Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This course prepares learners for a rewarding career supporting children and adults with additional needs in educational and community settings. Students gain the knowledge, practical skills and work experience required to work as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) or in disability support services. Through classroom learning and work placement, learners develop the skills to support individuals with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities while promoting, inclusion and wellbeing. If you are interested in making a difference in people’s lives, this course provides an excellent pathway into the disability support sector.
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Community Health Services (5M4468). QQI Component Maths (5N1833) – available as an option in the evening for learners requiring Maths for progression.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Intellectual Disability Studies - 5N1652
Understanding Special Needs - 5N1709
Assistive Technology - 6N2211
Early Childhood Education and Play - 5N1773
Care Provision and Practice - 5N2705
Special Needs Assisting - 5N1786
Communications - 5N0690
Work Experience - 5N1356
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 results in 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 direct progression route, click below:
QQI Code
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
There is a strong demand for Special Needs Assistants in primary, secondary and special needs schools in addition to residential, day care and after school settings. As a result this qualification is a valuable pathway into the education and disability support sectors.