HOW TO HIRE · CHILDCARE & FAMILY · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire an SEN support worker in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A sen support worker in Ireland costs €18–€40 per hour, typically around €25. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring an SEN support worker in five steps
- Are you on the Tusla register of childminding services, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — emotional and Behavioural Support — they offer emotional support to help children cope with anxiety or frustration related to their educational experience.
- How does worker's qualifications change the price?Years on the job are part of what you are paying for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does complexity of the child's needs change the price?Providers price it in because it cannot be worked around. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does duration of support required change the price?The hours quoted are the hours worked, not an estimate of the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Social Skills Development — SEN support workers facilitate social interactions to improve social skills among children — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a SEN support worker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate — childminding registration
The childminding regulations apply only to a childminder caring for children in the CHILDMINDER'S OWN HOME.
Search the Tusla register of childminding services for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. tusla.ie →
Where the rules stand now
A childminder caring for 3 or fewer pre-school children, and 6 or fewer children in total, remains exempt for the transitional period. Registration becomes mandatory from September 2027. Registration is not yet mandatory for every childminder. Ask whether this childminder is registered, and if not, whether they fall inside the transitional exemption — both answers are legitimate in 2026.
Ask where they are in the process, and when they expect to be registered — the date is September 2027 either way. tusla.ie →
Garda vetting
National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 The regulation requiring vetting of household members aged 16 and over commenced on 1 February 2025. Vetting is carried out through a relevant organisation, not by a parent directly. Ask to see the disclosure the childminder holds.
Ask to see the garda vetting letter itself, with its date on it — not a statement that one exists.
Insurance
Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — emotional and Behavioural Support — they offer emotional support to help children cope with anxiety or frustration related to their educational experience.
A good answer: Years on the job are part of what you are paying for. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Providers price it in because it cannot be worked around. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: The hours quoted are the hours worked, not an estimate of the job. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Social Skills Development — SEN support workers facilitate social interactions to improve social skills among children — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a SEN support worker job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability covering minding in the home; ask to see it — academic Assistance — these professionals provide one-on-one academic support, helping children with homework or understanding specific subjects.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the SEN support worker starts, and an itemised invoice after — family Support — provides guidance and resources to families, helping them understand their child's needs and how to best support them.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They are not on the Tusla register of childminding services, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
- They will not talk about it: worker's qualifications — years on the job are part of what you are paying for
- They will not talk about it: complexity of the child's needs — providers price it in because it cannot be worked around
- They will not talk about it: duration of support required — the hours quoted are the hours worked, not an estimate of the job
- A price for the SEN support worker before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
What an SEN support worker costs: €18–€40 per hour
Most SEN support workers quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. In-school support and Home tutoring each carry their own band. SEN Support Worker price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
SEN support workers near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstWorker's qualifications — years on the job are part of what you are paying for — that is what the SEN support worker is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneComplexity of the child's needs — providers price it in because it cannot be worked around — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfDuration of support required — the hours quoted are the hours worked, not an estimate of the job — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherProfessional's experience level — the better known the provider, the less they need to discount — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the SEN support worker is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, location — a provider coming to you charges for the journey as well as the work.
- Academic Assistance
- These professionals provide one-on-one academic support, helping children with homework or understanding specific subjects.
- Social Skills Development
- SEN support workers facilitate social interactions to improve social skills among children.
- Emotional and Behavioural Support
- They offer emotional support to help children cope with anxiety or frustration related to their educational experience.
- In-school Support
- Provides one-on-one assistance to children with SEN during school hours, helping them engage with lessons and participate in activities.
- Social Skills Coaching
- Facilitates social interactions and teaches essential social skills to help children navigate friendships and peer relationships.
- Behaviour Management
- Works with children to develop coping strategies and appropriate behaviours in various settings, promoting emotional regulation.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring an SEN support worker: questions people ask
The cost can vary based on the worker's qualifications, experience, and the complexity of the child's needs. Additional factors may include the duration of support required and the geographical location.
Sessions can vary in length, but they usually last between one to three hours. The duration often depends on the specific needs of the child and the agreed-upon support plan.
While general professionals can provide support, a qualified specialist may be necessary for more complex needs, such as autism or severe learning difficulties. It's essential to assess the specific requirements of your child.
Availability for emergency or same-day services varies by provider. It is advisable to inquire in advance, as many support workers may have pre-scheduled commitments.
Yes, many SEN support workers offer packages that include multiple sessions or related services, which may also provide cost savings. Discuss your specific needs with the provider to find the best arrangement.
SEN support workers generally do not provide medical or therapeutic services unless they have the relevant qualifications. Their primary focus is on educational support and development.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in childcare & family
SEN support workers near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- Tusla — childminding registration opened 30 September 2024
- Tusla — childminding services FAQs
- Department of Children — new regulations for childminding
- National Action Plan for Childminding 2021–2028
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — CHILDCARE - CHILD PROTECTION (Children and education) — Exempt
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only