The shifting role of the special needs assistant in Irish classrooms: a time for change?

Abstract

The education of pupils with special educational needs in Ireland has generally been influenced by national and international inclusion policy and legislation so that the majority of these children now take their place alongside peers in mainstream classrooms. In Ireland, a support network comprising the teacher and additional classroom assistance now characterises much inclusive school provision. Such support is often provided via learning support teachers, resource teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs), the latter group being the focus of this article. Whilst the professional credentials of this post have evolved in other jurisdictions, the position of the SNA in Ireland has remained largely unchanged, with a job specification that continues to emphasise its caring, non-teaching nature. This article will consider the juxtaposition of the statutory functions of SNAs with their reported role(s) in Irish classrooms. Using quantitative and qualitative data, it will explore the professional profile of the SNA, identify current perceptions on the nature of this post and consider its collaborative potential within an inclusive education system.

Keywords:

• special needs assistant
• special education
• classroom assistance
• role
• duties
• inclusion

Notes

1. Including for example, The Report of the Special Education Review Committee (1993); The Comprehensive Initiatives for Assessment and Delivery of Special Needs Education (1998); The Education Act (1998); The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act (2004); The Disability Discrimination Act (2005).

2. SEN Circular 0006/2011.

3. Including: SP ED 07/02; SP.ED 24/03; SNA 15/05; SP ED 0009/2009; 0021/2011; 0071/2011

4. Including for example, The Report of the Special Education Review Committee (1993); The Comprehensive Initiatives for Assessment and Delivery of Special Needs Education (1998); The Education Act (1998); EPSEN Act (2004) and The Disability Discrimination Act (2005).