Personal Information
Qualifications: Certificate of Qualification in Social Work; Diploma in Management Studies
Services Offered:
Assessments and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Autism and Learning difficulties / Special needs
Foreign Languages:
English
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern, London and South East
Location:
Essex
Email:
heloisedove@hotmail.com
Mobile:
07778 220524
Telephone:
07778 220524
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.
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 in 2013, I have gained a range of experience within social work in Ireland, Wales, and England. 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. In the last 6 years I have developed expertise in private law family proceedings, comprehensively analysing family issues under the Child Arrangements Programme, or before the High Court. Alongside my social work practice, I am a PhD candidate researching the experiences of children and young people in Private Law proceedings.
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).
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
Personal Information
Qualifications: MA/DipSW 1996; PQCCA 2002; Practice Teaching Award 2003; Introductory Diploma Management 2007;
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Other, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence and Pams Assessments
Other Expertise:
Section 7 reports
Regions available:
London and South East
Location:
Greater London
Email:
ljtsocialcareltd@gmail.com
Profile
I am a driven and quality-conscious Independent Social Worker with over 25 years of experience, including a role as Principal Social Worker in a Local Authority. I am known for being reliable and grounded in relationship-based, child-focused practice. I prioritise building meaningful connections to support change and use a strength-based approach that recognises challenges and values difference. My work is informed by evidence-based research and practice knowledge. I bring extensive experience from private law proceedings and offer training, consultancy, and supervision. I am also chair of governors at a local school, supporting education and community development.
Personal Information
Qualifications: LLB Hons, MA/CWSW, Accredited Social Work, Practice Teacher, Diploma in Counselling, Advanced Award in Social work. MSC in Mental Health social work and Professional doctorate (from the Tavistock clinic); PAMS
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
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, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues
Foreign Languages:
English, Hindi, Mirpuri, Punjabi and Urdu
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern, International, London, North West, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber
Location:
London
Email:
drfarooqiassessments@gmx.com
Mobile:
07958 295831
Telephone:
07958 295831
Profile
Dr Rukhsana Farooqi Social Work Consultant/Director of Empowering Black Children and Families LTD a multidisciplinary Team. I have expertise in working with families from Pakistan, India and, Bangladesh and an interest in working with children of dual heritage. Also experience of working in child protection and assessing children and families subject to court proceedings. I have been a Guardian ad Litem for the Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham and London panels and a part-time Court Welfare Officer for the Middlesex Probation Service. I undertake Independent comprehensive assessments in Public and Private Law Proceedings, immigration, age assessments and work for the Official Solicitor. I have expertise in forced marriage and honour based violence. I have undertaken assessments where there have been issues of radicalisation. I also have expertise in child and adolescent mental health and therapeutic work with young Asian women.
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.
Personal Information
Qualifications: • Post Qualifying Award in Social Work; • Post Graduate Diploma in Child Welfare and Protection • Bachelor of Arts (HONS) Youth and Community Studies, • Diploma in Social Work
Services Offered:
Assessments, Complaints, Expert Witness, Other and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, Immigration and asylum seekers, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
Domestic Abuse including controlling and coercive behaviour; ParentAssess Assessments.
Regions available:
South West
Location:
South West
Email:
sallyanne.socialwork@gmail.com
Profile
I am a social worker and social care leader since 1999, working in frontline safeguarding services to children. I am skilled in (but not limited to) safeguarding assessment, ParentAssess, family support, fostering assessments, supervision, training, auditing, policy and strategic development. I have practice experience as a Team Manager, Conference Chair and Head of Locality Services in 5 differing Local Authorities. I focus on the welfare of the child as my paramount consideration and practice from a relational, strengths-based perspective. I bring a range of experience from working in local authorities, charities, private agencies and bespoke commissions.
Personal Information
Qualifications: MBA, MSc, CQSW, DipSW, AASW, PTA, RSW
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, 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, Forced marriages, Immigration and asylum seekers, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Pams Assessments, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues
Foreign Languages:
Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Sylheti Bangla and Urdu
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern, London, North East, South East, South West, Wales and West Midlands
Location:
London
Email:
maswoodahmed@hotmail.com
Profile
Experienced PAMS & ParentAssess Trained Independent Social Worker throughout England and Wales. Over 30 years Social Care experience, 17 years as Local Authority Social Work Team Manager. International social work experience including assessment, placement and supervision of children. Expertise in Asian, African, Eastern European, Sudanese, Somalian, middle-Eastern culture, language, religion, including Islam and Muslims. Bangladeshi, Sylheti, Bengali, cultural expert. Learning Disability, mental health and complex parenting/risk assessments. Case management and investigation involving Forced Marriage, Black Magic, Domestic Violence, child sexual exploitation, emotional, physical, sexual abuse and neglect. Independent immigration Tribunal reports. Experienced Expert witness. Expertise in Connected Persons, Special Guardianship (SGO) assessments.
Personal Information
Qualifications: CQSW, Advanced risk assessment training - DVIP (Domestic Violence Intervention Project)
Services Offered:
Expert Witness and Teaching / Mentoring
Specialism:
Domestic violence
Other Expertise:
Knowledge of Judaism
Regions available:
London
Location:
Greater London
Email:
sewvive@gmail.com
Profile
Since qualifying as a social worker in 1994, I worked for Cafcass in private & public law for 12 years & as a Probation Officer. My Local Authority experience is in Early Help & Children's Social Care where I held a specialist domestic violence & abuse post for 7 years. I have worked independently since 2021 as a caseworker when NYAS is appointed as the Rule 16.4 Guardian, as an expert witness in family court proceedings & providing coercive control consultancy & training. I also take direct instructions from parents as a McKenzie Friend in family court proceedings.