Schools will not lose more than one SNA in any one year – new workforce plan

The Fórsa trade union said that while the new proposals 'fall short' of its objectives in some areas, the result is a package of measures setting 'the role of the SNA firmly on a clear path to a professional future'. Picture: iStock 

Schools will not lose more than one Special Needs Assistant (SNA) annually, and affected staff will be offered another post, under proposals published in the first workforce plan for the profession.

Earlier this year, controversy engulfed the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) after it emerged SNA posts at almost 200 schools were to be cut to provide for need elsewhere in the system. 

The proposals were paused and then quickly shelved following public outcry.

Following this, Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan announced no school would see reductions for the upcoming school year, 2026/27. 

Under the first SNA Workforce Development Plan, published on Wednesday, a school can be deemed to have a ‘surplus’ post when a student or students leave the school, or when there is a reduction in enrolment in a special class.

There can also be a ‘surplus’ post following an SNA allocation review, an NCSE-led assessment “examining the significant primary care needs of students and school deployment of SNA support".

The plan also includes the first ever redeployment scheme for SNAs, which will give those whose posts are deemed ‘surplus’ the option to work in another school that has available vacancies.

In mainstream schools, SNAs are not allocated to individual children. Instead, posts are assigned as a resource for a whole school according to the overall care needs of its students. This remains the case under the proposals. 

Announcing details of the plan, Ms Naughton said that from September 2027, no school will experience a reduction of more than one SNA in any single year.

This reflects feedback received from SNAs, parents and schools, she said.

Our objective is to provide certainty and reassurance to schools, while also ensuring that resources are deployed where they are most needed. 

The Department of Education also published several circulars relating to SNAs on Wednesday. Most notably, this includes an updated circular on the role of the SNA.

A previous circular published in 2014 meant that SNAs were hired based on primary care needs. However, many were assisting with much broader needs once hired.

Fórsa union welcomes publication of plan

The circular published on Wednesday gives broader recognition to the work already being done by most, and lists supporting regulation and communication amongst updated SNA duties.

Fórsa, the union that represents SNAs, said it welcomed the publication of the plan, which it said came following two years of “intensive” negotiations.

It added that while the proposals “fall short” of its objectives in some areas, the result is a package of measures setting “the role of the SNA firmly on a clear path to a professional future". The union will now begin a consultation with its members ahead of a ballot on whether to accept or reject the proposals.

The new framework also ensures that SNAs will have a recognised role in student planning and support, reflecting "the reality of the work they already do every day in schools", according to Andy Pike, head of education with Fórsa.

“These changes will improve stability for SNAs and strengthen support for students with additional needs."

• Jess Casey, Education Correspondent