All four of Fórsa’s SNA (Special Needs Assistants) branches are currently reaching out to members seeking feedback on the use of the new SNA toolkit issued by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). 

Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) have been tasked with rolling out the SNA Toolkit at school cluster meetings, where teachers engage with their SENOs on how schools should be deploying their SNAs. 

Fórsa has expressed concerns because, in a small number of instances, feedback from the meetings suggests SNA posts could be at risk.  

The union’s head of education Andy Pike explained: “The feedback is at odds with the position of the Department of Education and the NCSE, both of which maintain that the number of SNA posts will continue to increase.” 

“Nevertheless, Fórsa really needs SNA members to respond to their branch so that the union is fully aware of the extent of any local problems.” 

“The toolkit is designed to equip schools to deploy their own SNAs in accordance with NCSE advice. We’re aware that elements of the toolkit are not entirely consistent with Circular 0030/2014, which is currently being redrafted as part of the ongoing negotiations on the role of the SNA and the review of the national contract,” he said. 

Andy requested that all SNA members respond to their branch’s request for feedback, in order to ensure each branch has an accurate picture of the extent of any problems. 

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