Purpose and Allocation of Special Needs Assistants in Schools
The Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNA’s)
Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) are appointed by Boards of Management in accordance with the annual staffing allocation of the Department of Education and Skills, as informed by the advice of the NCSE and the relevant SENO.
SNA support is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills. The Special Needs Assistant Scheme has been a key factor in ensuring the successful inclusion of children with special educational needs into mainstream education, and also providing care support to pupils who are enrolled in special schools and special classes. A comprehensive description of the SNA scheme is outlined in DES CL 30/2014.
In December 2019, Government approved the national roll out of a new frontloading model for the allocation of Special Needs Assistant (SNAs) support to primary and post-primary schools for students in mainstream classes, with effect from the 2020/21 school year, as part of the phased roll out of the School Inclusion Model (SIM). Unfortunately, due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 public health crisis, it has not possible to implement the new allocation model yet. Accordingly, a decision has been taken to defer the implementation of the new allocation model until the 2022/23 school year. This will allow sufficient time for the necessary planning for the implementation of SIM and for the associated professional development to take place.
Allocation of SNA Support for 2021/22 School Year
Revised arrangements for the allocation of SNA support for 2021/22 have been put in place as an interim measure for a further period to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year (circular letter 0029/2021).
Circular 0029/2021 Special Needs Assistant Allocations for the 2021/22 School Year for Mainstream Classes in Primary and Post Primary Schools
In light of the disruption caused by the COVID-10 pandemic, the proposed Frontload Allocation Model for SNAs for students in mainstream classes which had been approved by the government in 2019 is deferred for a further year to the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.
The SNA allocation arrangements for mainstream classes for the 2021/22 school year are as follows:
Existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically roll over into the 2021/22 school year. This means that no school will receive an allocation less than that what they had on 30 April 2021.
Existing SNAs in mainstream posts can continue in post for the next school year in the normal way.
NCSE Guidance on the 2021/22 Exceptional Review Process for SNA allocation in mainstream classes:
A school may apply to the NCSE for an exceptional review where it can demonstrate that there are significant care needs which cannot be met within the current SNA allocation.
Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year. Particular consideration will be given to applications from schools with no current SNA allocation and developing schools. Determinations will be made before 30 June regarding these applications. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.
Schools wishing to apply for an exceptional review of their mainstream SNA allocation for the 2021/22 school year should use the NCSE School Support Portal (https:/ncse.ie/school-support). The NCSE will email a new activation link to schools who have not already activated their NCSE account by 14 May 2021.
Where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year arising from new or additional care needs which cannot be met from within the existing allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for a review.
Please note that SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement and will continue to be allocated in the normal way.
The NCSE publishes the SNA allocations on its website (www.ncse.ie) at the end of May. SNA allocations for special classes and special schools, along with special classes and special school teaching allocations are also be published on the NCSE website at the end of May.
Details outlined in circular letter 30/2020 are relevant in terms of:
· Medical and Professional Assessments
· The Role of the SNA
· Role of Schools to Manage SNA Support
Introduction of the Frontloaded SNA Allocation Model
Further advice will issue in the course of the 2021/22 school year on the introduction of the frontloaded model with effect from September 2022.
This will outline the overall approach, including the professional development and other supports to be made available for schools and teachers