Special Needs Assistant

[Audio] This video is a brief recap on the role of a Special Needs Assistant..

[Audio] A special needs assistant works as part of the special education needs team within the education system. The team includes Learning Support Co-ordinator / A Special Educational Needs Coordinator (known as Senco), Learning Support Teachers and Resource Teachers, Special Needs Assistants, Mainstream Teachers and Visiting Teachers. Learning Support Co-ordinator is a teacher who is responsible for special educational needs in school. Learning Support Teachers and Resource Teachers focus on the provision of supplementary teaching to pupils who require additional help. They work with pupils in groups or one-to-one, either in and out of the classroom. Some schools have specific Resource rooms where resource teachers work with children. Special Needs Assistants: role is to help children with special needs to access all areas of the curriculum. Although it is a non-teaching role, SNAs provide support and guidance in the classroom and become a friendly face they can turn to. Personal care and social integration are all parts of special needs assistants role. Mainstream Teachers plan and deliver the primary curriculum reading, writing, numeracy, leaving cert e.t.c. Visiting Teachers attend the school based on different needs whether additional learning needs of members of travelling community or for sensory disabilities..

[Audio] National Council for Special Education allocates resources through the local Special Education Needs Officer ( SENO) Supports do not automatically transfer from primary school to secondary school. Pupils who have Psycho-Educational Report may not meet criteria for Resource/Learning Support in secondary school. Learning support hours, SNA allocation, Assistive technology allocation and general allocation of learning support hours for high incidence of Special Educational needs such as specific learning difficulty or borderline or mild general learning disability are assigned to school Application is also required for individual students who experience what is referred to as low incidence special educational needs that is physical, sensory, visual disability, autistic spectrum or assessed syndrome..

[Audio] Having all the information you need to carry out the role of the special needs assistant in a school requires information. The school will summarize and share with you Professional reports and Individual Education Plans. Recommendations made by relevant professionals must be made available to you to guide your work to meet child's needs You must attend all relevant meetings and it is your responsibility to seek clarification when you don't know or understand your duties..

[Audio] It is important to be prepared. Be clear which child or teacher you are allocated to. Get to now the timetable and room and school layout. Read and understand all the schools policies and the child's Individual Education plan. Meet the child and parents before the first class if possible. Ensure you have done some reading regarding the specific disability and relevant assistive technology. Reflectively prepare..

[Audio] While working remember relationships are key. Getting to know the child and other special educational needs team members will increase effective communication and understanding. Be open to learning and enhancing your own knowledge base and skills. Be a team player while advocating for the needs of the children in your care. Ensure dignity and respect for children while meeting their personal care needs Share your knowledge of working with child to update child's educational plans..

[Audio] One of the main responsibilities of an SNA is to help in the preparation and tidying of the classrooms where students with additional needs are being accommodated in to ensure it meets the child's needs Provide students with assistance as per need e.g. typing or writing as well as assisting in clothing, toileting, feeding, and general hygiene. Assisting during out-of-school activities and supervising in recreational activities and assembly periods are also included in their responsibilities..

[Audio] All school years come to and end. Teachers change e.t.c. remember where possible to create phased plans to help debrief and prepare children for changes..