Module: Child Protection & Legal Frameworks

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Child Protection & Legal Frameworks
Module Code	EC106 (ITS) / ECE1020 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies
Module Co-ordinator	Rowan Oberman
Module Teachers	Geraldine French, Marlene Mccormack
NFQ level	6	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat examination
Exam involving 2 essays

Description

This module provides an introduction to the law relating to the care, safety and welfare of children in Ireland. The module provides students with an understanding of both the legal context relating to the children with whom they will be working and legal provisions with direct implications for their own professional practice. The course explores children’s legal status in different family circumstances and goes on to discuss the implications of international conventions supporting children’s rights. Students are then introduced to legislation, regulations and guidelines relating to child care and child protection.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify different sources and areas of law with implications for children and education in Ireland.
2. Outline the legal framework concerning children and families in Ireland.
3. Present key provisions relating to child-care services.
4. Discuss some of the implications of human rights instruments for children in Ireland particularly of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
5. Recognise the implications of child protection law, policies and procedures for those working in early childhood education contexts.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assessment Feedback	45	No Description
Independent Study	56	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

1
This course begins with an introduction to law and its various applications to children and education in Ireland. The course provides an overview of the legal framework exploring different sources of law (including acts of the Oireachtas, constitutional law, EU law, international law, case law and regulations) and different areas of law with possible implications of children and education practitioners (for example: family law, negligence, employment law and equality law).

2
The course goes on to outline key areas of law relating to children and families including the law relating to guardianship, custody, access and maintenance, to public law child care proceedings, to adoption and to domestic violence. The course will discuss the relevant provision of the Irish constitution and the implications of the 31st amendment.

3
The legal provisions relating to pre-school services, the Child Care Act 1991and the Child Care Regulations, will be introduced. Students will engage with the care and safety requirements expected of child care services, recognising the duties undertaken by child carers.

4
Children rights, provided for by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, will be discussed. Students will consider the implications of these rights for early childhood education and what a human rights approach means in an education context. Other relevant conventions, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination will also be introduced.

5
The course will go on to consider key issues and practices relating to child protection. Students will look at: what constitutes child abuse and neglect including exploring some of the reasons for and consequences of child abuse. Students will then examine the legislation, guidelines and good practice relating to the observing, recording and reporting of child protection concerns.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Jim Nestor: 2007, An Introduction to Irish Family Law, 3rd, 19, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin, 071714271X
Shannon, G.: 2010, Childcare Law, 2nd, Round Hall, Dublin, 1858006635
Kilkenney, U.: 2008, Children’s rights in Ireland: Law, Policy and Practice, 2nd, Haywards Heath: Tottel, 1780432267
Colette Murray, Mathias Urban: 2012, Diversity & Equality in Early Childhood, 1st, 15, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, Dublin, 0717149943
Ferguson, H. and O’Reilly, M.: 2011, Keeping children safe: Child Abuse, Child Protection and the Promotion of Welfare, 1, A & A Farmer, Dublin, 1899047727

Other Resources

37652, Website, 0, Irish Statute Book, www.irishstatutebook.ie, 37653, Website, 0, British and Irish Legal Information Institute, www.bailii.org, 37654, Website, 0, Children’s Rights Alliance, www.childrensrights.ie, 37655, Website, 0, Barnardos:, www.barnardos.ie, 37656, Website, 0, Office of the Minister for Children, www.omc.ie,