Special Needs Assistant QQI Level 5

Course Overview
Are you interested in becoming a Special Needs Assistant? This QQI level 5 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting is suited to anyone who has an interest in Special Needs Education, whether to pursue it as a career or use the knowledge for personal or family reasons.

Course Details

Portobello Institute’s QQI level 5 Special Needs Assistant course gives you the opportunity to qualify and work as an SNA. It prepares you to work in schools, hospitals, and care homes. You’ll gain knowledge, empathy, and understanding crucial for supporting individuals with special needs.

This course includes 20 hours of work experience, providing practical skills to complement your studies, alongside one-on-one tutorial support. It’s accessible, affordable, and achievable.

Upon completing this course, you will hold a QQI level 5 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting. With this qualification you can progress to our QQI level 6 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting. We also have a booking package available.

What will I study?

During the QQI level 5 Minor Award, 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