Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare

Introduction

This one-year, part-time, multi-disciplinary course offers a postgraduate qualification to practitioners and service managers whose work involves the protection and welfare of children. The course aims to enable experienced professionals to promote the development of family support and welfare services, and to respond to the needs of children at risk. A second year leading to M.Sc. is available to eligible candidates who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma with a 2.1 or better result.

For whom is the course designed?

Those working at managerial or main grade levels in the following fields are eligible to apply: public health nursing, social work, psychology, child care, public health and general medicine, service planning, training; the criminal justice field, including probation and welfare and the Garda Siochana; child and adolescent psychiatry, youth and community work, family support services, education, services for those with a learning or physical disability, child and family law.

Course Structure and Content

The course runs for one academic year, from late September to June, beginning with a two-day induction course. Subsequently, students attend the university full-time for one week per month over nine consecutive months. It is also expected that the equivalent of one day per week in the participant's agency is spent on course-related work.
The course programme covers a variety of subjects, including:

• child protection perspectives and practices
• child care law
• psychology
• family support
• critical issues in out-of-home care
• domestic violence
• direct work with children and families

In addition, seminars and workshops are held on areas of relevant and topical interest.

Teaching Assessment

The course is taught by members of the Social Studies Department, and of other departments in the University. Practitioners, lecturers and policy makers with special expertise from both Ireland and abroad also contribute to teaching. The advantage of a small group is maximised through interactive teaching methods. Competence is assessed on the basis of written assignments, including a project.

Support Structure

Each student is assigned to a course tutor who offers support and guidance on an individual basis.

Admission

Each year, the course is advertised in the national newspapers in March, and the prospectus is sent to all health boards and childcare agencies. Selection interviews take place in May and fourteen places are offered on the basis of interview. Applications must be submitted online through www.pac.ie/tcd

For further information contact the Course Secretary on Tel: +353 1 896 3593 (mornings only).