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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.

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.

Karen Gorbutt

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

Qualifying 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 abuse post for 7 years. I have worked independently since 2021 as a NYAS caseworker in Rule 16.4 Guardian proceedings, as a Section 7 report 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. I was awarded the Certificate in Chairing a Domestic Homicide Review in November 2025.

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.

Nicci Levy

Personal Information

Qualifications: Diploma in Social Work, BA(hons) Child and Adolescent Studies, PQ1

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

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

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: South East and South West

Location: South East, Kent

Email: nicci.levy@avocetisw.co.uk

Mobile: 7818415633

Telephone: 7818415633

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.

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.

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

Margaret Henry

Personal Information

Qualifications: DipSW, BA in Social Work

Services Offered: Assessments, Complaints and Expert Witness

Specialism: Cultural issues, Mental Health and Pams Assessments

Foreign Languages: Bengali

Regions available: London, North West and Yorkshire & Humber

Location: Manchester

Email: margarethenry@aol.com

Mobile: 07905 406712

Telephone: 07905 406712

Profile

I specialize in Cultural Assessments for the African Caribbean Community. I am, PAMS trained and will be undertaking Parent Assessments. I have twenty-one years of post qualified experience undertaking child protection investigation and am available to undertake complaints and investigations.

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

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.