Fórsa launched the second phase of its national campaign to highlight the valuable role of special needs assistants (SNAs) last week. The latest phase of the campaign will see the union’s 12,000 SNA members contacting all TDs and senators in the coming weeks to support Fórsa’s call for a review of the minimum SNA essential qualification, and to promote greater awareness of their complex role.

The education department rejected the union’s claim for a new minimum qualification during the summer.

TDs and senators will also be asked to sign a pledge ahead of an Oireachtas briefing session in Leinster House on 8th December.

The union’s head of Education, Andy Pike, said the outdated requirement for just three ‘D’ passes in the junior certificate lies at the heart of the problem.

“Our SNAs are not being respected or recognised as skilled and committed staff in the Irish education sector, and this campaign has been designed to change that, to give the professional recognition and respect to SNAs that they deserve, and to modernise the qualification requirements for this skilled and invaluable service,” he said.

Andy said establishing a professional qualification at QQI level six would increase the standing of SNAs within in the school system and secure proper recognition for their work. It would also acknowledge the fact that many SNAs already hold qualifications at degree level, while most have achieved at least a level six qualification.

“The Department of Education is essentially ignoring the lived reality of the SNAs in its employment, and remains out of step with international standards. Many other countries require candidates for SNA posts to have a college diploma or level six equivalent qualification.

“Our members are ready now to take the discussion to their local TDs, and to senators, and make them aware of this anomaly. They will appeal to them directly to support the case for updating the minimum qualification standards,” he said.

The SNA qualification has not been altered since the statutory SNA scheme was first established in 1979. Andy said the union wants it replaced with the relevant QQI qualification because the service provided by SNAs has changed considerably since then.

Fórsa met department officials at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in April this year to advance the union’s claim. Fórsa said many schools already seek a level six qualification, and don’t appoint new SNAs unless they already hold a level five award. In a letter sent to the union in July, the department said there was no need to change the qualification.

The #RespectForSNAs campaign to establish a new entrant qualification that reflects the complexities of the role, was launched in July 2021, and has drawn support and endorsements from parents associations, boards of management, school principals, teaching unions, advocacy groups and other stakeholders. Fórsa will also host an online conference on 4th December on the issue, with contributions from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), academic experts, parents groups and SNAs on how education and training for SNAs could be improved.

Watch: SNAs Jesslyn Henry and Linda O’Sullivan spoke to Virgin Media News on Sunday (7^th November) about the campaign. You can watch back HERE

Listen: Fórsa officialShane Lambert spoke to Clem Ryan on KFM about the campaign. Listen back HERE