ACCS/info Bulletin 27/19
Mon, May 27th, 2019
The Secretary,
Board of Management and
School Principal in
each Community and Comprehensive School.
Members of the Executive of ACCS.
ACCS/Info Bulletin 27/19
Re: Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) - Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2019/20 School Year
The DES has now issued circular letter 0030/2019 regarding the Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) - Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2019/20 school year. This circular letter supersedes circular letter 0034/2018.
SNA Allocation of Posts
The allocation of SNA posts is reviewed annually and the SNA allocation is usually published on the NCSE website at the end of May.
Increased Allocation
Where a school receives an additional allocation of SNA hours or posts (e.g. an additional allocation of SNA hours/posts or where an SNA has left the employment), the additional allocation of hours/posts must be offered to any existing part-time SNA(s) in the school, in order of seniority, before the school can advertise the hours/posts.
The only exception to this rule is if there is a determination in writing from the NCSE/SENO stating that the allocation must be divided among a specific number of SNAs or must be implemented in a particular way.
Where additional hours arise because of an SNA availing of a career break, these additional hours may be offered to existing part-time SNAs, in order of seniority. This is, however, at the sole discretion of the school. Any SNA receiving such hours should be given a separate contract for the additional hours.
Reduced Allocation
The employment of SNAs may be reduced from full-time to part-time or terminated by way of redundancy where the approved allocation to the school is reduced and it is necessary to compulsorily cease the employment of an SNA.
Reduction of a full-time to a part-time post
Where an SNA post within the school is being reduced from a full-time to a part-time post, the SNA may be entitled to a redundancy payment for the loss of hours if he/she has more than one year’s continuous service (see CL 58/2006 at 4.2).
Redundancy of an SNA
A redundancy situation arises when an SNA post ceases to exist and the SNA is not replaced.
Selection for redundancy is on a ‘last in first out basis’ (LIFO) as set out in CL 59/2006.
Where an SNA is being made redundant, the school should:
1. Issue formal notice of redundancy to the SNA, complete Panel Form 1 (PF1 Form) and give it to the SNA who is being made redundant.
Panel Form 1 (PF1 Form) can be found in Appendix 2 of CL 0030/2019.
The SNA uses PF1 Form when applying for SNA vacancies that s/he may see advertised in other schools.
2. Complete Form RP50 and Form SNA Red 1.
Give the SNA a certified copy of RP50.
Send certified copies of Form RP50 and Form SNA Red 1 to the Redundancy section of the DES.
Forms RP50 and Form SNA Red 1 are attached to this Info Bulletin and are also available on the DES website at www.education.ie.
3. Retain a copy of all three forms on file in the school.
Once an SNA with a minimum of one year’s service (other than service in a substitute capacity) is notified that s/he is to be made redundant, s/he shall be a member of the Supplementary Assignment Panel for SNAs.
Appointment Process for SNA (other than substitute or cover vacancies)
All appointments (other than substitute or cover vacancies) are subject to the conditions outlined in CL 0030/2019 - Recruitment of Special Needs Assistants – Supplementary Assignment Arrangements for the 2019/20 school year.
All standard SNA vacancies and cover vacancies (i.e. Maternity Leave, Career Break, job-sharing replacement, Sick Leave, unpaid leave replacements etc.) of 24 weeks or more must be advertised on one of the following websites.
The advertisement for the SNA position should include any specific competencies/requirements to meet the special education needs of the students.
The Selection Committee is comprised of:
a. Chairperson of the Board of Management
b. Principal and
c. One other person nominated by the patron/trustee
There must be at least one male and one female on the Selection Committee.
When filling an SNA vacancy, schools must consider applicants with certified copies of PF1 Form in the first instance. Schools are obliged to give precedence to these applicants and may only interview SNAs with certified copies of Panel Form 1 (PF1) in the first instance.
An interview is required for the appointment of an SNA, even if there is only one applicant.
The school is obliged to offer the position to one of the applicants with PF1 Form if he/she meets the specific competencies/requirements as outlined in the advertisement.
If the school does not, following interview, find an applicant who meets the specific competencies required or if it does not receive applications from SNAs with a PF1 Form, it can then consider other non-panel applicants and arrange to interview these applicants. These interviews must be held on a separate day.
The successful candidate must confirm acceptance of the offer of employment within 6 calendar days from the date of the letter of offer.
Garda Vetting of Special Needs Assistants
In line with the terms of CL 31/2016, a completed Vetting Disclosure must be obtained from the National Vetting Bureau prior to the commencement of employment of an SNA with the school.
ACCS acts as the conduit for schools for the purpose of vetting of Special Needs Assistants.
A Vetting Disclosure is required from the NVB in respect of all types of appointments of any duration (full-time, part-time, substitute positions and work experience).
A Statutory Declaration and Form of Undertaking must be completed and provided to the school prior to making an SNA appointment of any duration.
PVD Form (Process Verification Document)
At the end of the process of filling an SNA vacancy (including the filling of additional hours i.e. where an existing part-time SNA receives additional hours), the school must complete a Process Verification Document (PVD Form) and return it to the DES. There is no requirement to complete PVD Form in respect of substitute or cover vacancies.
Application Form for a Special Needs Assistant (exemplar)
An Exemplar Application Form for an SNA position is attached to this Info Bulletin.
Is mise,
le mór mheas,
_________________
John Irwin,
General Secretary ACCS.