Representatives of the four SNA Branches met in September to consider the recommendations in the NCSE report into the future of the SNA role. 

At present, the NCSE recommendations have not been adopted by the Minister for Education. Fórsa has, however, met with the Department to advise them that, as the representative body of the majority of the country’s SNAs, we fully expect to be part of any discussions relating to the future of the profession.

Having facilitated a discussion of SNA representatives, Fórsa will shortly begin phase two of the consultation by issuing a survey to members on different aspects of the NCSE recommendations. This information will be used to guide the union in any NCSE-related discussions.

At the meeting of SNA representatives, a number of key points emerged, including:

• A clear message needs to go out that the NCSE recommendations have not yet been adopted. They are, at this point, still ‘recommendations’. 
• Is there an opportunity to increase job security? There is a recommendation to ‘frontload’ SNAs into schools. This should be a priority.
• There is an opportunity to explore training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for SNAs.
• There is scope for enhancing and examining the SNA role in meeting behavioural and medical needs. This will bring much needed clarity and allow for the SNA profession to develop.
• There is an opportunity to explore working time issues such as the ‘72 hours’, and working day.

The SNA representatives that attended the meeting recognised that the NCSE report provides an opportunity for SNAs to clarify and resolve many of the issues that have arisen over the years.

As part of this process, we are encouraging all SNA members to complete the upcoming survey, which will ensure that Fórsa enters any related negotiations or discussions with as much information as possible.

The survey will be distributed to SNA members in the coming weeks.

The union will also host a series of regional briefings on the NCSE consultation. These are as follows:

Please note change of dates in Kerry, Tipperary, Cork and Limerick from those previously published. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Sligo/Leitrim
Tuesday 16th October, 6.30pm to 8pm, Fórsa Offices, Ice House, Fish Quay, Sligo Town

Kerry
Wednesday 17th October, 7pm to 8.30pm. Great Southern Hotel, Killarney (Please note change of date from 7th November)

Tipperary
Tuesday 23rd October, 7pm – 8.30pm, The Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles (please note change of date from 22nd October)

Galway
Thursday 25th October, 6.30pm to 8pm, SIPTU Offices, Forester Court, Galway City

Cavan/Monaghan
Thursday 1st November, 6.30pm to 8pm, SIPTU Offices, Thomas Ashe Street, Cavan Town

Cork
Tuesday 6th November, 7pm to 8.30pm Kingsley Hotel, Cork City (please note change of date from 17th October)

Limerick/Clare
Wednesday 7th November – 7pm to 8.30pm, Fórsa Offices, Roxboro Road, Limerick City (Please note change of date from 6th November)

Donegal
Thursday 8th November, 6.30pm to 8pm, SIPTU Offices, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Waterford
Thursday 8th November – 7pm to 8.30pm. Teachers Centre, Newtown Road, Waterford.

Roscommon
Thursday 15th November, 6.30pm to 8pm. Land Registry Offices, Government Buildings, Golf Links Road, Roscommon Town

Related:

The SNA review: main points and recommendations