Role of the Special Needs Assistant Teacher: Lisa McKee

 What is the role of a Special Needs Assistant.  To highlight the different tasks of a Special Needs Assistant.  To discuss employment options for a S.N.A.

 In pairs discuss your understanding of the role of a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) in primary school setting?

 The day to day job description of individual special needs assistant will be laid down by the principal at (in consultation with the class teacher and resource teacher) of the particular school in which he/she is working.  The job description of a Special Needs Assistant is based on the needs of the a child.

 Preparation and tidying up of classroom (s) in which the pupil (s) with special needs is/are being taught  Assisting children to board and alight from school buses. Where necessary, travel as escort on school buses may be required  Special assistance as necessary for pupils with particular difficulties e.g. helping physically disabled pupils with typing or writing

 Accompanying individuals or small groups who may have to be withdrawn temporarily from the classroom e.g. to attend the resource teacher  General assistance to the class teachers, under the direction of the Principal, with duties of a non- teaching nature  Special Needs Assistants may not act either as substitute or temporary teachers. In no circumstances may they be left in sole charge of a class  Where a Special Needs Assistant has been appointed to assist a school in catering for a specific pupil, duties should be modified to support the particular needs of the pupil concerned

 Assistance with clothing, feeding, toileting and general hygiene  Assisting on out-of-school visits, walks and similar activities  Assisting the teachers in the supervision of pupils with special needs during assembly (coming in to school), recreational (e.g. lunch time yard duty) and dispersal periods (home time or in secondary schools between classes)

 Schools vary in how they interpret these duties  Some schools do not involve the special needs assistant in any academic work what so ever and the SNA is solely involved in caring physically for the child  In other schools SNA’s are very much involved in the academic work of the classroom, helping children with work that has been assigned by the teacher

 A special needs assistant may be employed ◦ either on a full or part-time basis in a school if there is a pupil enrolling in the school with a significant care need arising from a disability or ◦ where their behaviour is such that they are a danger to themselves or to other pupils

 An allocation will only be made if it is judged (by referring psychologist) that such a need exists

 Send a C.V. And Cover Letter directly to the Principal of a given Primary/ Special Needs School.  Register with education posts to get text/ alerts  Register with