Are you wondering if you can become an SNA after the Leaving Cert?
The answer is, yes you absolutely can.
Completing a Special Needs Assisting course after your Leaving Cert is a great way to gain the knowledge and experience you need to start working as an SNA.
It also gives you the foundations to progress to higher education afterwards in the areas of early childhood studies and special needs education.
Portobello Institute offers part-time, intensive and online with webinars options to ensure you study at a pace that suits you.
No CAO applications are needed at Portobello Institute - you simply apply online and we will be in touch about getting started.
We offer level 5 and level 6 awards in SNA, many of our students like to avail of our booking package so you can progress straight to level 6 upon successful completion of level 5.
Part-time, Intensive or Online With Webinars Delivery Methods
Delivered part-time one evening a week in Portobello Institute, you can work full-time and study the Special Needs Assisting level 5 and level 6 courses.
These qualifications gives you the opportunity to qualify and work as a special needs assistant.
By booking both courses together you can progress straight to the level 6 course upon completion of the level 5 and avail of a discount, making your study more affordable.
We also provide an intensive short course version of the same qualification and booking package - the difference is that you study full days for two weeks and complete your assignments and work experience in the following months, getting your classes done and dusted in the beginning.
Another method we offer is online with webinars which is the same as part-time, one evening a week, but your weekly class is delivered online through a video lecture.
At Portobello Institute, we offer our students flexibility to learn in a way that suits their needs and lives.
What Will You Study?
During the level 5 course, you will learn about development and learning in children with special needs and about the role of an SNA.
You will learn about child development and behaviour theories and how a range of activities can promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual development in children with learning, physical and behavioural disabilities.
You will develop the capacity to work and communicate effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard, support and promote children’s learning, development and well-being.
During this programme you will cover the following topics:
- The Role of the Special Needs Assistant
- Equal Opportunities Child Development (Overview)
- Theories of Learning and Behaviour
- Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
- Communications and Language Disabilities
- Work Experience
The level 6 course provides you with a greater depth of knowledge on the role of an SNA and will make your job applications more appealing to employers.
You will learn about development and learning in children with special needs and about the role of an SNA.
You will learn about child development and behaviour theories and how a range of activities can promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual development in children with learning, physical and behavioural disabilities.
You will learn how to implement Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) and individual behaviour Plans (IBP’s) and introduce exercises that teach the child to look after themselves and their property which ultimately encourages independence, respect, self-esteem and responsibility.
You will develop the capacity to work and communicate effectively with parents, families, colleagues and other professionals to safeguard, support and promote children’s learning, development and well-being.
During this programme you will cover the following topics:
- Understanding Education, Health and Safety, Teach methodologies, Educational Philosophy and Practice.
- Literacy: Identifying the conditions for learning language and how to implement these according to learning programmes.
- Mathematics: Learning skills to support the teaching of mathematics and to devise strategies to assess mathematical ability.
- Observations: Methods and techniques for assessing, planning and evaluating.
Transitioning from Secondary School to Further Education
If you are worried about the leap from your Leaving Cert in secondary school to further education at Portobello Institute, we would like to reassure you that we will support you every step of the way.
In Portobello Institute, we are totally student-centric. What does that mean?
It means everything we do is done with you, our student at the center of our decision.
Our entry requirements are realistic, our timetable scheduling is condensed to reduce your costs on accommodation, save money on commuting and allow you to work while you study.
You know your tutor and your tutor knows you – they know your name, what you can achieve and what supports you need to achieve your personal best.
We nurture the one in everyone and we fit your model of learning. We adapt to support you to achieve your personal best, whatever that may be.
Whether you prefer full-time, part-time or blended delivery methods, attending class on site, watching online or watching it back later, paying in full or adopting our easy payment plan - you choose your journey at Portobello.
How To Apply
If you are interested in studying SNA Level 5 or SNA Level 6 at Portobello Institute please contact our course advisor George Boylan at george.boylan@portobelloinstitute.com, call him directly on 01 892 0041 or book a consultation with him.
