Diploma in Advanced Forensic Practice in Sexual Abuse
Introduction
“Where therapeutic expertise meets forensic understanding in complex safeguarding practice, because safeguarding complex sexual harm requires more than good intentions — it requires forensic understanding — it demands advanced practice.”
Applications are now open for a specialist Diploma designed for experienced professionals who want to strengthen their ability to think, assess and work forensically in complex safeguarding contexts.
Delivered by Eileen Finnegan, Forensic Psychotherapist and Claire Tobin, Independent Safeguarding Consultant, this programme has been developed in response to a significant gap in Irish practice: many professionals are highly skilled in therapeutic or safeguarding work, but have had limited access to specialist training in how to apply a forensic lens to cases involving:
- sexual abuse
- sexual offending
- harmful sexual behaviour
- risk of harm
- family safeguarding concerns
This Diploma focuses on developing professionals’ ability to:
Work Forensically
- Analyse behaviour through a forensic lens
- Understand pathways to sexual offending and harmful behaviour
- Assess patterns of risk, vulnerability and escalation
- Understand denial, minimisation, secrecy and manipulation
- Integrate risk formulation into clinical and safeguarding practice
- Strengthen defensible decision-making in complex cases
Key Learning Areas:
- Sexual abuse dynamics
- Sexual offending behaviour and aetiology
- Trauma, attachment and family systems
- Forensic interviewing and assessment principles
- Safeguarding thresholds and child protection
- Risk assessment frameworks and professional formulation
Who is this programme for?
- Social Workers
- Psychotherapists / Counsellors
- Safeguarding Professionals
- Family Support Practitioners
- Probation / Justice Professionals
- Parenting Capacity Assessment Practitioners
Course Dates:
SEMESTER 1 |
Date | Day | Module | Format |
12/09/2026 | Sat | Module 1 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Foundations in Sexual Abuse and Safeguarding | Onsite |
13/09/2026 | Sun | Module 1 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Foundations in Sexual Abuse and Safeguarding | Onsite |
10/10/2026 | Sat | Module 1 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Foundations in Sexual Abuse and Safeguarding | Onsite |
11/10/2026 | Sun | Module 2 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Trauma and Impact of Sexual Abuse | Onsite |
14/11/2026 | Sat | Module 2 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Trauma and Impact of Sexual Abuse | Onsite |
15/11/2026 | Sun | Module 2 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic Trauma and Impact of Sexual Abuse | Onsite |
12/12/2026 | Sat | Module 3 9:30 – 16:30 Understanding Sexual Offending Behaviour | Online |
23/1/2027 | Sat | Module 3 9:30 – 16:30 Understanding Sexual Offending Behaviour | Online |
24/01/2027 | Sun | Module 3 9:30 – 16:30 Understanding Sexual Offending Behaviour | Online |
13/02/2027 | Sat | Module 4 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic and Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Sexual Abuse | Onsite |
14/02/2027 | Sun | Module 4 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic and Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Sexual Abuse | Onsite |
13/03/2027 | Sat | Module 4 9:30 – 16:30 Forensic and Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Sexual Abuse
| Onsite |
14/03/2027 | Sun | Module 5 9:30 – 16:30 Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offending | Online |
10/04/2027 | Sat | Module 5 9:30 – 16:30 Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offending | Online |
11/04/2027 | Sun | Module 5 9:30 – 16:30 Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offending | Online |
08/05/2027 | Sat | Module 5 9:30 – 16:30 Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offending | Online |
Fees: €1,450.00
Venue
- IICP College, Killinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24
For further information call IICP College on 01 466 4205 or visit Click here .... Select CPD Courses (Long-Term) in the drop down box, tick Diploma in Advanced Practice in Sexual Abuse, Sexual Offending and Safeguarding- Aut26 and click Next to start the application.
