Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Trinity Menu Trinity Search

Trinity Research in Childhood Centre (TRiCC)

You are here TRiCC Researchers

Ms. Sinead Tobin
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Sch Office - Social Work & Social Policy

Biography

Sinéad is an Assistant Professor in Social Work in the School of Social Work and Social Policy in Trinity College Dublin. She holds a Masters in Applied Social Research from Trinity College Dublin (2014), and a BSS from Trinity College Dublin (2006). Sinéad's dissertation research was a qualitative study investigating young peoples lived experiences of foster care placement breakdown. The study gave an important voice to this vulnerable, often hard to reach population. Sinéad holds an innovative joint appointment position between Trinity College and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. In her appointment to the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Sinéad brings 17 years experience working as a Social Worker, Social Work Team Leader and Principal Social Worker predominantly in the fields of Child Protection and Welfare and Children in Care. Throughout her time as a practitioner Sinead has worked positively with vulnerable children and their families, in a range of complex situations. Sinéad also has experience as Principal Social Worker leading a regional Adoption and Birth Information and Tracing Service. In her role as Assistant Professor within Trinity, Sinéad teaches 'Child Protection Practices' and `Direct Work with Children' on the Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare. She also delivers `Introduction to Work with Children and Families' and `Report Writing in Child and Family Social Work' on the Master in Social Work programme. Sinéad teaches 'Introduction to Child Protection' on the undergraduate BSS (Social Work) degree programme. In addition, she delivers lectures on Social Work Skills as part of Social Work Practice Module to the final year undergraduate BSS students.

Research Expertise

Description

Sinéad's research interests reflect her holistic practice experience venturing between child protection and welfare and children in care. Sinéad has a particular interest in key transitions for children in, and within, the care system, including admission to care, reunification and moves within care. From a child protection perspective, Sinéad is also interested in prevention of child abuse, understanding and responding to child abuse and ultimately supporting Child Protection systems to better meet the needs of children at risk of abuse and those in state care. In her practice to date, Sinéad has championed and valued the rights and voice of children, and intends to honour this in future research endeavours. Sinéad is currently working on a scoping review considering the Lived Experiences of Foster Placement Breakdown. Sinead is also part of the research team working on a Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned project considering the role of inspections in the provision of services in Child and Family Social work.