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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/

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

Lauren Doyle

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 over ten years ago, I have gained a range of experience within social work in Ireland, Wales, and England. Alongside my practice, I have conducted research achieving a Doctorate in Social Work. 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. Through my employment with Cafcass, I developed expertise in private law family court proceedings, comprehensively analysing family issues under the Child Arrangements Programme and within the High Court. I am also licensed to provide CUBAS parenting assessments focused toward families where Care Proceedings may be necessary. I can be relied upon to provide expert written and oral evidence.

Julia Isikwe Hughes

Personal Information

Qualifications: Certificate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Post Graduate Diploma in social work, CQSW, Advanced Award in Social Work, CCETSW Practice Teaching Award, Post Graduate Diploma Advanced Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

Services Offered: Assessments, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Autism, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Playtherapy and Sexual abuse issues

Foreign Languages: German

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

Location: South West London

Email: julia_hughes_gal@hotmail.com

Mobile: 07770 347660

Telephone: 07770 347660

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.

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.

Naomi Ruben

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

Eugene McCarthy

Personal Information

Qualifications: B SS CQSW Mediator (MFI)

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering and Immigration and asylum seekers

Foreign Languages: English

Regions available: Ireland

Location: Ireland

Email: irishsocialwork@pm.me

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).

Sophie Latham

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) – Psychology: University of Kent – 2008. BA (Hons) – Social Worker: The Open University – 2013. Currently studying a Masters degree at Staffordshire University (not specifically related to Social Work)

Services Offered: Assessments and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work

Specialism: Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism and Domestic violence

Other Expertise: Domestic violence / abuse

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

Location: Kent, London

Email: sophielatham121@gmail.com

Profile

I have undertaken a vast number of Section 7 reports and also been appointed as a Children’s Guardian under rule 16.4. I have extensive experience giving evidence in court proceedings. I am committed to delivering the best possible service to children and families, whilst undertaking thorough assessments of risk. I have been directly involved in transfer of residence cases when significant concerns are raised about the inability of one parent to promote the relationship between the child and the other parent. I have experience working with young people with ASD, as I worked in a ASD unit of a school during my Psychology degree.

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.