Program Overview

Overview of the Domestic Violence Child Protection Micro-credential

The Domestic Violence Child Protection: Training for Child Protection & Welfare Practitioners Micro-credential is a collaborative project between Trinity College Dublin and Mason, Hayes and Curran LLP. This micro-credential is designed for health, social care, and policing professionals working in child protection and welfare, as well as other professionals, advocates, and activists engaged in these areas.

Course Details

• Awards: 10 ECTS | Level 9
• Number of Places: 100 Places
• Next Intake: TBC
• Course Coordinator: Nicola Mc Farland
• Course Director: Dr. Stephanie Holt and Sonya Bruen
• Closing Date: N/A

Admission Requirements

• A level 8 Degree
• or
• Relevant career experience (at least 3 years in the role), with a CV uploaded as evidence of employment history

Course Fees

The course fees can be found by clicking on the relevant link for postgraduate fees.

What Will I Learn?

On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:

• Evaluate and synthesise the research evidence on what it is like to be a child and live with domestic violence and abuse
• Demonstrate an understanding and the knowledge to theoretically apply the empirical evidence base on the impact of domestic violence and abuse on parenting
• Critically engage with and discuss the research evidence on post-separation contact
• Appraise and outline the implications for best practice interventions from the above evidence base
• Demonstrate an understanding of and be able to apply the legal framework for responding to domestic violence and abuse within child protection and welfare work
• Demonstrate the ability to articulate and integrate an understanding of new Child Protection Legislation in their day-to-day practice with children and families living with domestic violence and abuse

Course Structure

The course includes six sessions:

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

Delivery and Assessment

• Delivery: This micro-credential will be delivered fully online with learning material assigned on a weekly basis over 6 weeks. Two full-day online sessions (6 hours each) will be facilitated towards the end of the course.
• Assessment:
  • Case study (3,000 words – 60%)
  • Group Presentation (30%)
  • Reflective Learning Journal (10%)