QQI Level 9 Certificate in Trauma Informed Practice with Children & Adolescents

***Subject to validation by QQI***

Award: QQI L9 Certificate (subject to validation)

Start Date: 2024-2025 Academic Term – Dates TBC

Language requirement: If English is your second language you are required to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) cert at Level 6.5, or equivalent. For more information, please click HERE

Course Fees: €975.00 [A deposit of €292.50 secures your place]

Introduction:

This certificate aims to enhance learners understanding of trauma as it applies to younger children. Children or adolescents who have experienced trauma are at greater risk for later developing a range of mental health problems (Depression, Anxiety etc.), sleep disorders and substance use disorders (SAMHSA, 2014). Therefore, in this module, risk factors such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) will be explored. Prevalence and incidence of trauma will be examined. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology and psychotherapy research, learners will be examining how clients can respond to traumatic experience. Learners will consider the impact of trauma on the biological, psychological, and social domains.

Who Should Apply:

This course will be of interest to those who are working in a supportive capacity with children and adolescents i.e. counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers, social care workers, keyworkers, mental health nurses, guidance counsellors, SNAs, teachers etc.

• Applicants are required to evidence attainment of a minimum of Level 8 in counselling and/or psychotherapy or a minimum of a Level 8 Degree in cognate discipline, or equivalent.
• Applicants are required to be able to demonstrate relevant experience in working with people in a responsible and caring role.
• Applicants must be in a work setting or role which will provide them with opportunities to implement their learning from this module, such as paid or voluntary work with children within the helping professions, counselling support services, psychological settings, social care settings and /or project / youth /community work.

Course Structure:

In this module, learners will engage in formal didactic lectures, skills practice, group discussion, reflective exercises and experiential exercises related to the following:
The indicative content for this Certificate includes:

• Defining Trauma
  • DSM V-TR and ICD 11
  • Power-Threat- Meaning Psychosocial Framework
  • ACEs
  • Prevalence and incidence of Trauma
• Trauma Informed Philosophy and Principles
  • Fallot & Harris 2001
  • SAMSHA 4Rs Framework
  • Social and Cultural Factors
• Impact of Trauma
  • Neurobiology, Polyvagal Theory, and Survival States
  • Dissociation
  • Physical, psychological, relational, and world views
  • Vicarious Trauma and impact on system
• Implications for Therapeutic Work
  • Ethics and Decision making
  • Trauma lens to procedures and power dynamics
  • Therapeutic relationship
  • Intersectionality
  • Strengths Based
  • Phases, approaches, and mediums
  • Supervision

Delivery:

The Certificate in the Trauma Informed Practice with Children & Adolescents is delivered using blended learning. This consists of a rotational module, where learners attend onsite classes and online classes. We do not utilise hybrid approaches, therefore onsite classes are integral to the programme.

Student Benefits & Support

We hold that it is not enough to simply teach the skills of Trauma Informed Practice. Learners are given the space to learn, practice and be supported as they integrate Trauma Informed Therapy into their professional practice, in their particular context.

Work Based Learning:

Prior to commencing on the programme, learners must be working or volunteering in a setting where they are actively supporting children and/or adolescents. The programme requires that you evidence a minimum of 20 hours of practice where play, creative media and expressive arts are integrated into your professional practice, in your specific context. This must be supervised at a ratio of 1:5, so one supervision session should occur for every 5 hours of practice.

Assessment:

Learners complete two assessments as part of this assignment:

Poster: Learners must create and submit a poster presentation that critically evaluates the scientific research into Trauma, ACEs and Trauma Informed Therapy with Children & Adolescents. The poster should contain a critique of multi-disciplinary perspectives and evaluate the clinical implications of working with trauma in psychotherapy with younger clients, with specific reference to (i) benefits, limitations, and contraindications and (ii) the strategies you would use for managing vicarious trauma and self-care. Learners can choose to filter this through one particular presenting issue if they choose (Violence, Sexual Abuse, Physical Trauma, War etc.) – 70% of module grade.

Role Play: Learners are required to work in pairs to complete a 10-minute video recorded trauma informed assessment, and submit a 1,000-word critical evaluation of same, including analysis of strengths, weaknesses and a deliberate practice plan – 30% of Module Grade.

• Please see Appendix 14 in the supporting documents for a copy of the Grading Rubric for the Poster Component of the Trauma Informed Therapy Assessment Strategy
• Please see Appendix 15 in the supporting documents for a copy of the Grading Rubric for the Role Play Component of the Trauma Informed Therapy Assessment Strategy

Validation & Accreditation of Award:

This Certificate is awarded as a Minor Award at Level 9 on the NFQ and is subject to validation by QQI.

Credits:

10 ECTS

Protection for Enrolled Learners

This programme is covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of IICP College ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded. Current PEL arrangements consist of a 2% levy on course fees. IICP do not pass the cost of this on to learners.

For further information visit our website 

QQI Level 9 Certificate in Trauma Informed Practice with Children & Adolescents - IICP College

or contact:
IICP Office – 0879055330
Email: admissions@iicp.ie