Diploma in Advanced Forensic Practice in Sexual Abuse, Sexual Offending and Safeguarding

Blended Learning Programme

Strengthen your safeguarding expertise. 

This specialist diploma is designed for experienced professionals who want to strengthen their ability to think, assess and work forensically in complex safeguarding contexts.

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Programme Type: Diploma
Next Intake(s): 12 September 2026

NFQ: N/A
ECTS: N/A

Academic Validation: N/A

Professional Accreditation: N/A

Overview

Introduction

This flagship diploma is an advanced, specialist training programme designed for experienced practitioners working with complex sexual abuse, sexual offending and safeguarding concerns. Developed through the academic partnership of IICP College and Hibernia College, it responds to the growing need for professionals who can integrate therapeutic expertise with forensic understanding in high-risk, high-impact contexts. It is practice-focused and supports those working at the intersection of child protection, safeguarding and forensic mental health.

Participants will develop the skills and confidence to navigate complex cases involving disclosure, risk assessment and multi-agency responses while maintaining ethical, trauma-informed and legally aware practice. Drawing on extensive field expertise and current research, the programme deepens understanding of sexual abuse dynamics, offending behaviour and the impact of trauma while strengthening decision-making, professional resilience and collaborative safeguarding approaches. Graduates emerge with a robust, practice-ready framework for working safely and effectively in some of the most challenging areas of professional practice.

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  
Who Should Apply

This specialist diploma is designed for experienced professionals who want to strengthen their ability to think, assess and work forensically in complex safeguarding contexts. It is suitable for:

  • Social workers
  • Psychotherapists/counsellors
  • Safeguarding professionals
  • Family support practitioners
  • Probation/justice professionals
  • Parenting capacity assessment practitioners
Entry Requirements

Learners who enrol in this programme will be experienced professionals working in therapeutic, clinical or safeguarding roles who wish to enhance their knowledge, skills and competence in applying a forensic lens to complex cases involving sexual harm.

Applicants will be invited to an interview with faculty as part of the application process.

Minimum Technological Requirements

You will need:

  • Adequate broadband for uploading and downloading
  • A desktop computer or laptop capable of using Zoom
  • A webcam and microphone
  • A web browser
  • Word processing package

This diploma bridges therapeutic expertise with forensic understanding, strengthening learners’ ability to work confidently in complex safeguarding contexts. It supports practitioners to move beyond good intentions towards structured, forensic-informed practice. It enhances the capacity to assess risk, analyse behaviour and make defensible decisions in high-stakes cases. Learners develop a more critical, integrated approach to complex sexual harm. The result is stronger, more effective safeguarding practice.

The indicative content for this diploma includes:

Module 1: Forensic Foundations in Sexual Abuse and Safeguarding 

Module 2: Forensic Trauma and Impact of Sexual Abuse

 Module 3: Understanding Sexual Offending Behaviour

Module 4: Forensic and Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Sexual Abuse

Module 5: Introduction to Forensic Assessment in Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offending  

  

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    
Overview

Learners will engage in formal didactic lectures, skills practice, group discussion, reflective exercises and experiential exercises.

Blended Learning Delivery

This diploma is delivered using a blended learning model. This includes a rotational format in which learners attend both onsite and online classes. Hybrid delivery is not used; therefore, onsite classes are an integral component of the programme.

Assessment

Option A: Case-based reflective assignment (3,000 words)

Or

Option B: Applied practice paper — interpreting a forensic scenario and outlining
an appropriate multidisciplinary response

Assessment focuses on:

  • Understanding of forensic assessment processes
  • Ability to interpret (not conduct) risk assessments
  • Ethical and professional decision-making
  • Integration with safeguarding and therapeutic practice
Lecturers

Eileen Finnegan 
Forensic & Integrative Psychotherapist 

Claire Tobin 
Independent Safeguarding Consultant 

IICP College understands that while partaking in further education is an incredibly rewarding experience, it can also be a financial challenge for some learners. To minimise the financial impact, we strive to keep course fees as competitive as possible. We also offer payment plan options to help learners pay the balance of their fees over the duration of their course.

Cost

€1,450

  • An application processing fee of €100 also applies.
  • Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis following interviews.
  • Upon course offer, a deposit payment of 30% of the course fee is required to secure your place.
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+353 (0)1 661 0168

[email protected]

IICP College Office

+353 (0)1 4664205

©IICP.ie 2026. IICP Education and Training Unlimited Company trading as IICP College registered in Ireland under number 413668 with its registered office at IICP College, Killinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin D24 TKC7.