Inclusive Support & Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants - Sligo St. Angela's

Start Date September 2026

Total Fees EU: €1,200

The programme is fully funded by the Department of Education for applicants working full-time or part-time in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes (a school that has been issued a roll number).

How to Apply

Application Closing Date
This course will open for applications on March 23rd, 2026. Applications close on 1 September 2026.

If you are working as an SNA:

Download the Principal’s Declaration Form and ask your School Principal to complete and sign it.

Upload the completed form to your online ATU application. This can be done during your application or it can be uploaded to your application at a later date.

For the question ‘Who is paying for the course?’ please select ‘Employer’ In your application.

If You Are NOT Working as an SNA:

Upload your qualification documents as per entry requirements above (e.g. Leaving Cert results or Level 5 cert). Upload your documents to the document portal in your online application. Please note mature applicants (aged 23 or older by January 1st of the year you apply) do not need to upload any documents.

For the question ‘who is paying for the course ?’ please select ‘Self-Funded’.

Please note applications will be deemed incomplete if the required documentation is not completed and not uploaded with the Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all parts of the application process are completed.

What Happens Next?
All applicants will be informed of the result of their application approximately four weeks after submission.

This Certificate in Inclusive Support and Care in Education for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is offered by the Education Department in collaboration with the Nursing, Health Sciences and Disability Studies Department.

The Programme has been developed and designed in conjunction with the Department of Education (DoE) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). Students who are working in SNA positions (full-time, part-time or substitute employment) in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes are fully-funded by the DoE. Applications will be accepted from those not working as SNAs and these applicants are self-funded. Separate entry requirements apply for those working as SNAs and those not working as SNAs. First preference will be given to those working in SNA positions.

This 60-hour, 30-ECT part-time special purpose award will equip SNAs working in primary, post-primary, special schools and special classes with the necessary skills, attitudes and knowledge to effectively support the care needs of students with Additional Educational Needs (AENs).

The Programme is delivered part-time online over one academic year and consists of six modules of 5 ECTs each.

Who Should Apply?
The programme is suitable for graduates working as SNAs or who are interested in working as SNAs in primary, post-primary, special schools or special classes.

The Modules are:
1. Inclusive Education of Students with Additional Educational Needs
2. Language and Communication
3. Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs
4. Social and Emotional Development
5. Supporting Students with Autism
6. Enhancing Personal and Professional Competencies as a SNA.

Each module consists of ten hours of indicative content delivered over four weeks in the form of online asynchronous lectures and synchronous webinars. Three in-person practical training seminars, two in Semester one and one in Semester two will be delivered in person in five regional locations to support the geographical spread of students. Practical Training Seminar 2 will be a mandatory component of the programme and aligned with Module 3: Supporting Students with Primary Care Needs, including Medical and Complex Needs.

The guiding principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has been taken into consideration in regard to the design of the programme to ensure equitable and fair access to content, and to maximise the engagement of students and expression of learning. The Community of Practice (CoP) Model (Lave and Wenger, 1991) and the core philosophy of the reflective and reflexive practitioner are also embedded in the programme design. The CoP model highlights social and experiential aspects of learning where students will be provided with opportunities to interact, discuss challenges, share insights and learn from other participant experiences. The CoP model offers SNAs a variety of opportunities – through seminars, webinars, and reflective spaces, to engage, collaborate, reflect and build practical knowledge and skills. This blended model accommodates diverse learning preferences and supports both individual and collective professional growth.

Examination and Assessment
All modules are continuously assessed. The students will be assessed in a variety of ways, through online testlets, assignments, e-tivities, infographics, mind-maps, and journaling. To align with UDL principles, students will be provided with a choice of assessment responses. For example, written answer, audio response, PowerPoint with a voiceover, poster presentation, mind map, photo elicitation with headings. Rubrics and exemplars will be provided for each assessment response, aligned to the learning outcomes, in order to support learners to monitor their own learning and to progress.

SNA Programme Administrator
E: sna.stangelas@atu.ie

Programme Co-ordinator
Ailbhe O’ Halloran
E: ailbhe.ohalloran@atu.ie