Certificate in Intellectual Disability Practice

NFQ Level 5

This course helps you to develop knowledge and essential skills in Intellectual Disability Practice, including Special Needs Assisting and First Aid. It also prepares you for the workplace.

Available Locations:

Letterkenny

(Ref: 505227)

Starts: 05/10/2026

44 Weeks

Apply Now

Letterkenny

(Ref: 505227)

Online applicants will be redirected to fetchcourses.ie to complete the application process.

What You'll Learn

You will have the opportunity to learn and undertake:

Teamworking and Work Practice: Gain practical, hands-on experience to build professional competencies.
Intellectual Disability Studies: Understand key concepts and practices to support individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Understanding Special Needs: Explore the needs of individuals and best practices to support them.
Special Needs Assisting: Develop skills to assist individuals with special needs in diverse settings.
Challenging Behaviour: Learn strategies to understand and manage challenging behaviours effectively.
Empowering the Individual: Focus on fostering independence and personal growth in those you support.
Community Inclusion: Develop skills to promote inclusion and participation in community life.
Facilitating Learning: Learn techniques to support learning and skill development in others.
First Aid Response: Achieve essential first aid skills as per PHECC standards.

This Traineeship includes 10 weeks of work-placement.

On successful completion of this course, you will receive the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 5 Major Award Certificate in Intellectual Disability Practice.

Tá Cúrsaí Oiliúna arna gcomhchistiú ag Rialtas na hÉireann agus an Aontas Eorpach. #EUinMyRegion

Traineeships are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. #EUinMyRegion

Timetable & Modules

Timetable:

This course takes place in-person, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and a half-day Friday.

Timetable
Day	Morning	Afternoon
Mon	✔	✔
Tue	✔	✔
Wed	✔	✔
Thu	✔	✔
Fri	✔

Module	Title
5N1367	Teamworking
5N1433	Work Practice
5N1786	Special Needs Assisting
5N1652	Intellectual Disability Studies
5N1709	Understanding Special Needs
5N1706	Challenging Behaviour
5N1749	Empowering The Individual
5N1740	Community Inclusion
5N1753	Facilitating Learning
FAR	PHECC – First Aid Response

Progression / Career

After successfully completing this course, graduates can seek Health, Family, and Social Care jobs.

Possible roles include Health Care Support Workers, Carers, and Youth Workers. There are opportunities in the public, community, and private sectors.

Recognition of regulatory and statutory bodies is confirmed for some courses.

Graduates can also progress to further and or higher education and training.

Entry Requirements

Students need to have level 4 skills and knowledge from the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ) to succeed in this course. You can show this through relevant life and work experience as no formal qualifications are required for entry to this course.
Students must have a motivation to learn, an interest in the subject and the ability to gain the knowledge, skills and competencies set out in the course.
According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL), non-native English speakers need a B2 level in writing, reading, listening, and speaking.

Eligibility

Non-EU/EEA applicants need permission to work in Ireland. For more details, see our eligibility section.

Cost / Fees

You may be eligible for reduced course fees or a fee waiver (i.e. no cost).

We will talk to you about the possible low/no cost fees options during your application process.

Share This Course:

Real Students, Real Results!

While the focus for most of us on the course was achieving the D licence, there were lots of extras like First Aid, Tourism Visitor Care and Gluais training which I found very useful when I went looking for a job as I had more than just the D licence to offer to an employer.

Dylan Robinson

Qualified Tour Bus Driver, Driving With Tourism Graduate,

“I couldn’t recommend further education and training with Donegal College enough as it provides a great way back into education, to further education or to get a job.”

Shannon Shelby Driscoll

Qualified Teacher and Early Childhood Care and Education Graduate

“I thought there was never a chance for me to go and do nursing. I left school early because I became a mum at a young age and I didn’t have a Leaving Certificate. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone.”

Elaine Tinney

Tertiary Degree Access Route into General Nursing (B.Sc. Hons) Recent Graduate

“The support started from the reception, when you come to Donegal College it is a special atmosphere.”

Yuliia Vaniukova

ACCA Graduate

“With a small class we were able to get comfortable around each other and we were never afraid to ask a question.”

Miranda Darnell

Animal Care Graduate

“It has brought me on so much to believe that any of us are capable of something in the right environment and with people supporting you.”

Lisa Doherty

Pathway to Special Needs Assisting and Early Learning Studies, Graduate

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Our courses are open to school leavers, lifelong learners, job seekers, employees, and employers looking to upskill or reskill.

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You can make your applications for full-time and part-time courses online; you can start the process here on the Donegal College website. Click ‘APPLY‘ on the course of your choice; this redirects you to Fetchcourses.ie, where your application will be processed using the FETCH Courses website and system.

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Yes. Many of our courses lead to nationally recognised qualifications on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), typically Levels 4–6, as well as awards from ILM, City & Guilds, and other industry-recognised bodies.

Where do the courses take place?

Courses are delivered across Donegal at one of our 19 Donegal College campuses, certain courses are delivered in community venues in your local area, various courses are delivered online or through blended learning, and training can be offered on-site at your business, depending on the course.

Can I apply for an Apprenticeship?

The first step is to secure a job with an approved apprentice employer. An Apprenticeship is a three-way contract of employment between you, your employer and SOLAS, with on-the-job and off-the-job training delivered in phases. Full details are available on: www.apprenticeship.ie

To find out more about becoming an apprentice or an approved apprentice employer please contact our Apprenticeship Services Team: Tel: 074 9120500 or Email: apprenticeship@donegaletb.ie