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Want to be a special needs assistant.

  • 09-07-2009 1:12pm
    #1
    SpencerJames
    Closed Accounts Posts: 371 ✭✭


    Hi, my name is Mary,


    Im 52 years old. I have no teaching experience. I have raised 3 children who are now in their 20's.

    I am interested in helping with special needs. I have a few questions that I hope you can help me with

    What qualifications do I need and where could I get these?
    How do I go about becoming a special needs assistant?

    I live in Galway and would appreciate any help

    Thank you Mary


Comments

  • #2
    implausible
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,937 ✭✭✭implausible


    I know there are lots of other options but here's my tuppence-worth:

    We run a FETAC Level 5 course in Childcare in our school and I know that graduates of our course have got employment as SNAs. Most of the SNAs in our school have some type of Childcare qualification. Contact your local VEC for details of schools who give these courses, the fees are minimal and you could do your work experience in a school, which would be a leg-up to employment.

    Mind you, I know that there are some actual Special Needs courses being run throughout the country (full and part-time), you get your qualification from Portobello College. However, there are fees for these courses and the modules are usually the same as the ones you'd cover as part of a Childcare qualification:

    http://www.portobelloinstitute.ie

    As a cautionary note, don't be expecting to walk into a job. SNAs are being seriously cut back, like everything else and we, like every school, are losing some.

    Good luck!


  • #3
    Irene28
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6 ✭Irene28


    Im hoping to apply for the PGCE in Primary Teaching in the UK for next year and in the mean time Im doing an SNA course by Distance Learning with the College of Progressive Education (Frobel). Great course and it is well respected have a wee look on the educationposts.ie site for info loads on there to. From what Ive read on what others have said about Portobello it didnt get a good review at all. just what I read tho so thats why Im doing mine with Progressive. Hope that helps. Best a luck with it.


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