Characteristics of policy, defining social policy, aims and objectives of social policy, the emergence of social policy in Ireland, social policy and the welfare state, ideologies of social policy, influences on social policy including the Catholic Church, women's groups, pressure groups, charities, the significance of government and state in shaping people's lives, the ecological systems theory. Lessons from the past including events that led to the establishment of an inquiry.

Engagement with First 5, Nurturing Skills, Aistear and Síolta. Develop awareness of the Lisbon Declaration on Homelessness, UNCRC, Sustainable Development Goals etc.Tusla, supporting families and children, levels at which families need support, educational welfare services, child protection and welfare, alternative care, ideological shifts, child welfare, family support projects, income maintenance, education policy, education disadvantage, development of health care policy, current structure, housing policy and overview of current Irish housing system.

Analysing the impact of housing, health, education and welfare policy on babies, young children, families and practitioners.Social disadvantage & the evidence base for early intervention. Early Years Education Policy Unit. Universal & targeted supports for children and families. Targeted early years interventions for children who experience disadvantage, Early years inspections.National Frameworks (e.g Siolta and Aistear), Regulations and Guidelines. The impact of poor housing conditions, homelessness, over crowding on children's lives, policy successes, failures and challenges. The measures to tackle early childhood poverty (First 5).

Child poverty statistics. Package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty. First 5 measures that will address poverty in early childhood. Free and subsidised Early Learning and Care, extension to the Warmth and Well-Being and Warmer Homes Schemes, Community cooking programmes and the introduction of a meals programme to some ELC settings. Introduction of a DEIS-type model for ELC settings to narrow the gap for disadvantaged children. Early intervention, family support. Challenges & opportunities that confront social policy. Social policy approaches that can tackle challenges while enhancing social justice. Demographic trends, Inequality, anti poverty strategies, needs and resources. Transformative approach to social policy,