Learners on the QQI Level 5 Special Needs Assisting component are asked in this project to pick one diagnosed special educational need and build a full picture of it, from how common it is and how it is diagnosed to the supports a family can access in Ireland. Around that research, the brief also covers the SNA’s own role and skills, the legal framework protecting children with special educational needs, and a short personal reflection on inclusion.

5N1786 Research Additional Needs Project Brief

You are required to research a diagnosed special educational need. In particular, the learner will be required to:

• Outline the roles, responsibilities, qualities and skills of the Special Needs Assistant.
• Create a presentation in order to summarise a minimum of three pieces of current relevant legislation, regulations or guidelines that support the rights of the child.
• Research a diagnosed special educational need, outlining the prevalence, contributing causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and the supports available to the child and their family.
• Clearly reflect on your own personal learning and development with regard to inclusion, and describe any challenges faced.

Appropriate references and a reference list are required.

Presentation Options and Word Count

The project may be presented in a variety of ways, such as a video, presentation, poster, podcast or essay, as agreed with the assessor. As a guide, the word count should be approximately 2,000 to 2,500 words, and 1,000 words is treated as the equivalent of an oral presentation or podcast of 7 to 8 minutes.

Marking Scheme

Get Expert Help with Your 5N1786 SNA Research Project

The research section is the biggest block of marks here, so choose a condition you can find solid Irish sources for, such as NCSE, HSE or AsIAm material for autism, and work through each required heading in turn: prevalence, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis and family supports. For the legislation slides, explain what each law means for the child in the classroom, for example how the EPSEN Act 2004 shapes individual education plans or how the Disability Act 2005 links to assessment of need. Keep your reflection honest and short, tied to what you learned about inclusion.

Our QQI Level 5 project guidance can help you plan the structure and references, and if you are short on time you can ask us to do my QQI assignment with you step by step. You can also compare the 5N1786 project brief from The Open College or the Level 6 Special Needs Assisting assessment brief.