DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHILD PROTECTION: TRAINING FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND WELFARE PRACTITIONERS*

*Not running in 2024, next iteration will be in 2025

(NFQ Level 9) - 10 ECTS

Introduction

This innovative micro-credential is a collaborative project between Mason, Hayes and Curran, and Trinity College. It is designed to meet the specific need for education and training in legal statues and the application of those in practice for all health, social care and policing professionals working in the area of child protection and welfare.

This MC is offered to a wide range of health, social care and policing professionals working in the area of child protection and welfare. Additionally, it is of relevance to a range of other front-line practitioners engaged in child protection and welfare work, include those working in the domestic violence sector and HSE employees in the disability and primary care sector.

Finally, the area of child protection and welfare is a key priority for work-force development in the public sector and across civil society in Ireland. This responsive MC will therefore be relevant to a broader range of professionals up-skilling in this subject.

Micro-Credential Delivery

This Micro-Credential will be delivered by:

Dr Stephanie Holt, Head of School, Social Work and Social Policy

Stephanie Holt is an Associate Professor (Social Studies) and a Head of School of Social Work and Social Policy in Trinity College Dublin.

Stephanie has a robust background in social work practice across a variety of settings including residential child care, child protection and family support. Currently she is an Invited External Board member of Child Vision National Services Committee and an Invited member of Tusla (National Child Protection and Welfare Agency), she is Chair of the National Childhood Domestic Violence Project and Chair of the Child Protection and Welfare Ireland.

She has a specific interest in the broad substantive area of domestic violence and abuse, with a particular interest and methodological expertise in engaging children in the research process.

Her research interests spans all areas of domestic violence and abuse, including effective interventions, post-separation contact, the impact on children of living with violence and abuse, and domestic homicide.

In collaboration with

Sonya Bruen, Partner in Mason Hayes and Curran LLP

Sonya has been with MHC LLP for over 10 years and is a Partner in the Health & Prosecutions team. During that time, Sonya developed particular experience in child protection law, acting for a number of public bodies including TUSLA and HSE at District, Circuit and High Court level. Before she qualified as a Solicitor, Sonya practiced as a social worker in the area of child protection and welfare for 6 years. She has used this experience to develop a unique understanding of the legal framework for proceedings to place children in state care with a particular focus on the balance of parental and children’s rights.

We wanted to ensure that this micro-credential was flexible in its mode of delivery and therefore it will be delivered fully online, with six sessions delivered weekly. As it is industry focused it is important that its agile delivery meets the demand within this busy professional sector for flexible learning, at the learners pace and in their own time.

Micro-Credential Outline

The course includes six sessions:
•   Session 1: Understanding how children live with domestic violence: exploring definitions, prevalence and impact.
•   Session 2: Understanding domestic violence as an abusive context for children: considering impact through a developmental lens.
•   Session 3: Unpacking the impact of and implications for parenting practices and capacity when domestic violence and abuse is present in families.
•   Session 4: When separation is not a ‘vaccine’ against domestic violence: post-separation contact and the continued abuse of children.
•   Session 5: Understanding the legal framework for domestic violence and child protection
•   Session 6: State intervention for children living with domestic violence

How will this Micro-credential be delivered?
• Fully Online, delivered asynchronously with the exception of two full-day sessions (6 hours x 2).
• The module consists of six work packages, released on a weekly basis to participants, one a week for six weeks, with an additional four weeks allowed for participants to complete all assessed component parts.

How is this Micro-credential assessed?
Students will be assessed as follows:
1.   Case study (3.000 words – 60%)
2.   Group Presentation (30%)
3.   Reflective Learning Journal (10%)

Fees

The fees for this micro-credential are €510.00

Course Start Date and Duration

• The next iteration will run in 2025 , application opening/ closing dates to be confimed

The course runs for 6 weeks online.

Entry requirement and how to apply

A level 8 Degree.

Relevant career experience. This experience should amount to at least 3 years in the role. A C.V. must be uploaded with the application detailing employment history