Skip to main content

Search the Nagalro ISW Directory

  1. Home
  2. Search the Nagalro ISW Directory

Find a Social Worker using the search facility below: 

Use of the directory confirms your acceptance of our terms & conditions

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.

Charles Plummer

Personal Information

Qualifications: CQSW, Dip SW, Licensed SW (Idaho, USA)

Services Offered: Assessments and Expert Witness

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs and Pams Assessments

Other Expertise: British Sign Language and Judaism/Jewish culture (some knowledge)

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

Location: Bristol/South West

Email: charlesplummeriswp@gmail.com

Profile

I have 35 years’ experience of social work practice with children and families in a variety of settings, encompassing statutory children & families work within local authorities, residential work, family counselling, education, and latterly fostering and adoption. I have held the positions of Senior Practitioner, Practice Supervisor, and Team Manager, and have worked as a Children’s Guardian since 2005. I can undertake assessment of parents who have additional needs/challenges/vulnerabilities, for example, mental health issues, substance misuse issues and learning disabilities. (Parent Assess trained) Section 7, Section 37, & Specific Issues Reports Special Guardianship/Kinship/Connected Carers Reports Sibling Together & Apart assessments

John Abdullah-Zadeh

Personal Information

Qualifications: DipSW, BSc, CQSW, MSc

Services Offered: Assessments and Expert Witness

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Cultural issues, Female Genital Mutilation and Immigration and asylum seekers

Other Expertise: Middle and Far Eastern, Mediterranean and all islamic traditions

Foreign Languages: Arabic, Bangla, English, French, Hindi, Italian, Mirpuri, Punjabi, Spanish and Urdu

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern, International, Ireland, London, North West, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber

Location: UK

Email: abdullah_zadeh@hotmail.com

Mobile: 07860 574063

Telephone: 07860 574063

Profile

Experienced Independent Social Worker throughout England and Wales. Over 40 years Social Work experience, 21 years Local Authority Social Work &Team Manager. International social work, parenting capacity & kinship assessments. Expertise in cultures, ethnicity, faith, and traditions relating to Asian, African, and European families. Immigration and mental health-related issues. Multilingual

Fareena Shaheed

Personal Information

Qualifications: MSc Social Work; DipSW, 1996 BA (Hons)2:1 Social Policy and Administration 1992

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse and Cultural issues

Foreign Languages: English

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

Location: Thames Valley, London

Email: fareena@fareenashaheed.com

Mobile: 07740 404645

Telephone: 07740 404645

Profile

I qualified as a Social Worker in 1996 and commenced work in a local authority, undertaking the full range of statutory intervention. After working with an Independent Fostering Provider I joined Cafcass as a Family Court Adviser, then progressing to Service Manager. I later returned to local authority practice in a QA and Practice Development role. As an Independent Practitioner I provide a broad range of high quality assessments. In addition, I have IRO experience, and contributed the OU SW degree course as an Associate Lecturer. I regularly design and deliver training for practitioners. Find out more or contact me at fareena@fareenashaheed.com or http://fareenashaheed.com/

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.

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.

Surinder Kumari

Personal Information

Qualifications: BA(Hons); CQSW;Diploma in Theology;PQAward in SW; Practice Teaching Award in SW; AA in SW; CPE Law

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy 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: Pams

Foreign Languages: English and Punjabi

Regions available: East Midlands, Eastern, International, Ireland, London, North East, North West, Scotland, South East, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber

Location: West Midlands

Email: s.kumari@ind-assessor.co.uk

Mobile: 07395 565288

Telephone: 07792 060031

Profile

I have considerable experience of court processes and have undertaken numerous assessments for the courts on different aspects including Parenting, Friends and Family Assessments, Sibling attachment, Core Assessments, Social Work Assessments, Contact and Risk Assessments. Some of these have been complex pieces of work with families where there have been child deaths/torture, surrogacy and forced marriages. I am trained to undertake Parenting assessments using the PAMS assessment tool parents with learning difficulties and undertaken the teachings. I am passionate about working with families and presenting good quality assessments to assist the decision making process for children and their families.

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

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.

Patricia Sweeney

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSoc Sc; MSW; MSc Mental Health; MII Mediator

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Mental Health, Sexual abuse issues and Traveller / Roma Families

Other Expertise: Will supervise access visits; Housing assessments for sex offenders

Foreign Languages: Gaelic

Regions available: Ireland

Email: psweeney@swmc.ie

Profile

I have been a Senior Social Worker working in Ireland’s largest local Authority where I assisted individuals and families to live independently whilst encouraging safe and secure communities. During this time, I completed a Masters in Mental Health, with a particular focus on forensic mental health and housing (published) and have also undertaken research for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. I’ve worked with multiple internal and external stakeholders in developing and completing housing assessments for sex offenders. I am currently practicing as a mediator in community mediation. With over 20 years’ experience in social work, I am a member of CORU and the IASW (Irish Association of Social Workers). My current work includes Special Guardianship and Fostering Assessments, Financial Assessments, Supervision and Mentoring and Social Reports for Court.