Children and Loss

This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:

• Develop a critical understanding of the theory underpinning childhood loss and bereavement.
• Evaluate the different types of loss issues experienced by children at different stages in their development e.g. younger children and adolescents, loss through separation and divorce.
• Critically appraise therapeutic interventions – including art and clay.
• Analyse the role of resilience in bereaved children and an ability to incorporate resilience into care plans.
• Assess support systems for working with children and loss.
• Integrate new knowledge and skill into professional practice.
• Exhibit an integrated value-based and evidence-based approach to the support of bereaved children.
• Debate the merits of theoretical frameworks for children’s loss experiences.
• Apply aspects of theories and models to explain individual children’s grief experiences.
• Assess the moderators in responses to loss, including stage of development and nature of death and relationship lost.
• Critique contemporary understanding of bereavement and loss from a life-cycle perspective.
• Demonstrate critical, reflective practice and self-awareness.
• Locate and critique current knowledge on a loss related topic.
• Locate and appraise intervention strategies for working with children experiencing loss.

Applications are invited from professionals whose work brings them into contact with children who are bereaved through a family death or parental separation. The course will be of interest to teachers, chaplains, social workers, social care workers, psychologists, counsellors, nurses and others who meet bereaved children in their work.

• Applicants must possess a Level 8 degree in a relevant area or international equivalent*. Alternatively, eligibility may be demonstrated through a defined recognition of prior learning (RPL) process. RPL requires demonstration of significant experience in working with children in a professional capacity or through formal volunteering, completion of CPD or other training in a relevant area and, relevance of course to career/opportunity to apply learning.
• An academic transcript is also required. An academic transcript lists your complete academic history: programmes attended, a breakdown of marks/grades achieved, the degree awarded, your overall grade and conferring date.
• Applicants for whom English is not their native language may need to arrange a test to confirm proficiency in English with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). More detailed information on requirements, exceptions and test centres is available here. 

*International degree equivalency should be verified using the Opens in new windowNARIC service from QQI.

Participants on this programme come from a range of professions and sectors across Ireland and the UK.

We aim to work with you to develop a new and informed approach to how bereavement care is provided in the settings in which you work.

Read some of our students and graduates stories below.

Please ensure that you read the below information carefully before starting your application. There is an application fee of €75 payable by credit card.