Ms Linda O'Sullivan:

We see the SNA role as a profession or vocation. The role has changed significantly in terms of what we do and the types of complex needs we are now seeing. When it comes to qualifications, there is a slight academic snobbery from the Department of Education because it has set the bar so low in terms of the minimum educational requirement for people to work in the SNA role. We see that time and again. Non-teaching staff in schools, including secretaries and SNAs, are treated as somehow less than in comparison with teachers. We deserve the same respect as our teaching colleagues and principals.

Regarding the insecure nature of the role, one example of this is having to wait until 31 May to find out whether we have a job. We have all heard about SNAs who have had to wait until that date before they can move to the next level in their lives, whether that is signing for a mortgage, planning a wedding or deciding to have a family. It just cannot continue like that. We are going to drive people out of the profession, which is what the role of SNA is. It is a profession we love and want to protect. We want to ensure the role gets better for SNAs across the country.