SNA Provision: The DES Value For Money Review

NOTE: Digital hearing-devices are available earlier, to many pupils and students since this post was written in 2011. Some are accessing sound from infancy with actual independence and self-directed learning in their classrooms.

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme in schools in Ireland was assessed in value-for-money terms by the Department of Education and Skills from 2007/8 to 2010. Their June 2011 report is on the link below.

A Value for Money Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (PDF to download)

In the report, concern emerges that “excess [SNA] support may lead to an over-dependence by the student on … support, [with] loss of opportunity for the student to develop independent learning skills”.

Separately, “an over-reliance by the class teacher on a student having such support”, can arise instead of the class teacher learning from the opportunity.

Read: Do Deaf Children Really Need A Special Needs Assistant?

With such concerns, teaching deaf and hard of hearing children independence works by using constructive criticism and feedback.

The DES report regarding deaf children and students:

  1. A ratio of 12 deaf/hard of hearing (hoh) pupils per SNA was advised in the 1993 Special Education Review Committee (SERC) report.
  2. SNAs “have a key role in supporting the needs of deaf/hoh students.”
  3. “The role of the SNA in Ireland should be restated… to include the necessary duties required to support the needs of deaf/hoh students.”
  4. This support can involve note-taking and/or use of ISL or SSE in class, checking audio-visual gear and providing deaf-awareness training.
  5. Where needed, a SNA for a deaf/hoh student reinforces concepts, provides follow-up instruction and facilitates academic participation.

Since 2011, hearing services for school-age children have drastically improved. Most deaf/hoh students do not need a SNA at school, but any teaching-support hours need prudent assignment.

For a deaf/hoh student, a SNA is a teaching-assistant, not a carer. Each SNA assigned to a school needs their responsibilities defined.

Further Reading

* Educational Supports For Deaf Children In Ireland

* Proposed SNA Cuts – Just The Tip Of An Iceberg?

Team Sound Advice
The Effective Use Of IEPs In Irish ClassroomsWhat Does Oral-Deaf Education Involve?
Comments: 3
  1. Sinéad S.
    13 years ago

    While I agree with some of the findings of the DES, I would fear for the future of the SNA scheme and wonder are they fully committed to supporting deaf/hard of hearing pupils in mainstream education.

    As a primary teacher in this country it is becoming very difficult to provide a professional service to all our children. SNA support is vital to enable children with special educational needs to access the curriculum.

    Presently the class teacher has ultimate responsibility for teaching and learning in the classroom. Although we have many talented and committed SNA’s in our schools, their job does not allow them to take any of this responsibility from the teacher.

    So it is time to employ teaching assistants who can take a more formal teaching role. I believe a similar scheme exists in the UK. Teaching assistants would have studied at third level but not necessarily have a teaching qualification.

    Our children deserve this professionalised approach and will be better supported to reach their full potential.

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  2. 13 years ago

    Hi Sinead,

    Many thanks for these practical points, which make good sense. In July, the independent TDs suggested SNAs become learning-support workers, not just care workers, in a system of accreditation.

    Last year’s IASTE conference also identified a need for approaches like tandem-teaching in schools, where one teacher leads in class and the other reinforces the learning with students. While parameters are needed for this technique, it’s a step in the right direction.

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  3. Aldo Carnohan
    12 years ago

    High achievement always happens inside the framework of high expectation.
    Economic downturn can’t be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds have to be healed with the action of the cells in the economic body – the producers and consumers themselves.

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