Special Needs Assisting & Intellectual Disability Studies
Our one-year QQI Level 5 course in Intellectual Disability Practice 5M1761 can help you gain the knowledge and skills required for this role.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time, September to May. 4 days a week between 9am and 1.15pm.
Entry Requirements
• Leaving Certificate, LCA or equivalent, or relevant industry experience
• Interview
• Mature applicants welcome
• Applicants may be accepted without meeting formal entry requirements
Careers / Further progression
Employment Opportunities
• Primary Schools as a Special Needs Assistant
• Secondary Schools as a Special Needs Assistant
• Further Education Colleges as a Personal Assistant
• Public and private health sectors for children and adults with additional needs
• Community care services
Education Progression
Below are some examples of progression options with this QQI level 5 award in Intellectual Disability Practice 5M1761:
• TU Dublin Blanch/Tallaght, Early Childhood Care &Education G, Level 7, TU790
For a more detailed list of progression options go to visit www.cao.ie
Further information
Start Date: 07/09/2026.
To Apply Online go to "Application Weblink" above.
Are you looking to work as a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) in primary or post-primary schools, or other care settings? Our one-year QQI Level 5 course in Intellectual Disability Practice 5M1761 can help you gain the knowledge and skills required for this role. Upon successful completion of our course, you will have the opportunity to progress to the QQI Level 6 course in Advanced Training in Special Needs Assisting and Inclusion in Sallynoggin College of Further Education.
Course Features:
• You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience as an SNA by working in a suitable service
• Educational field trips
• Opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ programme to Malaga
• Specialist Workshop and Guest Speakers
• Guest Speakers
• Accredited Training in Lámh Sign Language Programme
• Occupational First Aid
• People Moving and Handling Certificate
Accredited Training in:
• Lámh Sign Language Programme
• Occupational First Aid
• Túsla Child Protection Online Training
• People Moving and Handling
• Special Needs Assisting
• Understanding Special Needs
• Work Experience
• Intellectual Disability Studies
• Community Inclusion
• Empowering the Individual
• Facilitating Learning
• Communications
5M1761 - Intellectual Disability Practice
Coordinator: Claire Conlan
Email: claireconlan@scfe.ie
Application forms online at www.scfe.ie
Email: reception@scfe.ie
Tel: 01 285 2997