New online course in legal training for child protection & welfare practitioners

Posted on: 24 January 2017

Trinity’s School of Social Work and Social Policy in collaboration with Mason Hayes & Curran are launching a new online continuing professional development (CPD) course in Legal Training for Child Protection and Welfare Practitioners.

This four week online course, starting on 27 February 2017, will explore the current legal framework for Child Protection practice, Parental and Children’s Legal Rights, and recent updates to Child Protection Legislation, with particular focus on the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, and the Children First Act 2015. This course is relevant to Allied Health Professionals within the scope of Child Protection and Welfare including Social Workers, Social Care Workers, Family Support Workers, Public Health Nurses and Gardaí.

Sonya Bruen, Course Director has practised for over 15 years as a Social Worker and Solicitor in Public Law Proceedings. As a result of this experience, Sonya is in a position to provide tailored and specialised training to address the key legal issues facing Child Protection Practitioners today.

Following the recent amendment to the Irish Constitution (Article 42A) and the introduction of a range of new Child Protection Legislation, practitioners have identified the need for further training to carry out their roles and responsibilities within the current legal framework.

In response to this, Mason Hayes & Curran and Trinity have developed this course to provide a practical guide for practitioners, which they can utilise in the following areas: child protection assessments, case conferences, report writing  and preparation of evidence for court.  

Participants of the course will be able to access relevant and up to date online learning materials at their convenience over a four week period from 27 February 2017. The online course includes videos, interactive presentations, case examples, case law, and discussion. Students will also have the opportunity to speak with lecturer in an online tutorial at the end of the course.

Professor Eoin O’Sullivan, Head of the School Social Work and Social Policy welcomed “the innovative partnership between the School of Social Work and Social Policy and Mason Hayes & Curran, and we look forward to developing additional CPD programmes to meet the practice needs of social work and allied professions.”  

This online course can be considered towards CPD for professionals associated with CORU. Certificates for completion of the course will be issued in April 2017 for CPD portfolios. Participation in the module does not include access to Trinity Library. Closing date for course registration is the 13 February 2017.

Applications are now open for this online course, with details available here .

For more information on online education, including postgraduate courses, at Trinity College Dublin please click here