The Department of Education has announced the roll out of the ‘In-person Supplementary Programme to Support the Education and/or Care Needs of Pupils with Complex Needs’ scheme. Participation in the programme is voluntary for families, teachers and SNAs and must be delivered in accordance with public health advice.
What is the Supplementary Programme?
Parents can engage SNAs/teachers/tutors to work in a student’s home, at evenings and weekends, outside of school hours.
An allocation of 5 hours per week of home-based teaching or care supports will be made available to eligible pupils commencing the 11th February and running until the end of April. (20 hours in total) To give parents every chance to participate in the scheme, the Department will allow parents to arrange for the delivery of any of the unused balance of the 20 hours of support, over the Easter break.
This allocation is intended to supplement, and not replace, the remote teaching provided by the pupil’s school and can be provided by a teacher or SNA
Who is Eligible?
All pupils enrolled in special schools and special classes in primary schools
Pupils in mainstream classes in primary schools, who are accessing the highest level of the continuum of support in school (i.e. School Support Plus/Support for a Few stage of the Continuum of Support) This will include pupils with Autism, Down syndrome, sensory impairments, and other disabilities who were eligible for the summer programme of 2020.
I am unsure if my child is eligible.
Check with your child’s teacher, SET teacher or the principal if you want to find out if your child is eligible for this program.
I am interested in participating in the programme. How can I find a teacher/SNA to work with my child?
Similar to the department’s home based summer programme, parents will engage teachers/SNAs directly in a private arrangement.
If a parent is having difficulty finding someone to provide the programme – please contact the school. We will endeavour to put you in contact with any teachers or SNAs who are interested in participating in the programme.