Suzanne is a qualified CORU registered independent Social Worker. She is based in Dublin with over twenty years’ extensive experience of working with children and families in child protection. Suzanne began her career by working as a residential childcare worker advocating and engaging in therapeutic work with children in care.

Suzanne has significant experience in the District Court and High Court including Special Care and a broad knowledge of relevant legislation and policies. Suzanne is skilled in various child protection assessments including those in sexual abuse as well as capacity and ability to protect assessments.  In all areas of her work, Suzanne ensures that a child’s voice is central, and the welfare of the child is the first and paramount consideration in decision making.

Suzanne has worked on various teams within TUSLA from 2006- 2023 both as a Social Worker and Team Leader which has provided valuable insight into the needs of children and families. Suzanne has considerable amount of experience working with children in care in various settings from foster care to residential care and special care. Suzanne also has experience of working with young people with mental health concerns. As a Team leader, Suzanne had responsibility to chair and manage Child in Care Reviews ensuring the child’s needs where central to decision making.

Suzanne has extensive experience in sexual abuse and worked as a Senior Social Work Practitioner on a specialised team within TUSLA from 2017-2023. Suzanne undertook child abuse substantiation assessments and adopted a trauma informed approach in her work. Suzanne also represented TUSLA at SORAM (Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management) working with key statutory agencies in a multidisciplinary manner to manage the risks of convicted sex offenders and safeguarding the welfare of children.  Asa Senior Social Worker Suzanne also responded and assessed concerns of online offending i.e.: adults under investigation of possession and / or distribution of child exploitation.

Suzanne has been an Independent Social Worker since 2023 and has undertaken general and relative fostering assessments for private agencies. Suzanne has also been appointed by the courts in relation to advocacy work for parents whose children have been removed from their care. Asan Independent Social Worker Suzanne has completed several Section 20 Reports and within this work has ensured the voice of the child is paramount. Suzanne has also worked as part of a response team for Jesuits Ireland in providing advice and support to the public in response to disclosures of abuse.

2006 | MSC Social Work (Masters) – University College Dublin.

2004 | BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies – Dublin Institute of Technology

Further Education and Training

Monthly Professional and Training Sessions with TIGALA.

2024 | Completed PACE Training – Fostering First

2023 | Children’s First – TUSLA

2023 | Completed Assessor Training – Origins Foster Care

2023 | Completed Child Sexual Exploitation Training: Hidden in Plain Sight – MECPATHS

2023 | Certificate in Forensic Interviewing – Forensic Investigation and Training Solutions

2023 | Completed NIAPP training Children who have Sexually Harmed: Considerations and Safety Planning

2023 | Certificate in Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour Practice Guidance – The Aim Project

2023 | Completed Attachment Training  – TUSLA

2022 | Certificate in Signs of Safety – TUSLA

2022 | Certificate in CASP Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure - TUSLA

2021 | Certificate in Assessing and Managing Risks of Sexual Harm to Safeguard Children - Leonard Consultancy

2021 | Qualified in Capacity and Ability to Protect Assessment – Mc Gibbon Consultancy

2021 | Qualified in Aim 3 model of assessment, working with young people who have engaged in sexually harmful behaviour – The Aim Project

2018 | Certificate in risk assessment and management of people who sexually abuse children – Forensic Training Solutions

2016 | Trained in investigative interviewing in child sexual abuse – St Clares

2015 | Completed first time managers course and people management the legal framework

·        Completed comprehensive legal training on childcare legislation including children's first GDPR, Data Protection, National Standards, and regulations of Children in Care.

·        Completed comprehensive therapeutic training “Intouch with children” to enable to work therapeutically with children who have experienced loss, trauma, and abuse.

·        Experienced in providing evidence in Family Law proceedings common custody and access disputes and experience providing evidence to the High Court in Special Care proceedings and under the Brussels Convention.

Areas of Special Interest      

Suzanne has a particular interest in working with children in care and the area of sexual abuse.

Suzanne is also interested in working with children with educational challenges in particular the area of dyslexia.

Professional Membership

Suzanne Dunne is registered with CORU – Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals.

Suzanne is member of NAGALRO – The Professional Association for Children's Guardians, Family Court Advisers and Independent Social Workers.

Suzanne is member of Dyslexia Association of Ireland.

Suzanne is member of IASW – Irish Association of Social Workers