Skip to content 
Special Needs Community Practitioner Program
The Special Needs Community Practitioner (SNCP) Program focuses on providing comprehensive community services for individuals with special needs through a participatory, community-based transdisciplinary approach. SNCPs play a crucial role in the intervention, rehabilitation, and management of acute and chronic cases related to intellectual and developmental disabilities within a residential home context. As children with disabilities transition into adulthood, many are unable to live independently and require 24/7 care in a community home. SNCPs are essential in ensuring these individuals receive the care and support needed to thrive in a therapeutic community. The merits of having community practitioners include improved quality of life, enhanced social integration, and the promotion of independence and self-sufficiency within a supportive environment..
Roles and Responsibilities
SNCPs are responsible for a range of duties that ensure the well-being and development of individuals with disabilities in a community home setting. Their roles include providing nursing care to residents, applying the principles of universal design to create accessible and therapeutic living and working environments, and conducting thorough assessments, evaluations, and profiling to prepare individuals for life in a community home. SNCPs work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver holistic care, addressing both the physical and emotional needs of their clients. They are also involved in developing and implementing individualized care plans that promote independence and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Practical Therapy Knowledge and Intervention Skills
Trainees in the SNCP Program acquire practical therapy knowledge and intervention skills essential for effective practice in community homes. This includes understanding the principles of nursing care for individuals with disabilities, mastering the application of universal design to create inclusive environments, and developing skills in assessment, evaluation, and profiling. The program covers therapeutic techniques and rehabilitation strategies that address both acute and chronic conditions, ensuring trainees are well-equipped to manage a variety of cases. Additionally, trainees learn to create and implement individualized care plans that promote the well-being and independence of residents. The hands-on experience gained during the program prepares SNCPs to handle the unique challenges of working in a community-based setting.
Who Needs to Be Trained as SNCPs?
Training to become an SNCP is essential for a variety of professionals involved in the care and support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This includes nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, and special education teachers who seek to specialize in community-based care. Healthcare professionals who wish to work in residential home settings and provide holistic, transdisciplinary care will benefit from this program. Additionally, caregivers and family members of individuals with disabilities can gain valuable insights and skills to better support their loved ones. By equipping these professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills, the SNCP Program ensures that individuals with disabilities receive the highest standard of care and support within a therapeutic community.
Program Requirements
1. Academic qualification: Minimum bachelor’s degree. English is preferred to be the medium of instruction for the bachelor’s degree. A score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent is acceptable if the medium of instruction or first language is not English.
2. Guided learning hours to fulfil: 30 hours per module (150 hours per tier).
3. Internship hours: 220 hours (under supervision at a special education needs setting, counseling center or therapy clinic or hospital).
Program Modules
Credentialed Tier
Module 1: Community Care Services for People with Special Needs
Module 2: Lifespan Human Development (Late Adolescence to Late Adulthood)
Module 3: Disabilities & Disorders in Adulthood
Module 4: Functionality, Disability & Health
Module 5: Treatment Planning in Community Care Service (with Case Studies)
Registered Tier
Module 1: Disabled Elderly and Elderly Disabled
Module 2: Neurodegenerative Disorders: Assessment & Intervention
Module 3: Screening and Assessment for Adults with Special Needs
Module 4: Comprehensive Healthcare for Adults with Special Needs
Module 5: Sustainability of Special Needs Community Care Services
Board-certified Tier
Module 1: Special Needs Community Care Service Management
Module 2: Current Challenges faced by Special Needs Community Practitioners
Module 3: Universal Design vs Inclusive Design
Module 4: Collaboration with Other Professionals
Module 5: A Comparative Study on Special Needs Community Programs
The Special Needs Community Practitioner Program is delivered by IACT’s authorised training organisation, Merlion Academy.
