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Carole Littlechild

Personal Information

Qualifications: CQSW 1976; NVQ5 Manageme4nt 2005

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

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

Foreign Languages: English

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

Location: Hertfordshire

Email: carolelittlechild@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile: 07976 529604

Telephone: 07976 529604

Profile

Whilst working with families to develop & maintain parenting skills, understand traumas associated with neglect & abuse, disrupted care through to alternative permanent parenting - understanding & representing children’s needs throughout has been my focus, as a social worker & manager in front line & adoption, in Court reports, as family mediator, as Children’s Guardian & Adoption Panel Advisor. Latterly I have specialised in developing my understanding of trauma and attachment needs in children. I have over 30 years of providing consultancy, practice supervision & training. I have extensive experience in all matters relating to adoption in England & Wales.

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.

Angela Adams

Personal Information

Qualifications: MSC Social Work Studies and Diploma in Social Work

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced marriages, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Regions available: London and South East

Location: London

Email: angelaadams99@icloud.com

Profile

I am an Independent Social Worker and expert witness with over 30 years’ post-qualifying experience in Cafcass, the Probation Service, and independent practice. I specialise in family law proceedings, safeguarding, and domestic abuse, with extensive High Court and international expertise. My background includes adoption, fostering, Special Guardianship, and complex risk assessments. A former Service Manager and High Court Team member with Cafcass, I bring nationally recognised expertise, including award-winning work with children and families. I provide clear, evidence-based assessments and oral evidence, underpinned by a relational, trauma-informed approach that ensures children’s voices and safety remain central.

Patricia Barry-Relph

Personal Information

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

Specialism: Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Specialist Systemic Family Therapy Programme

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: Ireland, London, Scotland, South East, South West and Wales

Location: Surrey and Devon

Email: trishbarryrelph@icloud.com

Profile

I am Founder and Director of Co-Parenting Matters Ltd. trishbarryrelph.com I have extensive experience as an expert in the preparation of reports for Court in Public and Private Law Proceedings where there is a resist – refuse dynamic or contact difficulties with children of separated parents. I have a private clinical practice as a Specialist Systemic Family Therapist in Guildford, Surrey and in Totnes, Devon. I offer bespoke and tailored high conflict therapeutic interventions, and therapeutic viability assessments as a SJE. I am a registered social worker with 38 years’ experience in child protection, adult mental health, (warranted under 1983 MHA) with 20 years’ experience as a clinician in child and adolescent mental health CAMHS. I am a legally registered social worker with CORU in Ireland and am available to work within this jurisdiction.

Helena Ware

Personal Information

Qualifications: B.Soc Science; Post grad diploma in Applied Social Studies; CQSW; Family Therapy training; PAMS training

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Autism, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Forced marriages, Immigration and asylum seekers, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Private law assessments involving contact and residence as well as leave to remove from the jurisdiction. Public law-parenting assessments. I specialise in mental health issues, Learning difficulties / Special needs

Foreign Languages: English, French and Spanish

Regions available: International, London and South East

Location: London

Email: Ware126@btinternet.com

Mobile: 07768 355704

Telephone: 07768 355704

Profile

I qualified in 1976. I worked in a local authority and as senior psychiatric social worker, in Child and Family and Psychiatry. I am a Children’s Guardian and caseworker for NYAS. I have been an independent social worker for the past 21 years specialising as an expert witness in private law and public law assessments in Children Act proceedings. I undertake independent social work assessments of families in private law matters involving residence and contact as well as leave to remove from the jurisdiction or internal relocation. I have assessed parents and families in public law. I have travelled extensively all over the world for assessments in both public and private law. I have family therapy and PAMs training.

Jeffrey Baker

Personal Information

Qualifications: BA, Master of Social Work (MSW), MA Art, MA Psychosocial Studies, PGcert Practice Education

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

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

Location: London

Email: jeffrey@valuedsocialwork.co.uk

Mobile: 07833710328

Telephone: 07833710328

Profile

I am an Independent Social Worker and Expert Witness with 25 years of experience as a qualified social worker, including more than 10 years in independent practice as an expert witness within the UK family court system and investigating complaints and allegations against professionals. I have worked in Local Authority children’s services, Cafcass, and taught social work in universities. I have extensive experience in private and public law proceedings; Section 7 reports; parenting assessments; risk assessments and adoption work. My written and oral evidence has been positively evaluated in several published Family Court judgments.

Angella Wells

Personal Information

Qualifications: PGC Health & Social Care Mngment; Practice Teacher's Award; DipSW; BA(hons) Criminal Justice Studies; LOCF Access to SW

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Immigration and asylum seekers, Mental Health, Pams Assessments and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: English

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

Location: London

Email: angellawells2@gmail.com

Mobile: 07432 081 927

Telephone: 07432 081 927

Profile

I am involved in all aspects of court related family work, undertaking safeguarding/parenting assessments, report writing, delivering training and case file auditing. I am competent in PAMs assessments and have an interest in evidence-based intervention models of assessment/teaching such as Triple P parenting and various strengthening families’ models. I have previously worked as a Child’s Guardian/IRO advocating and supporting children and young people. More recently I have been involved in strategic management with oversight of a range of quality assurance functions, including policies/procedures, performance management, inspection preparation, contextual safeguarding of vulnerable adolescents and serious case review learning.

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.

Barbara Lockhart-Gleeson

Personal Information

Qualifications: CQSW 1981 . Advanced Social Work Programme Tavistock Institute 1989

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

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

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: Eastern, London and South East

Location: London

Email: barbara.lg@blueyonder.co.uk

Mobile: 07751306907

Telephone: 07751306907

Profile

I have been a qualified social worker since 1981 and currently work part time in child mental health services in a national specialist team. I have worked regularly as an independent social worker providing reports to the courts since 2007, and have experience in both public and private law proceedings. I have also provided reports in the Netherlands. I have particular expertise in children with neuro-psychiatric disorders and mothers with mental health difficulties. Occasional availability at short notice in London and South East.