Course Summary
Course Category: Employment Courses
The Special Needs Assistant – Level 5 & Level 6 Booking Package at Portobello Institute combines both QQI Minor Awards into one structured pathway for those who want to begin or progress a career in special needs assisting.
Delivered through online interactive lectures, the package allows students to complete the QQI Level 5 and QQI Level 6 Special Needs Assisting programmes through an intensive two-week learning route.
Level 5 introduces the role of the special needs assistant, child development, learning and behaviour, communication, disability, and inclusive support, while level 6 develops a deeper understanding of behaviour theories, legislation, IEPs, IBPs, literacy, numeracy, observation, and professional communication.
Across both awards, students complete 40 hours of work placement in a special needs setting, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice and build confidence in supporting children and young people with additional needs.
- Delivery mode: Online learning with live interactive lectures
- Duration: 2-week intensive short course, with assignments and work placement completed after live classes
- Awarding body: QQI
- Qualification outcome: QQI Level 5 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting and QQI Level 6 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting
- Key progression note: Graduates may progress to further study in inclusive education, including the BA (Hons) Inclusive Education Practice at Portobello Institute.
Further Information
Book a call with Career Pathway Consultant Jennifer Matteazzi to discuss study options
Fees, payment plan, and funding information is available.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Level 5 Minor Award:
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
Level 6 Minor Award:
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.
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
Progression to CAO Courses
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
