Claims New Guidelines Restricting Role Of Clare SNAs

It's claimed new guidelines are restricting Clare Special Needs Assistants from helping children in the classroom. It comes as the Department of Education has also been requested to carry out a full review of additional needs school spaces in this county. A circular issued by the Department of Education in May states the role of the SNA is to support the care needs of a child and that responsibility for the overall progress of students lies with the classroom teacher. A recent report by the he National Council for Special Education has also indicated that SNAs should have no role in assisting children with behavioural difficulties, causing outcry in Clare. The local authority has now requested that Minister Helen McEntee calls for an urgent meeting with the NCSE to resolve the issues. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor and SNA, Antoinette Baker Bashua believes it's a glaring policy error.