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Kev Stroud

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.

Nicci Levy

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.

Heloise Dove

Profile

After qualifying in 1971 I worked continuously in the children and families field of social work for independent, voluntary and statutory organisations, in residential and fieldwork settings, until 1988, including seventeen years in local authorities, six as a manager. For thirteen of these I was also an Approved Social Worker under the 1983 Mental Health Act. Since 1998 I have worked as a Children’s Guardian and Independent Social Worker. As an ISW I have prepared over 150 expert reports including assessments of risk, of needs, of parents and family members, generally within complex court proceedings. I give evidence in Court on a frequent basis.

Julia Isikwe Hughes

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.

Barbara Lockhart-Gleeson

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.

Alison Austin

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.

Eugene McCarthy

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).

Blossom Francis

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.

Paul Levy

Profile

My background is in residential social care and charitable organisation settings and I have been practising as an ISW since 2004. Since this time I have provided social work services in both statutory and voluntary settings ranging from front line interim management, expert witness assessments for the court in public and private law proceedings, including PAMS Assessments. I carry out Home Office age assessments and the role of Investigating Officer in the Stage Two complaint process as well as Stage Three Review Panel Chair. I also chair Foster Carer Annual Reviews of Approval. CV available on request.

Peter Horrocks

Profile

After twenty years as a Social Worker, Team Manager and Senior Manager in the statutory and voluntary sectors, I now work as an Independent Social Worker. I undertake a wide range of different assessments, including complex Court work, parenting assessments, kinship assessments and SGO reports among others. My knowledge of other European and South American languages and cultures allows me to undertake relevant assessments overseas. I undertake assessments in immigration and asylum cases. A report submitted to the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) was named as a key document in a recent determination Re: MF(Article 8-New rules)Nigeria. Web: www.peter-horrocks.co.uk.