Program Overview

Trauma-informed Care: Theory and Practice - Continuing Professional Development Certificate - Cert

Course Fact File

• Code: CCPDTC
• Duration: 16 weeks
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: Cert
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• NFQ Award Title: Special Purpose Award
• Fees: €1000 (€500 for module 1 exam only students)
• Closing Date: Applications opening soon
• Next Intake: January 2026
• Venue: Online
• Start Date: January 2026

Course Outline

This Certificate in Continuing Development in Trauma-informed Care is designed to meet the educational and professional skills needs for front-line practitioners in the integration of trauma-informed practices into their role as a response to working with children, young people, adults and/or their families who have experienced trauma.

The programme focuses on both developing practitioner’s understanding of the lived and living experience of trauma and effectively intervening with those that have experienced trauma across the life span. The programme is practice orientated and focuses on integrating trauma-informed practices through a practice framework that was developed by Dr Maria Lotty, entitled TARA (Trauma, Attachment, Resilience into Action).

The programme examines the theoretical base of the practice of trauma-informed care in an accessible and applicable way with attention to the trauma, stress response system, polyvagal, attachment, mentalising and resiliency theories. The programme introduces students to the applications of the approach in their practice role providing an introduction to the practice of trauma-informed care methods of intervention.

The programme also explores students’ critical thinking on the current debates about the implementation of the practice of trauma-informed care and the impact of vicarious trauma.

Modules

• SS6806 Understanding Trauma-informed Care: Principles and Theory
• SS6807 Application of Trauma-informed Care: Intervention and Practice

Course Practicalities

This programme is scheduled to run as follows: the programme will be delivered on a part-time basis of: 1.5 pre-recorded lectures and 1.5 live online sessions.

The schedule for January 2026 intake will be announced shortly.

Please note that owing to the nature of this programme, places are limited. If we are oversubscribed, we will open a second cohort.

Assessment

The programme is assessed through 2 X 3000-word assignments. These are set at the end of each module.

Why Choose This Course

This course is the only university based credit bearing CPD course in Ireland that offers practitioners the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the effects of trauma and introduce them to the application of the Trauma-informed Care approach into their practice.

It introduces the theoretical framework that underpins the practice of Trauma-informed Care informed by Dr Maria Lotty’s research and extensive professional experience. The course aims to support the practitioners’ in developing an understanding of the theories and principles that underpin this approach and the methods of intervention.

It supports practitioners to build a toolkit of resources to implement Trauma-informed Care in their specific role through extensive accompanying resource material. It also gives practitioners an opportunity to reflect on these concepts and how they impact on their professional and personal experience.

It is particularly relevant to those interested in and/or working with children, young people, adults and/or families in roles in health and social care such as social care leaders, childcare leaders, youth workers, social workers, community workers, family support workers, psychotherapists, residential care staff, and mental health professionals.

Requirements

• A level eight honours degree or equivalent qualification within a relevant field such as social work, psychology, social care, youth and community work, family support, psychotherapy, health care or family support.
• Applicants without an NFQ level 8 award are eligible to apply, subject to the approval of the programme Academic Director, if s/he can demonstrate at least three years’ professional experience in a related field – examples include (but are not restricted to) family support, therapeutic practice and community engagement work.
• English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English are required to sit either an IELTS test or a recognised equivalent test. The minimum requirement is an IELTS score of 6.5, or the equivalent TOEFL score with no individual section lower than 6.0.

Fees and Costs

€1000

For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.

How To Apply

To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:

When you log into the Application Portal:

Click Apply Online

Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application

On the 2nd tab Academic Level

Select the following options:

Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC) Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses Academic Programme: The course title you are applying for.

During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:

• Birth Cert or Passport
• Passport Photograph
• Statement of Experience [template available for download during application]
• English Language Test Report [if applicable]
• Transcripts [if applicable]