Sinead has almost 30 years’ experience in the field of Children and Families Social Work. Sinead is skilled in working across all areas of Social Work involving children, families, and their communities. She is a strong advocate for the well-being of vulnerable individuals in society and of working collaboratively to ensure better outcomes for children.

Sinead has extensive experience working in statutory Children’s and Families Social Work. She is proficient in conducting child-centered risk and needs assessments, implementing interventions and developing robust plans around safety, reunification and family contact. Sinead is skilled in developing Care Plans for children/young people across all aspects of the care spectrum, those planning for leaving care and those in Residential and Foster care, Special ,High Support and Secure care . She is experienced in working with children, families, and their communities to address complex social issues and working in partnership with other professionals, agencies, and stakeholders to ensure better outcomes for children and their families. She is committed to ensuring that the child’s/young person’s voice is heard and that their overall best interests are being addressed.

In her role as Team Leader, Sinead worked across all pillars of the service from initial assessment in Child Protection/Welfare cases to Children in Care. She managed various teams of Social Workers/Child Care professionals, promoting a child-centered and creative approach to the provision of services to children, families and communities. Sinead has strongly promoted the understanding of the impact of trauma on the lives of children, their families, and across the systems that support them.

Both as a Social Worker and Team Leader, Sinead conducted investigations into allegations of child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. Sinead is a strong advocate of working collaboratively and has worked closely with services in the community, sitting on Boards of Management  and facilitating groups for young teens and young mothers who have experienced addiction and domestic based violence.

Throughout her career in managing and supporting teams, Sinead has always ensured that the child is at the center of all decision-making and that the voice of the child and their families are heard.  Sinead has extensive knowledge of the relevant legislation, policies, and procedures relating to Child Protection, Welfare, and Children in Care. Sinead has extensive experience within the Court system, conducting and overseeing assessments, preparing detailed reports, and providing evidence at both the District and the High Court level.

2023 | Post Graduate Certificate in Trauma Informed Practice – University College Cork.

1990 – 1994 | Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.- Hons) –Sociology and Social Studies – Brunel University (UK)  

1992– 1994 | Diploma Qualification in Social Work – Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CETSW)              

1988 – 1990 | Certificate in Social Care – Dublin Institute of Technology

Further Education and Training

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Monthly Professional and Training Sessions with TIGALA.

2024 | Children’s First – TUSLA

2024 | Complaints Handling

2022 | Trauma Informed Care

2021 | Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 Training

2019 | Leadership Training

2018 | Trauma Informed Practice – Dr Patricia Skuse & Johnny Matthews

2018 | Person Brain Model - Dr Paul Baker (USA)

2016 | Signs of Safety  

2016 | Mediation Skills

2016 | Reintegrating Offenders back into the Community

2016 |Children's Right to be Heard in Court- Children’s Rights Alliance

2015 | The Attachment Assessment and Support Model – Dr Lisa O’Reilly

2012 | Parenting Capacity Assessments- Forensic Psychology Service

2011 | Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

2011 | Attachment Training – Margaret Beaumont

2010 | Working with Sex Offenders and their Families – Ray Weir

2006 | Direct Work with Children

2005 | Brief Therapy Intervention

2024 – Present | Guardian ad Litem – The Independent Guardian Ad LitemAgency (TIGALA)

2003 – 2024 | Social Work Team Leader – Child & Family Agency –TUSLA

1994 – 2003 | Professionally Qualified Social Worker – Health Services Executive – SWAHB

1994 | Social Worker – Slough Borough Council, UK

1988 – 1994 | Residential Care Services (Intermittent)

Areas of Special Interest

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In her many years’ experience Sinead has worked with families in the community and those who encounter statutory services. Sinead recognises the importance of communication and relationships in engaging and working with children and their families and is a strong advocate of working collaboratively to ensure better outcomes for children and young people.

Sinead’s particular areas of interest are:

·        Child development and Developmental Trauma - Working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and attachment difficulties.

·        Care planning of young people with complex needs.

·        Engaging with and advocating for those that can often struggle to engage with services/professionals.  

·        Child protection risk assessments and Safety Planning where there are concerns of neglect or abuse.

·        Long-Term care-planning for children across all aspects of the care system.

·        Working with and supporting young people Leaving Care.

·        Working with children and adults of all abilities and capacities to ascertain their views and represent them clearly.

·        Family Contact and Reunification planning.

·        File Reviews to promote learning and service improvement .

Professional Membership

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Sinead Moran is registered with CORU.

Member of NAGALRO Professional Association for Children’s Guardians, Family Advisers and Independent Social Workers &  IASW – Irish Association of Social Workers.