Trauma Informed Professional Practice - HEA1033

Module code: HEA1033

NFQ level: 9

ECTS credits: 10

Commencing: September 2025

Cost: The fee for this module is €1,250.

The University does not refund application or registration fees for professional development courses, however, students can defer their registration to the next available sitting, except in the case of micro-credential courses where there is no availability for a deferred entry.

Closing date: August 30th 2025, or earlier if this course is oversubscribed.

Module aim

This course is aimed at practitioners who are working in environments where trauma has an impact on the people and communities they work with and on workers themselves. Contemporary health and social care policy recognises the place of trauma in having a significant impact on people’s health and living experiences. Moreover, understanding people’s life experiences and health conditions through a trauma lens can ensure that the care provided is trauma informed.

This module will explore the impact of trauma on individuals, families, communities, and systems; physically, psychologically, behaviourally and energetically. Health and Social Care Practitioners will firstly examine their knowledge and experience of normal trauma responses and then similarly when the normal trauma response is interrupted or is ineffective for various reasons, including the impact of this on people’s lives. The module will draw on best practice in relation to implementing trauma informed care in professional practice, inclusive of strategies and techniques that will protect practitioners from vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Who should apply?

Professional Development Course for Health and Social Care practitioners who are in practice.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will explore the impact of trauma on individuals, families and systems and how this can impact upon their physical, psychological, behavioural and energetic lives;
• Participants will develop a critical awareness of trauma as a potential underpinning process for multiple health, relationship and behavioural related conditions;
• Participants will appraise the impact of unresolved trauma as it occurs and continues to impact upon people throughout their lifespan and how trauma responses can be renegotiated;
• Participants will critically discuss how systemic trauma patterns can impact upon families, communities and organisations;
• The module will provide health and social care practitioners with up-to-date, evidenced based knowledge to critically develop their theoretical and practical understanding and applying the principles of Trauma Informed Care;
• Participants will demonstrate the confidence and competence to engage in relationships and with interventions conducive to Trauma Informed Practice.

Delivery

The course will take place in DCU over six full days, two weeks apart.

Entry Requirements

Candidates will be expected to hold a primary Level 8 award (NFQ or equivalent) and will be working in a health or social care environment. Candidates should make explicit reference to their area of work in the online application form.

In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). All RPL applicants will be invited to interview and be required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic level training and assessment.

Please Note: Applicants may not apply to take more than 30 credits of micro-credentials.

How to apply

For information on how to apply for this micro-credential, please visit our Application Guide.

Click on this link to apply via the DCU Application Portal.