical experience and enhance your overall learning experience.

Please note, you will be required to secure your own work placement.

Garda Vetting is a legal requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 for the vetting of persons carrying out work with children or vulnerable persons.

Students must complete the Garda Vetting process before commencing work placement for this SNA course.

Students who have spent more than 6 months living outside of Ireland will need to provide a copy of their Police Clearance Certification for all international addresses that they have lived at, before starting placement.

You will learn about child development and behaviour theories, giving you a strong foundation for understanding the various stages of development. Learners will explore different activities that promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in children with a variety of disabilities. You will also learn about the role and responsibilities of a special needs assistant.

The SNA course will explore the role of the Multi-Disciplinary Teams to ensure integration, inclusion, and equal opportunities. You will learn about the EPSEN Act, Irish Legislation and professionalism in the SNA sector. This combined SNA course also includes an overview of the primary and secondary school curriculum.

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.