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Kev Stroud

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSc (Hons), MSc in SW, CQSW, Practice Teaching Award

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy and Expert Witness

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Online abuse and Grooming and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: International, London and South East

Location: Surrey

Email: resolvesocialwork@gmail.com

Mobile: 07504 163211

Telephone: 07504 163211

Profile

I am an Independent Social Worker and Social Work Consultant with nearly 30 years experience of practice and management in social care services, primarily in local authority child protection work. I have worked in various teams - assessment, care planning and court work included - and dealt with a wide range of risk issues for children. I began working independently in 2016. I have well developed assessment, care planning, supervisory and report writing skills. My interests are in improving the effectiveness and quality of services and ensuring good assessment, planning and long-term outcomes for children and families.

Robert Forrester

Personal Information

Qualifications: BA Hons in Applied Social Studies; CQSW & DIPSW

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing and Consultancy

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Immigration and asylum seekers and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Contact supervision

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern, International, London, South East, South West, Wales and West Midlands

Location: South East London

Email: rhf36@yahoo.com

Mobile: 07931 581279

Telephone: 07931 581279

Profile

Born in Jamaica but educated in UK , I am at ease working with clients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have worked in Residential Childrens Homes and after qualifying as SW I joined Hackney Children Services. This inner city experience helped develop strong assessment skills working with communities including Orthodox Jews, Turkish, S. Asians, West African, Eritreans, Caribbean, Irish, White British and Travelling families. I have addressed sexuality and gender issues. Worked for 9 Local Authorities & also Cafcass managing Children's Guardians in the Principal Registry. I was a manager at Windsor & Maidenhead and at Redbridge Children's Trust as a Quality Assurance Officer. I am interested and have undertaken training in so-called parental alienation. A good listener my primary task is to protect vulnerable children.

Naomi Ruben

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSc Psychology, MA Social Work, Parent Assess Trained

Services Offered: Assessments and Expert Witness

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs and Mental Health

Other Expertise: Orthodox and secular Judaism - indepth knowledge; Parent Assess Assessments

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: London

Location: London

Email: naomi@naomiruben.co.uk

Mobile: 07968 593720

Profile

Naomi qualified in 2007, after completing the Graduate Training Scheme with Barnet Council. She worked for the Local Authority for a total of 13 years, covering a range of roles from frontline assessments to child protection and children in foster and kinship care. Having focused on Court Proceedings for several years, Naomi became an ISW in 2017. Since that time, she has completed a wide range of assessments, specialising in Parenting Assessments and SGO reports. Naomi also completes Private Law assessments where there are issues around residence and contact. Naomi is trained in completing Parent Assess assessments where there are known or suspected learning difficulties

Gill Timmis

Personal Information

Qualifications: MA AASW Diploma (Child Protection) CQSW B.Ed, Expert Witness Certificate accredited

Services Offered: Assessments, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern, International, London, South East and South West

Location: South East

Email: gill_timmis@outlook.com

Mobile: 0771 1948658

Telephone: 0771 1948658

Profile

I am an independent social worker with over 25 years experience of children and families social work. My expertise is in the following areas: independent parenting and risk assessments; assessments of prospective adopters and kinship assessments; representation of children as CAFCASS Children’s Guardian and in private law disputes concerning contact, residence and removal from the jurisdiction, appointed by the National Youth Advocacy Service. I have trained social workers and CAFCASS practitioners in child care legislation and practice, adoption and children’s rights and participation. I have published research and professional articles. I have worked in Bulgaria and Ethiopia running workshops in child care practice and legislation. I have knowledge of practice and have social work and legal contacts in Bulgaria and Ethiopia to enable me to provide advice in relation to international cases.

Nicci Levy

Personal Information

Qualifications: Diploma in Social Work, BA(hons) Child and Adolescent Studies, PQ1

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: South East and South West

Location: South East, Kent

Email: nicci.levy@avocetisw.co.uk

Mobile: 7818415633

Telephone: 7818415633

Profile

My background is in residential social care settings, working with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and then I went on to specialise in child protection; working in local authorities as a Social Worker, Deputy Manager and Independent Reviewing Officer. Practising as an ISW since 2006 I undertake assessments for the Court in public and private law proceedings including PAMS Assessments. I carry out the role of Investigating Officer and Independent Person in the Stage Two complaint process as well as Stage Three Review Panel Member and I chair Foster Carer Annual Reviews of Approval. CV available on request.

Niall Rynne

Personal Information

Qualifications: Bachelor Social Work BSW University College Cork; Masters in Social Policy MSocSc UCC Cork

Services Offered: Assessments, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Other and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Age Assessments, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, EHCP (SEN) and Learning difficulties / Special needs

Other Expertise: Tailored professional supports in all areas of Child Welfare and well-being

Regions available: International and Ireland

Location: Ireland

Email: niall@iswc.ie

Profile

As a professional Independent Social Work Consultant based in the Republic of Ireland, I offer qualified, registered, and insured services tailored to meet the needs of UK local authorities and allied professionals. With extensive experience in the placement of children from the UK to Ireland and across the EU, I provide a comprehensive range of assessments, including Connected Persons, Special Guardianship, Kinship Care, Parental and Viability Assessments. Additional services include Contact Supervision, Placement Monitoring, Court Reports, and Expert Witness services. Credentials & Memberships: • CORU Registered No. SW0006566 • Insured by Nagalro UK • IASW Member No. 5168 • NISCC Registered No. 7038894 • BASW Associate Member No. 158792 • Director of Nagalro UK • Member of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) I deliver evidence-based, child-centered assessments and reports, specifically designed to address the unique requirements of instructing Children’s Services Departments across the UK. My expertise includes international placements, legal frameworks, and post-placement support, such as home visits, contact supervision, and caregiver support. By fostering collaboration, engagement, and effective communication, I aim to achieve high-quality outcomes for children and families. For local expertise and professional Independent Social Work services in the Republic of Ireland, please contact niall@iswc.ie. Phone 00-353-(0)-87-719-8481 www.iswc.ie

Lauren Doyle

Personal Information

Qualifications: Doctor of Social Work awarded 2025; Master of Social Work, 2013; BA (Hons) Social Studies, 2011

Services Offered: Assessments, Consultancy, Expert Witness and Teaching / Mentoring

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced marriages, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Child abduction; Wardship, Relocation; International family issues; SW research, supervision

Regions available: London, South East and South West

Location: South West

Email: lhdoyleisw@outlook.com

Profile

Since qualifying over ten years ago, I have gained a range of experience within social work in Ireland, Wales, and England. Alongside my practice, I have conducted research achieving a Doctorate in Social Work. My strengths lie in direct work with children, risk assessment, and decision making. I complete child and family assessments which feature complex factors and international issues. I am confident in raising the voice of children within their proceedings and advising the court on the living arrangements that are in their best interest. Through my employment with Cafcass, I developed expertise in private law family court proceedings, comprehensively analysing family issues under the Child Arrangements Programme and within the High Court. I am also licensed to provide CUBAS parenting assessments focused toward families where Care Proceedings may be necessary. I can be relied upon to provide expert written and oral evidence.

Bola Ogunnaike

Personal Information

Qualifications: MSc DipSW Social Work

Services Offered: Assessments, Expert Witness and Teaching / Mentoring

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs and Pams Assessments

Regions available: London and South West

Location: Greater London

Email: bolaogunnaike@hotmail.com

Mobile: 07454192662

Telephone: 07454192662

Profile

I am an independent social worker with over 25 years experience of children and families social work. My expertise is in the following areas: Independent parenting and risk assessments including PAMs, ParentAssess and CUBAS; Guardianship/Kinship/Connected Carers Reports Sibling Together & Apart assessments. Representation of children as CAFCASS Children’s Guardian and in private law disputes concerning contact, residence and removal from the jurisdiction. I have prepared numerous reports for court as an expert witness in family proceedings. I am also a practice educator and part time lecturer in social work. I have gained invaluable experience on issues such as parental substance misuse, parental mental health, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, to name a few. My Nigerian background and awareness of cultural issues benefit my assessment and intervention with various Nigerian and ethnic minority communities.

Marie-Louise Perkins

Personal Information

Qualifications: DipSw; BA (Hons) Community Care Management

Services Offered: Assessments and Consultancy

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Training

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern and International

Location: South East

Email: mpassessmentsltd@gmail.com

Mobile: 07714 706972

Telephone: 07714 706972

Profile

Qualified for 14 years, with 12 years frontline child protection and Court proceedings work including Team Manager roles in a Local Authority. Most recently I have been the PLO manager whilst providing staff training around court proceedings and involved in several High Court cases. I have completed Fostering assessments (Form F and reg 24) sibling assessments, parenting assessments (including for parents with addition, domestic abuse and mental health concerns), viability assessments for connected persons as well as working as a Cafcass Associate particularly in private law proceedings (Section 7 reports).

Julia Isikwe Hughes

Personal Information

Qualifications: Certificate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Post Graduate Diploma in social work, CQSW, Advanced Award in Social Work, CCETSW Practice Teaching Award, Post Graduate Diploma Advanced Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Services Offered: Assessments, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Autism, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: German

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern, London, South East and South West

Location: South West London

Email: julia_hughes_gal@hotmail.com

Mobile: 07770 347660

Telephone: 07770 347660

Profile

I am black of Afro-European heritage. I have worked as a Children and Families social worker for the London Borough of Ealing and Staffordshire social service departments. Between 1995 - 2020 I have worked as a Children’s Guardian. I undertake independent Social Work Parenting Assessments, Special Guardianship assessments and Fostering assessments and therapeutic life story work with children who are experiencing trauma as a result of abuse or parental disputes. My specialisms are: West African Culture, Race and Identity. I also undertake International assessments in Germany and Nigeria. I am an integrative psychotherapist and have a small private practice where I work with adults and young people. www.JIH-Counselling.co.uk.