Fórsa this evening (Wednesday) said that education minister Joe McHugh appeared to misunderstand his department’s arrangements for the temporary reallocation of special needs assistants (SNAs) during the coronavirus crisis.
In media interviews today (Wednesday), minister McHugh indicated that SNAs would be reassigned to nursing and other front-line medical and healthcare roles in the HSE.
In fact, the education department circular published today says any reassigned SNAs will be allocated to the HSE’s children’s disability services, where most are expected to maintain contact with the student that they already assist – and their family – primarily through remote applications.
Fórsa’s head of education Andy Pike said there was no question of SNAs taking on nursing, medical or nursing assistant roles, for which they were wholly unqualified.
Fórsa’s head of education Andy Pike said there was no question of SNAs taking on nursing, medical or nursing assistant roles, for which they were wholly unqualified.
“SNAs perform vital roles, which are still needed, in supporting children with special needs. But they are not qualified nurses. There is no question of SNAs, or other unqualified staff, taking on nursing or other medical roles, and the education department’s circular does not suggest that they will.
“Instead, the department says SNAs will generally be reassigned from schools-based work to continue important supports to children with special needs, who are now isolated in their homes,” he said.
The the department says SNAs will generally be reassigned from schools-based work to continue important supports to children with special needs, who are now isolated in their homes.
The education department’s circular envisages SNAs advising parents on setting up workstations, sharing the child’s familiar school schedule (eg, toileting schedule, sensory break, story time or learning activities) and sharing stories to help the child’s understanding of Covid–19.
In some cases SNAs may be assigned to young people or disabled adults to provide information on how to access essential services.