A course run by law firm Mason Hayes & Curran (MHC) in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin has been approved as part of a new national programme aimed at making education more accessible for professionals.

The course, on domestic violence and child protection, gives specialised training to practitioners who work with families and children experiencing domestic violence.

Delivered online over a six-week period, it is relevant to a wide range of health, social care and policing professionals working in the area of child protection and welfare.

Skills needs

The course has been approved as part of MicroCreds.ie, an initiative from the Irish Universities Association that offers short, flexible, university-accredited courses that were designed in collaboration with businesses to meet specific skills needs.

Sonya Bruen (course director and MHC partner) said that the course offered “an innovative and unique learning opportunity” to engage with the evidence on domestic violence and abuse, and its implications for children and families.

“The course also provides practical guidance on the key legislation, and how parental rights and children’s rights can be balanced in this complex area,” she added.