Applications are now open for the online Level 9 Postgraduate Diploma delivered by the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin. This course provides students from all disciplines with the opportunity to develop their understanding of the role that social policies play in shaping our societies. Students will be exposed to the arguments for developing policy interventions in areas such as social security, health and housing, and the challenges of implementing and changing policy in these areas at a national and global level.

This part-time course/CPD (level 7) will take place on five Fridays in May 2020 in TU Dublin Grangegorman campus. The course introduces participants to practical and creative approaches designed to improve quality of life for older people and reflects the HIQA social model of care. The course is designed for people who are working with or have an interest in working with older people. The course would be of particular interest to social care, nursing, and other staff involved in activities programmes in long-term, day care and community settings.

We are pleased to announce, on the success of lasts years awards, we are having another award ceremony in 2020, at the annual conference. To celebrate the achievement of a Social Care Student. The Outstanding contribution Award is to recognise and reward the outstanding contribution and performance of a social care worker, manager or educator. Closing date for applications has been extended to Monday 24th February 2020.

The body regulating health and social care workers in Ireland is to criminally prosecute two women for claiming to be registered therapists, the first case of its kind since the agency was set up 15 years ago. Coru, which oversees a wide range of professions including social workers, dieticians and physiotherapists, alleges the women falsely claimed to be a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist while operating a business together in Cork. Both professions are “protected titles” meaning holders must be registered with Coru in order to practice, similar to the requirement that doctors be registered with the […]

The Elections material for the General Election 2020 from Inclusion Ireland is found here: http://www.inclusionireland.ie/election-2020 In this link you will find, Election 2020, Our Asks of the Parties. In the run up to Election 2020, Inclusion Ireland is meeting the various political parties and asking that they include various commitments in their manifestos. We want them to commit to this document  if they are elected to the Dáil in 2020. Inclusion Ireland has developed a list  of questions, you may like to ask of candidates for Election 2020 as they canvas for your votes. There are proposed questions on education, […]

Family life and technology with Dr Colman Noctor  Podcast   In this episode, we’re joined by child and adolescent psychotherapist Dr Colman Noctor to talk about the effects of modern technology on a child’s development, family life, and our mental health. We look at whether technology is making our kids more anxious, tackling phone addiction, and how parents can manage technology use in the home. If you have been affected by the contents of this podcast episode, please contact the Samaritans on Freephone 116 123, or see the list of youth mental health support services  HERE 

Judge agreed with Medical Council that the action was essential for public safety Despite hundreds of letters and emails to him, Dr Syed Munir had a history of non-engagement with the Medical Council’s professional and disciplinary requirements, the court heard. File photograph: David Sleator The Irish Times: Mon, Jan 27, 2020, 17:43 A doctor has been struck off the medical register by the president of the High Court after he was found guilty of misconduct by repeatedly ignoring requirements to keep up to date with his professional competency. Mr Justice Peter Kelly said Dr Syed Munir, a senior house officer in the anaesthesiology department of Blanchardstown Hospital, […]

HSE Mental Health, together with the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), have published the report Improving suicide bereavement supports in Ireland. The ‘Improving suicide bereavement supports in Ireland (2020)’ report sets out 10 core action areas that encompass 21 actions identified as essential for the improvement of suicide bereavement supports. The report also identifies the ownership of the actions that will allow for the improvement and sustainability of services in this area. Click here to find the report HSE Mental Health Operations and the National Office for Suicide Prevention have collaborated on the publication and have agreed on the […]

The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention has produced a helpful booklet outlining how social media content that promotes suicide or self-harm, can be harmful, and how to report it. Copies of this booklet, and a supporting poster, are available to order in the Mental Health section of www.healthpromotion.ie. Most of the time, the internet is a great place where we can connect with others and widely share positive messages or information. But sometimes, social media posts, videos, pictures and articles can be damaging when they show or promote suicide. Harmful information about suicide can be readily accessible online, but social media platforms such as […]