Professional Certificate - Legal Responsibilities in Child Welfare and Protection

Legal responsibilities in child welfare and protection is increasingly being focused upon within the public and private domain across all agencies, in terms of documentation and interagency working.

This module provides an in depth focus on the legal and professional considerations which professionals from a multitude of agencies may find themselves in.

This module focuses upon documentation, writing statements and court reports. Students will also have the opportunity to give evidence in a moot court.

The module is delivered via a blended learning approach with one onsite taught day together with a flexible release of on line material in order to facilitate a balanced work /life approach for busy practitioners.

Key Features

  • The  opportunity to give evidence and be cross-examined in a moot court during a  trial
  • Input from practicing lawyers working within child welfare and protection on a daily basis
  • Input from the Gardaí on the investigation of child welfare and protection concerns and the process of attending court.
  • Lectures from practitioners who have worked in the court setting as Magistrates, Gardaí and Solicitors across different European Court systems.

This course is open to a wide variety of practitioners. It is particularly suitable for Gardaí, Nurses, Radiographers, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech and Language therapists, Public Health Nurses, Midwives, Doctors, Social Care Workers, as well as members of the Probation service. It is targeted at those who are interested in improving their documentation skills within the context of their legal responsibilities within child welfare and protection.

The module is structured to accommodate work requirements of students and is delivered through a mixture of blended learning and face to face delivery. Full support is given by academic staff, and administrative staff.

The course offers an interdisciplinary perspective and focuses upon areas such as reporting, responding, and practical court skills.  The Assessment is based on the application of report writing and practical skills as applied to the students own area of relevant work.

Delivery Method

The course is delivered using a blended learning   approach with a mixture of 1 day attendance and online learning.  Online content is released at weekly intervals

Students are required to have a level 8 honours degree or above.  Students who do not have a level 8 honours degree or above should contact a member of the programme team in advance of applying and may be eligible based on their prior experience.

Students are required to be currently working with children and/or families and ideally have at least one year’s experience in this area.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified international applicants.  Students are required to:

  • Have a level 8 honours degree or above. 
  • Have attained a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS (minimum score of 6 in any given band) or 600 in TOEFL (250+ computer-based; 100 +iTB score, with a test of written English at 475+). All test results must be less than 2 year old relative to the year of entry to the programme. This is necessary to ensure that prospective students can manage the programme’s academic workload and communicate effectively within the course.
  • Have attained a minimum of 5 months working with children and/or families and provide documented evidence supporting this (Pre-course Experience Declaration Form‌). This experience should normally be attained during the year of planned entry to the programme, and may be undertaken in the students own country. The University is not responsible for arranging this. This experience is necessary to help students to put subject material covered in lectures into context. The Pre-course Clinical Experience Declaration Form must be completed and returned within one month of the course start date and returned to the academic course director.
  • Students are also required to provide an academic and work reference supporting their commitment to and ability to undertake this course.

Click on the www.ucd.ie/apply link and follow the steps outlined.

Should you have any difficulties in processing your application, please contact the course administrator (details below)

Administrator: graduate.imaging@ucd.ie

All applicants are required to complete the diagnostic imaging reference form:Diagnostic Imaging Reference Form

Academic Queries General Queries 

Dr Michaela Davis

UCD School of Medicine

Email: michaela.davis@ucd.ie

Email: graduate.imaging@ucd.ie

Telephone: 7166545


Dr Amanda Phelan

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems

Email: amanada.phelan@ucd.ie

 

Professor Jim Campbell

School of Applied Social Science

Email: jim.campbell@ucd.ie

 

 

 

 

 

For information on course fees please visit:

EU applicants fees

Non EU applicants fees

(please enter programme title or programme major code – in the search bar)

Applicants (regardless of their sponsorship status) are required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to accept programme offers.

Key Information:

  • Major Code X842
  • Duration Part time with a mixture of day attendan
  • Schedule 12 weeks
  • Next Intake January Annually
  • Application by 9th December 2024