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Mary Hegarty

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSc Psychology, PG Diploma and MSc in Social Work

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

Specialism: Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: CPD Trainer, offering online and bespoke training to professionals including: Working with families following CSA/E; Understanding Trauma; CSA/E and it's impact. I also offer workshops to young people in relation to Healthy Relationships.

Regions available: Ireland

Location: Derry, N Ireland

Email: shconsultancy19@gmail.com

Profile

I was employed by NSPCC in Derry from 2004-2021, initially as a practitioner, then Team Manager, before becoming Service Manager in 2018, specialising throughout in Sexual Abuse recovery work, but also working with families in which there had been domestic abuse. NPSCC made the Service Manager post redundant in late 2021, at which time I became an Independent Therapeutic Social Worker. I am experienced in developing and delivering training in all aspects of this work to statutory and voluntary organisations, and offer training online, I accept referrals from all agencies as well as families/self referrals.

Eugene McCarthy

Personal Information

Qualifications: B SS CQSW Mediator (MFI)

Services Offered: Assessments, Complaints, Consultancy and Teaching / Mentoring

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering and Immigration and asylum seekers

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: Ireland

Location: Ireland

Email: irishsocialwork@pm.me

Profile

I provide an Assessment Service specialising in Form F, Special Guardianship, Kinship Care, & Art 56 (EU Regs) in relation to the placement of children in Ireland from the UK and other EU jurisdictions. I also provide risk assessment and follow up support and supervision where required. My agency Social Work Solutions Ireland is approved for the purposes of obtaining Garda (Irish Police) Vetting. Irish state registered social worker (www.coru.ie) (Reg. No. 005439) and member Irish Assoc of Social Workers (IASW).

Judi Lyons

Personal Information

Qualifications: MA.BA.CQSW. FETC 730, Dip.Child Protection, Dip.French, FMA supervisor

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

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

Other Expertise: Mediation

Foreign Languages: English, French, Hebrew and Spanish

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

Location: Thames Valley and London

Email: judi.lyons@ntlworld.com

Mobile: 07710 038106

Telephone: 07710 038106

Profile

I have worked as an independent social worker specializing in providing assessments of children and their families, principally involved in Children Act (1989) proceedings since 2004. I have provided reports for local authorities, parents and grandparents in public law proceedings and given evidence in court. I have also conducted parenting assessments in the UK and Europe. Until 2010 I was also a Children’s Guardian, having spent 25 years in this role. I have combined this area of work with being a practice teacher and part-time lecturer in social work. I am a qualified FMA supervisor and work as a family mediator and supervisor in divorce proceedings. I currently train solicitors for the Children Panel.

Elena Sandrini

Personal Information

Qualifications: CQSW

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

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Immigration and asylum seekers, Learning difficulties / Special needs and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: International Assignments

Foreign Languages: English and Italian

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

Location: London

Email: elenasandrini13@gmail.com

Mobile: 07768 352551

Telephone: 07768 352551

Profile

I have 38 years experience of working with children and families gained in England, mainland Europe and some third world countries. I specialise in undertaking complex risk and kinship assessments in the UK and abroad, especially in third world states. I have considerable experience in assisting parties to identify common grounds and to enable conciliation when to do so is realistic and appropriate. I have a proven ability to work with those whose ability to care for them is impaired by learning disability of by the effect of substance misuse. I am a strong and effective motivator. I am a trained mediator, I am fluent in Italian and I am approved by the Italian Consulate to undertake assessments in Italy and my work is recognised by the Italian Courts. I have undertaken training as a coach with animas and I available to coach and mediate in English and Italian.

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

Alison Austin

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSc Sociology, CQSW

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing and Expert Witness

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse and Mental Health

Foreign Languages: English, French and Italian

Regions available: Eastern, International, London and South East

Location: Surrey

Email: alison_austin_woodman@yahoo.co.uk

Profile

My early career was spent working at a psychiatric hospital and then as a social worker in a busy London Borough where I was a Fostering and Adoption Officer. I have been a Children’s Guardian since 1984 and more recently I have been writing independent reports as an expert witness in family proceedings. I have also carried out many Home Study Assessments for both Inter-Country and Domestic Adoptions and have experience of guiding applicants through the Court process and preparing Rule 29 Reports.

Margaret Henry

Personal Information

Qualifications: DipSW, BA in Social Work

Services Offered: Assessments, Complaints and Expert Witness

Specialism: Cultural issues, Mental Health and Pams Assessments

Foreign Languages: Bengali

Regions available: London, North West and Yorkshire & Humber

Location: Manchester

Email: margarethenry@aol.com

Mobile: 07905 406712

Telephone: 07905 406712

Profile

I specialize in Cultural Assessments for the African Caribbean Community. I am, PAMS trained and will be undertaking Parent Assessments. I have twenty-one years of post qualified experience undertaking child protection investigation and am available to undertake complaints and investigations.

Blossom Francis

Personal Information

Qualifications: Bachelor SW, Master SW, Practice Teaching and Enabling Others

Services Offered: Assessments and Consultancy

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Pams Assessments

Foreign Languages: English, Gujarati and Hindi

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

Location: London

Email: blossom@bfsocialworkltd.co.uk

Mobile: 07507 863014

Telephone: 07507 863014

Profile

During 15 years of post qualifying experience in children and families front line service, I have gained invaluable experience of various facets such as parental substance misuse, parental mental health, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, honour based violence, to name a few. My Asian/Indian background and awareness of cultural issues benefit my assessment and intervention with various Asian and ethnic minority communities. My ability to speak, read and write Hindi and Gujarati is the cherry on top as I am able to tender my services to a larger population. I have undertaken parenting assessments, risk assessments, Pams, SGO assessments and viability assessments.

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

Paula Pettit

Personal Information

Qualifications: Masters in Social Work, Psychology Degree, VIG Practitioner, L2 & 3 Counselling

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Forced marriages, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Pams Assessments and Sexual abuse issues

Regions available: London, South East and South West

Location: West Sussex

Email: paula.pettit@eastsussex.gov.uk

Profile

I am a Social Worker with 19 years’ experience in children’s services. This includes several years at SWIFT Specialist Family Service where I specialised in domestic abuse, attachment and learning disability. I have extensive experience in specialised risk and parenting assessments, special guardianship assessments and providing expert opinion in family courts. I have worked independently since 2021 and been instructed from local authorities, private fostering agencies, and independent social work agencies. I have a particular interest in domestic abuse, non-accidental injuries, attachment and learning disability. Also have some experience of working with different cultures including Afghan and Pakistani.