Mayo Education Support Centre

As an SNA you can find yourself working with children who are attending EAL classes. Learn how you can best support these children as they learn to speak a new language. 

This engaging and practical course is designed for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) who want to deepen their understanding of sensory processing and the role of sensory play in supporting children with additional needs.

Participants will explore how sensory processing impacts learning and behaviour, learn to identify sensory sensitivities and needs, and discover strategies to create inclusive, sensory-friendly environments.

SNAs will learn about the eight sensory systems of the body and will gain confidence in using sensory play to enhance regulation, engagement, and development in the children they support.

Supporting students with toileting and enuresis (incontinence challenges) in the school setting requires a developmentally informed, holistic approach. This course is designed for SNAs to provide practical strategies that promote independence, dignity, and confidence in managing toileting.

Children experiencing toileting challenges or enuresis (incontinence) challenges may face physical, sensory or emotional challenges that impact their daily school life. This course explores the root causes of toileting challenges, including sensory processing, motor skills, routines, and emotional regulation, while equipping SNAs with practical, respectful, and effective support strategies.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the developmental factors influencing toileting and enuresis incontinence in children.
• Support students in developing independence with toileting routines and self-care skills.
• Identify and manage sensory, physical, and emotional challenges related to toileting.
• Implement discreet and supportive strategies to promote confidence and dignity.
• Reflect on and adapt support strategies to meet individual student needs

Supporting a child with Dyslexia in the primary school setting requires understanding, patience, and effective strategies. This course is designed specifically for SNAs in mind by providing clear, no-nonsense information about Dyslexia—what it is, how it affects children, and the impact it can have on learning. With a practical approach, this course will equip SNAs with essential knowledge and strategies to support children with Dyslexia effectively. Through factual insights, real-world examples, and expert guidance, SNAs will gain a deeper understanding of Dyslexia and how to respond with confidence and empathy.

Learning outcomes:

• Define Dyslexia, dispel common misconceptions, and recognize its impact on learning and well-being.
• Support a child’s literacy and learning by implementing strategies to assist with reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension
• Build a child’s confidence and emotional well-being by providing reassurance, encouragement, and strategies to foster self-esteem, self-efficacy, resilience, and independence.
• Explore and learn how to integrate assistive tools such as text-to-speech software, audiobooks, and dictation to support learning.
• Support a child’s organisation skills to help them with task management, following instructions, and active participation in lessons.
• Engage in reflective practice to assess and refine approaches for meeting individual student needs.

This course offers a foundational and practical exploration of neurodiversity, with a focus on autism and affirming approaches that support inclusive, compassionate, and responsive educational environments.

test-cpdr-autogroup

Stripe-2025-Test

Children struggling with anxiety can find the school environment overwhelming—and as an SNA, you play a vital role in offering the support they need to feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. But knowing how to help can feel challenging.

This practical, easy-to-follow course gives you six essential tools to confidently support anxious children in the classroom. You’ll gain a clear understanding of anxiety—how it presents, why it happens, and what works to help children feel more secure and regulated.

Through simple, effective strategies, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand anxiety through the lens of developmental and brain science. 
• Recognise signs and triggers of anxiety and how to respond with confidence
• Create a calm, supportive environment that helps children feel safe
• Use six practical tools to help anxious children thrive in the school setting

By the end of this course, you’ll walk away feeling empowered, prepared, and equipped with actionable techniques that make a real difference in a child’s day.

This course is designed specifically for SNAs working in primary schools—so whether you're new to the role or looking to expand your toolkit, these six steps will give you the confidence and skills to support children with anxiety effectively.

Children struggling with anxiety can find the school environment overwhelming—and as an SNA, you play a vital role in offering the support they need to feel safe, understood, and ready to learn. But knowing how to help can feel challenging.

This practical, easy-to-follow course gives you six essential tools to confidently support anxious children in the classroom. You’ll gain a clear understanding of anxiety—how it presents, why it happens, and what works to help children feel more secure and regulated.

Through simple, effective strategies, you’ll learn how to:

• Understand anxiety through the lens of developmental and brain science. 
• Recognise signs and triggers of anxiety and how to respond with confidence
• Create a calm, supportive environment that helps children feel safe
• Use six practical tools to help anxious children thrive in the school setting

By the end of this course, you’ll walk away feeling empowered, prepared, and equipped with actionable techniques that make a real difference in a child’s day.

This course is designed specifically for SNAs working in primary schools—so whether you're new to the role or looking to expand your toolkit, these six steps will give you the confidence and skills to support children with anxiety effectively.