Information to support the role of the Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
What is a Special Needs Assistant?
Special needs assistants (SNAs) are additional school supports to assist children with special educational needs who also have significant care needs.
SNAs help students to attend school and promote an inclusive class where lessons run smoothly for everyone. The SNA will work to help the student develop their independent living skills.
Details of the SNA Scheme can be found in Circular 0030/2014.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Information Hub
The Department of Education and Youth have created an Information Hub for SNAs to provide up‑to‑date information for SNAs and school staff, including news, training, pay and leave details, guidance on the SNA role, and contact information for the Department of Education.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
The NCSE is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2026/27 National Training Programme for Special Needs Assistants.
Click the button below for more details.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
How are SNAs allocated to schools?
SNAs are given to schools based on the level of care needs that students have. The NCSE looks at the whole school to see what support is needed, and the Department of Education gives each school a set number of SNAs for the year. The school then decides how to use its SNAs so that the students with the highest care needs get the most help.
No school will lose SNAs in 2026, and schools are expected to review and adjust how they use their SNAs during the year.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
SNA Review
An SNA Review is a formal process of reviewing SNA allocations in schools.
There are two types of SNA Reviews:
– The school can request it during the application window
– The NCSE can lead the review
Special Needs Assistant (SNA)
SNA Redeployment
The SNA Redeployment Scheme was launched by the NCSE in 2026 to facilitate the movement of SNAs from one school to another.