Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This course is designed to prepare and equip candidates with the skills and knowledge to work as Special Needs Assistants/Personal Assistants in various education settings and day care centres. The course is designed for those with a genuine interest in working with children, young people and persons with additional needs.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Special Needs Assisting (5N1786)
Care Provision & Practice (5N2705)
Human Growth and Development (5N1279)
Work Experience (5N1356)
Communications (5N0690)
Social Studies (5N1370)
Safety and Health (5N1794)
Nutrition (5N2006)
Special Entry Requirements:
Garda Clearance is required.
Relevant work experience is desirable.
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M2786 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
- This qualification will enable learners to apply for the position of Special Needs Assistant in a range of educational settings -Primary, Secondary & Further Education Settings.
- There will also be employment opportunities in Day Care Centres for persons with Intellectual Disabilities and other needs.
- Budget 2022 has provided funding for 1165 new SNAs.