Trauma-informed Care: Theory & Practice

The programme focuses on both developing practitioner's understanding of the lived experience of trauma and effectively intervening with those that have experienced trauma across the life span. The programme is practice orientated and focuses on practicing Trauma-informed Care through a practice framework that was developed by Dr Maria Lotty published in 2021 (Ref. Lotty, M. (2021). Making Sense of the Practice of Trauma-informed Care: A Response to the need to implement Trauma-informed Care into front-line practice. The Irish Social Worker, Winter, 160-171). 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 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.

Course Practicalities
This programme is scheduled to run in academic year 2023/2024 as follows: the programme will be delivered in a blended format, part-time on-line with 1.5 hours pre-recorded materials and 1.5 hours live lecture per week.

Live online sessions will be delivered on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm as follows:

SS6806 Module 1:

Introduction: 3 October 2023

Week 1: 10 October 2023
Week 2: 17 October 2023
Week 3: 24 October 2023
Week 4: 31 October 2023
Week 5: 7 November 2023
Week 6: 14 November 2023
Week 7: 21 November 2023
Week 8: 28 November 2023

SS6807 Module 2:

Week 1: 23 January 2024
Week 2: 30 January 2024
Week 3: 6 February 2024
Week 4: 13 February 2024
Week 5: 20 February 2024
Week 6: 27 February 2024
Week 7: 5 March 2024
Week 8: 12 March 2024

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.

Interested parties with a qualification in teaching (Early Years, Primary and/or Secondary School) are advised to consider the CPD Certificate in Trauma-informed Practice in Education

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. In addition to IELTS and TOEFL a number of English language tests & examinations are applicable to the majority of our programmes.

CLOSING DATE 8 September 2023

16 weeks part-time, online.