Title: Current provisions for children with additional needs in Ireland

Assessment Criteria

The candidate is required to carry out research on the current provision for an additional need of their choice. Candidates will explore:

• The difficulties which may be encountered
• Issues relating to integration and inclusion
• The various educational options available
• Examine some of the skills and strategies relevant to curriculum implement.,
• Assess interventions and behavior management techniques that may be used,
• Identify strategies for dealing with stressors in the workplace

The learner is required to explore and include the following:

• Introduction- introduce the project setting out your aims and what you hope to learn/achieve.
• History of educational provisions fun-children with special and additional needs — Explore legislation reform and the right to education. Research both National and International i.e. UNCRC 1989, Warnock Report 1978, EPSEN ACT 2004, Education Act. Equal Statue Acts 2000-2015 etc. Look at the history of SEN for children with special/ additional needs in Ireland.
• Chosen additional/special need – Background information on your chosen additional need and rationale for choosing this additional need.
• Educational options – Assess the various educational options available in Ireland for people with your chosen additional need. Also include any services and supports that are available for children/families with your chosen additional need.
• Integration and inclusion, give a brief summary of integration and inclusion and Discuss the difficulties which may be encountered by a child with chosen additional need in relation to integration and inclusion
• Members of the multidisciplinary team- explain what an MDT is and who may form part of an MDT. Discuss who might be making up members of an MDT for a child with
• Theories to support a child in learning and development in an educational setting-Analysis different learning theories, for example, multiple intelligence, visual, aural and kinaesthetic styles, group work and co-operative learning, which may support a is with our chosen additional need in the learning environment and support them accessing the curriculum. Also, discuss differentiation — what it is and how it could be applied to support a child with your additional need.
• Role of the SNA – Examine the role of the SNA in supporting the child in the classroom/setting. Behavior interventions and management- Explaatrid discuss different behavior interventions and techniques which may be used to support children with challenging behavior in an educational setting. Look at the additional need chosen and consider possible causes or triggers of challenging behavior associated with their need/condition. Explain the role of the SNA, the teacher and the school in behavior management and assessment.
• Stress and stress management- Research the possible sources of stress in the workplace, discuss strategies to manage these and discuss the role of school management in supporting SNA’s in their role.
• Conclusion and reflection- Summarise your findings, discuss what you have learned both professionally and personally and how this will support you in your role as an SNA.