Special Needs Awareness & Assisting - Inclusive Education & Training
Have a passion for caring and enjoy working with children and adults alike? Want a career that allows you to work from a preschool setting all the way to third level and beyond? Then Special Needs is an area that could appeal to you!
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
38 weeks.
Entry Requirements
Minimum:
- Applicants must be 16+ years of age on entry to the course.
- You must hold a recent and relevant QQI Level 5 Major Award (or equivalent) in a related course.
- Applicants with relevant work experience will also be considered.
- Mature applicant route available for applicants aged 23+.
- Competent written and spoken English (CEFR B2 or Higher).
- Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
Additional
- Applicants must express an interest in learning and practicing new skills.
- Good interpersonal skills are essential.
- Basic computer skills desirable.
- Experience working or volunteering in a childcare, care or learning environment is an advantage but not essential.
- Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme and participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Garda vetting process.
Careers / Further progression
What are the employment opportunities?
Employment is available in a variety of settings from preschools to third level institutions. Year on year more SNA positions have been allocated in the area of education in the budget just this year alone an additional 1,165 additional positions were announced. Many students get opportunities to work immediately on a part time basis covering July provision hours and subbing. Likewise, if you prefer a career meeting the needs of people in the community there are a lot of options to become a personal assistant to a people with a disability.
What are the progression opportunities?
A lot of our students go on to work as Special Needs Assistants in schools and other settings while others use it as a steppingstone into other areas of interest in related fields such as Teaching and Social Care.
If you complete a QQI major award with Kerry College, you may use your results to progress to third level (University, Technological University or Institute of Technology). You should check individual university websites for specific entry criteria for courses.
There is a separate section on the CAO application for applying using your QQI results from Kerry College in the same way you use your Leaving Certificate results. You may also apply under the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS). A limited number of places are available each year.
Further information
Start Date: 09/09/2024.
Learners on full-time programmes at Kerry College have a number of funding options.
1. DEASP (Department of Employment and Social Protection). Contact your local INTREO office.
2. SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Apply at: www.susi.ie
If eligible, learners may only receive one of these payments while participating on a Kerry College full-time programme.
Learner Allowance
Also known as a Training Allowance.
To avail of a Learner Allowance, an applicant must be in receipt of a qualifying DEASP payment at course start. Allowances/payments are based on attendance and are paid by Kerry College directly to learners for the duration of the course. You may also receive accommodation or travel allowance if you meet the criteria.
Back to Education Allowance
To avail of a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) the applicant must apply directly to the DEASP. BTEA is paid by DEASP directly to learners for the academic year. There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance.
SUSI Grant
SUSI is a maintenance grant available only for courses that are SUSI approved. Payments are made directly to the learner in the form of grants to cover the academic year.
There is no option to receive any other payment or receive an accommodation or travel allowance. A full-list of eligible course along with details on how to apply is available on SUSI.ie.
No Payment
A learner who is not eligible for Learner Payment, BTEA or SUSI may still apply and participate on any Kerry College course.
Courses for employment offer travel or accommodation support payments, if criteria are met.
Funding towards Travel, Accommodation and Meals
At present, learners on courses for progression do not qualify for travel/accommodation/meal payments. These payments relate only to learners on courses for employment. Learners may receive Travel or Accommodation Allowance - but not both. Your payment will be calculated and processed at course registration.
Travel Allowance
A travel allowance is a contribution towards the learner’s cost of travel based on the distance from the learner’s primary place of residence to the campus location.
To qualify, learners must live more than 3 miles/5km away from the campus location they are attending. Travel Allowances are not payable to participants on Night Training courses.
Accommodation Allowance
An accommodation allowance may be paid to learners who need to relocate in order to attend a course for employment.
To qualify, learners must live more than 20 miles/32km away from the campus location they are attending. For up to date information on this, please see: kerrycollege.ie/learner-information
National Childcare Scheme
The NCS (National Childcare Scheme) provides childcare supports for those on full-time education and training programmes. Full details can be found on the www.ncs.gov.ie webpage.
You may apply via your MyGovID account or contact Kerry County Childcare Committee at 066 718 1582 to discuss which childcare supports are available to you.
Applications for all full-time programmes should be made online via the Kerry College. Your application will be processed using our FETCHCOURSES system. If you haven't signed up for a FETCH account, you'll need to do this first. It's free and a one-time setup.
Courses For Employment
Become work-ready with our range of employment-focused education and training programmes.
Why should I apply?
Kick start your career with a recognised trusted academic qualification combined with hands on experience in the field of education. A course in Special Needs Awareness & Assisting gives you the opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of Special Needs as well as the educational underpinnings required to be an asset in any setting. Work experience is an integral part of the course that lets you apply the skills you learn in Kerry College in the classroom. Workshops and professional speakers help add to your knowledge throughout the year. Want a career that encourages you to advance professionally whilst working on the job and gives you the opportunity to have a career caring for others in both the private and public sector then Special Needs Awareness & Assisting at Kerry College could be for you.
What will I study?
Special Needs Assisting (6N1957)
Work Experience (6N1946)
Communications (6N1950)
Disability Awareness (6N1975)
Inclusive Education Practice
(6N2226)
Differentiated Learning & Instruction (6N2225)
Mental Health Awareness (6N2209)
Assistive Technology (6N2211)
6M2263 - Inclusive Education & Training
Contact the Kerry College Admissions Office on 066 714 9696 or info@kerrycollege.ie