QQI Level 5

Special Needs Assistant – QQI Level 5

Course Overview

Are you interested in becoming a Special Needs Assistant? This QQI level 5 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting is suited to anyone who has an interest in Special Needs Education, whether to pursue it as a career or use the knowledge for personal or family reasons.

Level Short Course Qualification QQI Level 5

Intensive short course

Duration 1 week

Start date

1^st Year Fees €595.00

Portobello Institute’s QQI level 5 Special Needs Assistant course gives you the opportunity to qualify and work as an SNA. It prepares 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 20 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. With this qualification you can progress to our QQI level 6 Minor Award Special Needs Assisting. We also have a booking package available.

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

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 With almost two decades of hands-on experience…...

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

With almost two decades of hands-on experience as a Special Needs Assistant, Fran Trehy brings real-world insight, deep compassion, and a lifelong passion for inclusive education to her teaching.

Fran holds an MA in Inclusive Education and Special Educational Needs from Portobello Institute, alongside a degree in Arts and Humanities with a focus on Family Studies.

Her academic achievements complement a wealth of practical experience supporting children with a wide range of needs, including those who have experienced trauma. These experiences have given Fran a unique depth of understanding and empathy, which she carries into every aspect of her work.

Now a lecturer in Inclusive Education Practice at Portobello Institute, Fran is dedicated to equipping Special Needs Assistants and inclusive education specialists with not only the knowledge and skills they need, but also the confidence and compassion to make a lasting difference. Charity trips to India to promote Inclusive education through a series of lectures for practitioners had been a privilege for her to inspire other Educators.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that inclusive education is more than just strategies; it is about creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments where every child and every learner can thrive. Fran’s classrooms are spaces where curiosity is encouraged, every question matters, and students are inspired to grow both professionally and personally.

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
MA Inclusive Education and SEN

Option 1 – Start 19th January 2026

Commencing 19th January 2026 until 23rd January 2026, this is a one week intensive course with interactive webinars, delivered online Monday – Friday 10am – 12.30pm.

Option 2 – Start 13th April 2026

Commencing 13th April 2026 until 17th April 2026, this is a one 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, 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.

Industry Partners

There are no previous academic or experience requirements for this course.

1
Complete the online application form.
2
Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants upon successful completion of the online booking form and payment of course fees.