Module Details

Module Code: CHLD H3412
Module Title: Law for Early Childhood Practice
Title: Law for Early Childhood Practice
Module Level:: 7
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Janette Davies
Module Author:: Margaret Crowley
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to give learners a sound understanding of the Irish Legal System and of the provisions of law which impact upon the care and education of children.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify the main sources of law within the Irish legal system and evaluate their respective importance.
LO2 Differentiate between the rights of the married and unmarried family in Ireland under the Constitution and legislation particularly around guardianship, custody and access to children and consider the need for reform in child and family law in order to meet changing trends in society;
LO3 Analyse and articulate the legal obligation of the Child and Family Agency to protect children in Ireland and apply this to practical situations.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Introduction to the Irish Legal System
• Sources of law; • Court structure and Jurisdiction in particular having regard to child and family law.
Guardianship, Custody & Access to Children
• Parental Rights and Duties • The Guardianship of Infants Act 1964,as amended • The Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 • UN CRC and how it has been incorporated in Irish law to date (in particular the principles of child participation and the "best interests" of the child) • ECHR • Custody and Access • Custody Disputes between Parents • Custody Disputes between Parents and Outsiders • Voice of the child • Children's Rights to include the right to education
Protection of Children
• Role and Duty of the Child and Family Agency/Tusla under the Child Care Act 1991,as amended; Children First Act 2015. • Voluntary Care • Removal of child to safety by member of An Garda Siochana • Care Proceedings • Children in need of special care and protection • Children's Residential Centres • Constitutional Rights of the child and parents/family.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Project100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 100
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Learners will be required to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes through continuous assessment. This work may take the form of a project, presentation, case analysis, essay or problem based assessment. It will
require the learner to identify and analyse areas of the child and family law which are in
need of reform, articulate and discuss any proposals put forward for such
reform and debate their merits.
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00 24
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 6.73 101
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 1.50 18
Independent Learning Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 7.13 107
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Claire Hamilton. Irish Social Work & Social Care Law, Gill & Macmillan Ltd, p.288, [ISBN: 9780717152667].
  • Shannon G. (2021), Child and Family Law, Round Hall, [ISBN: 978041408295].
  • Lydia Bracken. (2018), Child Law in Ireland, [ISBN: 9781911611097].
  • Jim Nestor. (2011), Irish Family Law (4th Ed.), Gill & Macmillan.
  • Burns, Poso and Skivenes. (2017), Child Welfare Removals by the State, Oxford University Press.
  • Allison Kenneally,John Tully. The Irish Legal System, [ISBN: 9781905536580].
  • Louise Crowley. (2013), Family Law, Round Hall.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Byrne & McCutcheon. (2020), The Irish Legal System, 7th ed. Bloomsbury.
  • Ursula Kilkelly. (2008), Children’s Rights in Ireland: Law, Policy and Practice, Tottell.
  • Geoffrey Shannon. (2010), Child law (2nd Ed), Round Hall.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
  • Irish Journal of Family Law. various articles.
Other Resources
  • Justis.ie. for relevant cases and journals..
  • Westlaw.ie. For Irish Journal of Family law and other child and family articles.
  • http://www.tusla.ie/. Tusla website.
  • http://www.childlawproject.ie. Child Care Law Reporting Project.
  • www.statutebook.ie. For all relevant legislation.
  • www.childrensrights.ie. Childrens Rights Alliance.
  • courts.ie. website for the Courts and up to date cases.
  • ww.lawreform.ie. website of the law reform commission with access to multiple reports on law reform including child and family law.
  • www.barnardos.ie. Barnardos website.
  • www.oco.ie. Ombudsman for Children.
  • www.ihrec.ie. Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission website.
  • 'http://www.europa.eu/'. EU Website.
Discussion Note: