Save Our SNAs Campaign Welcomes Revised Definition of SNA Role
The Save Our SNAs Campaign welcomed a revised definition of the Special Needs Assistant role, which now explicitly includes supporting students' communication and regulation needs. This expanded definition, outlined in a new circular, acknowledges the evolving role of SNAs and follows years of campaigning by parents and advocates.
The Save Our SNAs Campaign, comprising parents, SNAs, and advocates, has welcomed the publication of a revised definition for the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) role in schools. They specifically highlighted the updated language recognizing students' «core needs», including communication and regulation, as a positive development.
This new definition, outlined in a circular, expands SNA duties beyond medical and intimate care to include supporting student engagement, participation in learning, self-regulation, and transitions between classes. This addresses previous complaints that the role was too narrowly focused on primary care needs.
The campaign noted this marks a significant milestone after years of advocacy. The Department of Education stated the new definition reflects the «evolved role of the SNA». The Save Our SNAs Campaign previously organized nationwide demonstrations in February after almost 200 primary schools faced SNA provision cuts, a decision later reversed. The group also emphasized that SNAs must independently review proposed changes to their contracts.