QQI level 6 6N1957 Special Needs Assisting Project Assessment Brief 2026

6N1957 SNA Project Assessment Brief

A project is a response to a brief devised by the assessor. A project is usually carried out over an extended period of time. Projects may involve research, require investigation of a topic, issue or problem or may involve process such as a design task, a performance or practical activity or production of an artefact or event.

Guidelines: You are required to carry out research on educational provision, inclusive education, behavioural interventions, curriculum implementation and the role of individual education plans for children with special educational needs in Ireland.

The headings, bolded below, should be used throughout your project: 

Educational Provision

• Evaluate the historical provision of education for children with special educational needs in Ireland.
• Assess the various educational options currently available in Ireland for children with special educational needs with reference to legislation, conventions and reports that have led to the current provision.

(10 Marks)

Inclusive Education

Evaluate the importance of the EPSEN Act 2004 in relation to the inclusion of children with special educational needs within the Irish educational system.

• Explore the differences between integration and inclusion in relation to the education of children with special educational needs.
• Analyse the issues and dilemmas concerning the concept of inclusive education.

(10 Marks)

Interventions and Behaviour Support Techniques

• Assess interventions and behaviour support techniques that may be used in the learning environment to support children with one of the following conditions:
  • Autism
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
  • Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD)

• Discuss the importance of identifying the context in which a behaviour is occurs.
• Assess the difference between reactive and proactive approaches to behaviours that challenge.

(10 Marks)

Curriculum Implementation

• Explain the term differentiation and its importance in ensuring children with learning difficulties receive appropriate learning experiences.
• Discuss two ways in which the curriculum can be adapted for children with learning difficulties.
• Compare the similarities and differences between ‘Assessment for Learning’ and ‘Assessment of Learning’.

(10 Marks)

Individual Educational Planning

The SNA will often work as part of the MDT to develop a child’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP).

• Outline the key elements of an Individual Educational Plan evaluating the role they play in the delivery of education for children with special educational needs.
• Evaluate the importance of the multidisciplinary team in devising and implementing Individual Education Plans.
• Discuss the role of the SNA in carrying out observations to support the implementation of the IEP and to report on a child’s process in terms of their IEP targets and goals.

(10 Marks)

Additional Information

Conclusion: (brief summary of the assignment)

Reference List/Bibliography:

Appendices: (supporting material if applicable)

The maximum word count for this Project is 4,000 words.

 Important: Please ensure you read the following information carefully.

Presentation:  The maximum word count for this Project is 4,000 words.

Please note, if you do go over your word count, deduction will be at tutor discretion, based on the relevance of the information submitted. Ensure that you have considered the following; clear identification of research and background information used throughout the project, careful attention to referencing, spelling, grammar, formatting and layout. Ensure that you address all headings. References and appendices do not form part of the word count.

Formatting:  The paper must be word processed. Use Times New Roman or Arial size 12 font with 1.5 line spacing and ensure all pages are numbered correctly.

Confidentiality: This project is theoretically based. Therefore, you shall not name the setting or refer to individuals within your work placement.

Referencing & Plagiarism * IMPORTANT*: Please ensure to clearly reference all information sourced in your work with evidence of in-text referencing and supporting bibliography. To ensure that the correct referencing format is applied, learners should refer to the referencing guidelines and plagiarism policy. Penalties will apply to those assessments that do not consider the referencing guidelines.

All guidelines can be accessed on the student resources hub: https://studyhub.theopencollege.com/ or Moodle Help & Advice Sections.

Top Tip! : To maximise assessment marks, you must support your points with reference to readings, websites, videos etc. Try to paraphrase (put in your own words) the information as much as possible. This demonstrates that you have engaged with the topics and have understood them. Remember, even if you paraphrase, you must always reference where you sourced the information.