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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.

Robert Forrester

Personal Information

Qualifications: BA Hons in Applied Social Studies; CQSW & DIPSW

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing and Consultancy

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Immigration and asylum seekers and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Contact supervision

Foreign Languages: English

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

Location: South East London

Email: rhf36@yahoo.com

Mobile: 07931 581279

Telephone: 07931 581279

Profile

Born in Jamaica but educated in UK , I am at ease working with clients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. I have worked in Residential Childrens Homes and after qualifying as SW I joined Hackney Children Services. This inner city experience helped develop strong assessment skills working with communities including Orthodox Jews, Turkish, S. Asians, West African, Eritreans, Caribbean, Irish, White British and Travelling families. I have addressed sexuality and gender issues. Worked for 9 Local Authorities & also Cafcass managing Children's Guardians in the Principal Registry. I was a manager at Windsor & Maidenhead and at Redbridge Children's Trust as a Quality Assurance Officer. I am interested and have undertaken training in so-called parental alienation. A good listener my primary task is to protect vulnerable children.

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

Philippa Hector

Personal Information

Qualifications: Expert witness certificate (2010), Post Qualifying Child Care Award (2006), Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Social Work – Child Care (2006), PQA Part 1 (2003), Dipsw (2001), Diploma in Higher Education (Social Work) (2001)

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, Immigration and asylum seekers, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: English

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

Location: Somerset

Email: Pippa@HectorISW.co.uk

Mobile: 0789 6255180

Telephone: 0789 6255180

Profile

Pippa Hector started Hector Independent Assessments in March 2008 having worked in the statutory sector for over 10 years in Child Protection and Mental Health. She quickly gained a reputation for in-depth assessments and as demand has grown established a small team of Social Workers who offer a comprehensive Parenting and Kinship Assessment service. We have developed a framework for parenting assessments that gives a flexible range from snap shots of parents knowledge to in depth assessments over 12 weeks to analyse not only parental understanding but ability to change patterns of behaviour and promote the needs of their children.

Eibhlin McNamara

Personal Information

Qualifications: B.Soc., University College Cork (2006), M.A. Counselling & Psychotherapy (Munster Technological University) (2022), B.A. Counselling & Psychotherapy (Munster Technological University) (2020), Professional Diplomas: Leadership & Management; Project Ma

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Age Assessments, Alcohol and drug misuse, Autism, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Online abuse and Grooming and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Clinical supervision; Irish mental health, education and child protection systems (HSE/Tusla) - in depth knowledge

Foreign Languages: Gaelic

Regions available: Ireland

Location: Ireland, remote / virtual assessments nationwide; onsite primarily Munster, travel elsewhere by agreement

Email: eibhlinmcn@gmail.com

Mobile: 0863822263

Telephone: 0863822263

Profile

Independent Social Worker providing court-directed, evidence-based assessments and expert witness reports. I specialise in Section 47 assessments under the Child Care Act 1991 and Section 32(1)(a) and 32(1)(b) child-focused reports for private law proceedings. My work covers parenting capacity, attachment and sibling relationships, children’s needs, contact and risk. Experienced in interviewing children and adults, analysing complex safeguarding information and giving oral evidence. I deliver clear, timely reports with trauma‑informed practice and strong multi‑agency collaboration.

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.

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.

Tony Macklin

Personal Information

Qualifications: Bsc(Hons) Sociology, PG Diploma in SW, Teaching

Services Offered: Assessments, Expert Witness and Teaching / Mentoring

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, Immigration and asylum seekers, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues

Other Expertise: Northern Ireland Practice Teacher Award

Regions available: Ireland

Location: Belfast

Email: t.maclan@outlook.com

Profile

I have 34 years experience as a qualified Social Worker. I provide Independent Parenting Capacity Assessments and Kinship Assessments in Ireland and the UK. I have provided Guardian ad Litem Assessments to the Family Proceedings Court, Family Care Centre and High Court in Belfast since 1996 and District Court and High Court in Dublin since 2006. I also provide reports for legal proceedings in respect of children/adults abused in care and unaccompanied minors. I have acted as a Practice Teacher for several students and tutored on the Courtroom Skills Module for the Social Work Course at Queens University Belfast.

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.