Course Overview
This QQI level 5 Minor Award and QQI level 6 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting booking package allows you to qualify and work as a special needs assistant. By booking both courses together you can progress straight to the level 6 course upon completion of level 5 and avail of a discount, making your study more affordable.
These courses are ideal for those passionate about Special Needs Education, whether for career or personal growth.
Portobello Institute’s QQI level 5 and level 6 Minor Awards in Special Needs Assisting prepare 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 40 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 and QQI level 6 Minor Award in Special Needs Assisting making you highly employable as an SNA.
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
The QQI Level 6 Minor Award provides you with a greater depth of knowledge on the role of an SNA.
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 learn how to implement Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) and individual behaviour Plans (IBP’s) and introduce exercises that teach the child to look after themselves and their property which ultimately encourages independence, respect, self-esteem and responsibility.
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:
- Understanding Education, Health and Safety, Teach methodologies, Educational Philosophy and Practice.
- Literacy: Identifying the conditions for learning language and how to implement these according to learning programmes.
- Mathematics: Learning skills to support the teaching of mathematics and to devise strategies to assess mathematical ability.
- Observations: Methods and techniques for assessing, planning and evaluating.
Fran Trehy
Position: Special Needs Assisting lecturer
‘The heartfelt hero, using their talents to help students discover their own. Dedicating their time and energy each day to the students in their care, and doing it all while meeting the individual needs of many.’
About Fran Trehy
As I am a Special Needs Assistant for the past 16 years, I feel I can give the student a true insight into the classroom environment. I went back to education myself in later life and after completing my Arts and Humanity degree focusing on Family Studies, the urge to stay as an SNA was so strong, so when Portobello came up to teach the Level 5 and Level 6 Special Needs assisting courses, it was a dream come true In so many ways. I have had a very eventful life to date, travelling the world, working in very varied work environments for example Dublin Airport, Hospitals, and an array of other careers, one of which is being a mother to three teenager/young adults, I had a child with special needs myself who passed away very early in life so Special needs is very close to my heart. I have a passion for the career and the children in my care. I hope anyone that I am lucky enough to teach will benefit from that passion.
Since taking the position of Tutor with Portobello I have encountered so many people with the same ethos as myself not only with colleagues but with students alike, to be Special Needs Assistant takes a very special person, to change children’s lives for the better is so rewarding. I could not have chosen a better college to teach in and I am truly grateful to assist as many people as possible to progress in this challenging, rewarding career.
Fran’s Teaching Philosophy
I am a very relaxed Educator, I like to make students feel comfortable and to be in an environment where no question is a silly question, I like to exude passion for special needs children and for all children in education. I would love my students to leave the course with all the knowledge necessary to become the best they can be. I also want students to have the urge and longing to progress and further their education after completing the course and to make sure they have the confidence to pursue that. I believe that teachers should create a positive and safe atmosphere for all their students, and be the best teacher they can be by using different teaching strategies, being prepared for any situation, and always doing what’s best for the students.
Qualifications
- BA Hons, Arts and Humanity focusing on family studies
- Special Needs Assisting Level5 and Level 6
- Dyslexia, Dyspraxia awareness certificates
- PECS and ABA Certificates
10th November 2025
Commencing 10th November ’25 until 24th November ’25, this is a two week intensive course with interactive webinars, delivered online Monday – Friday 10am – 12.30pm.
This course has been specifically designed to be delivered online with live lectures.
Webinars are recorded and should you miss a session, you can catch up with the recorded session at a later date.
Course materials are structured to be accessed on a daily basis and are available to download from our eLearning platform as you progress through the course.
Work Placement
During this course, you will complete a 20-hour work placement in a special needs setting per course, meaning 40 hours of work placement in total, applying the skills and exercises learned during the program.
This hands-on experience will allow you to stimulate, develop, and guide children to their full potential in a setting aligned with your career goals.
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants upon successful completion of the online booking form and payment of course fees.
Course: €995
