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Certificate in Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse

Course Points
10
Course Duration
1 Semester
Course Level
Level 8
Course Places
16 Places
Course Start Date
September 2024

Three great reasons to consider this course

  • Blended course delivery (online & in-class) to allow greater flexibility to learners as they manage full-time employment and part-time study.
  • This course was developed in collaboration with stakeholders from a range of frontline services directly impacted by Domestic violence abuse.
  • This programme is approved by the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland).

Course Summary

This accredited programme is the first of its kind to be offered in Ireland and aims to support learners in the development of an appropriate level of knowledge, skill and understanding to enable them to appropriately recognise and respond to domestic abuse.

Important notice about this course

Programme under re-development

New programme will commence in September 2024

Applications will open in May/June 2024

This accredited programme is the first of its kind to be developed in Ireland and was developed in collaboration with key individuals from a range of stakeholder groups including, Women’s Aid, Dundalk, Drogheda Women’s & Children Refuge Centre, Probation Service, Department of Social Work, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Department of Midwifery, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. In addition to the stakeholder groups represented on the course development team, guidance was also sought from An Garda Síochána.

Domestic abuse occurs in every culture, country and age group affecting individuals from all socioeconomic, educational and religious backgrounds. Despite this many who encounter it in the course of their work struggle to know how to respond.

Domestic abuse can include physical, sexual and psychological control by one partner over another. This course aims to support learners in the development of an appropriate level of knowledge, skill and understanding to enable them to appropriately recognise and respond to domestic abuse.

Indicative content for the Certificate in Fundamentals of Understanding & Responding to Domestic Abuse:

  • Unit One: Theoretical Context of Domestic Abuse
  • Unit Two: Contemporary Issues Within Domestic Abuse
  • Unit Three: Professional Ethical and Legal Practice

This course aims to support learners in the development of an appropriate level of knowledge, skill and understanding to enable them to appropriately recognise and respond to domestic abuse. Participants on this would will learn to:

  • Appraise the theoretical context of domestic abuse within everyday settings
  • Recognise the indicators of domestic abuse
  • Explore the nature of effective communication for all key stakeholders
  • Critically appraise professional, ethical and legal issues in the context of domestic abuse
  • Reflect upon and consider the promotion of self-care.

More information about the course outcomes, content and assessment

This programme will be delivered via live online lectures on Fridays (9am to 5pm) for a total of 6 Fridays over the semester. In addition, students are also required to attend DkIT for 4 days (09.00hrs to 17.00rhs) over the semester. 

Students are also required to undertake independent and directed study. 

Please note this timetable is subject to change.

Course fee is €750 (to be confirmed) payable in 2 instalments as follows:

  • Instalment 1: €150 (non-refundable) is payable to confirm your acceptance of a course place.
  • Instalment 2: €600 is payable by the end of October 

Applicants should have a Level 7 major award qualification in a relevant discipline.

Equivalent recognition may be given through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process on an individual case-by-case basis to candidates who have not yet achieved this academic standard but who can demonstrate significant relevant professional experience. Candidates may be interviewed.

Due to the blended learning delivery within this course students should have access to a PC / Mac, a headset with a mic, and a broadband internet connection from home, so as to be able to fully participate in the course. Basic IT skills are essential.

DkIT requires that current service users of Domestic Abuse support services do not undertake this course. You should delay your application until such time as you are no longer a service user. This will avoid potential professional conflict of interest between current service users and other course participants.

This course will be of particular interest to those individuals whose work may bring them into contact with victims of Domestic Abuse. Domestic abuse occurs in every culture, country and age group affecting individuals from all socioeconomic, educational and religious backgrounds. It affects both women and men and occurs within heterosexual and lesbian, gay and bisexual or transgender relationships. It is acknowledged, from evidence both nationally and internationally, that the majority of victims are women.

Domestic abuse also affects children even if they are not abused or do not witness it directly. Domestic abuse can present in the form of Elder Abuse where the older person is abused by a significant individual such as their spouse, children, relatives or carer. It is also recognised that it occurs within vulnerable groups such as those with an intellectual and/or physical disability where the abuser may be a carer, partner or relative.

Dr Kathleen Nallen (Programme co-ordinator )
Phone: +353 429370200
Email: kathleen.nallen@dkit.ie

Dr. Geraldine O’Connor (Head of Section (Part time courses), School of Health and Science)
Email: geraldine.oconnor@dkit.ie

Course ID DK_NNFUR_8
Course Type Flexible & Professional
Study Mode Part-Time
Level 8
Duration 1 Semester
Fees €750 TBC
Starting Date September 2024
School School of Health & Science
Department Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years
Credits 10
Awarding Body Dundalk Institute of Technology
Delivery Method Blended

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).