Personal Information
Qualifications: Masters in Social Work, Psychology Degree, VIG Practitioner, L2 & 3 Counselling
Services Offered:
Assessments, Expert Witness and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Forced marriages, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Pams Assessments and Sexual abuse issues
Regions available:
London, South East and South West
Location:
West Sussex
Email:
paula.pettit@eastsussex.gov.uk
Profile
I am a Social Worker with 19 years’ experience in children’s services. This includes several years at SWIFT Specialist Family Service where I specialised in domestic abuse, attachment and learning disability. I have extensive experience in specialised risk and parenting assessments, special guardianship assessments and providing expert opinion in family courts. I have worked independently since 2021 and been instructed from local authorities, private fostering agencies, and independent social work agencies. I have a particular interest in domestic abuse, non-accidental injuries, attachment and learning disability. Also have some experience of working with different cultures including Afghan and Pakistani.
Personal Information
Qualifications: BSc Psychology, PG Diploma and MSc in Social Work
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
CPD Trainer, offering online and bespoke training to professionals including: Working with families following CSA/E; Understanding Trauma; CSA/E and it's impact. I also offer workshops to young people in relation to Healthy Relationships.
Regions available:
Ireland
Location:
Derry, N Ireland
Email:
shconsultancy19@gmail.com
Profile
I was employed by NSPCC in Derry from 2004-2021, initially as a practitioner, then Team Manager, before becoming Service Manager in 2018, specialising throughout in Sexual Abuse recovery work, but also working with families in which there had been domestic abuse. NPSCC made the Service Manager post redundant in late 2021, at which time I became an Independent Therapeutic Social Worker. I am experienced in developing and delivering training in all aspects of this work to statutory and voluntary organisations, and offer training online, I accept referrals from all agencies as well as families/self referrals.
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.
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.
Personal Information
Qualifications: Msc in Social Policy and Social Work Studies; DipSW Social Work Diploma. Also registered on the professional body of SWs in Italy.
Services Offered:
Assessments, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Immigration and asylum seekers, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
Parental Coordination / Child-Inclusive Mediation services tailored to both Italian and English-speaking families residing in the UK or Italy, and in cross-border cases involving both countries.
Foreign Languages:
French and Italian
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern, London, Scotland, South East, South West, Wales and West Midlands
Location:
UK/Italy
Email:
angelarusso.ituk@gmail.com
Telephone:
+44 (0)7957381927;
Profile
As a bilingual (Italian/English) social worker registered in UK and Italy, I bring over 25 years of experience in social and criminal justice. I specialize in cross-border assessments between the UK and Italy, including Special Guardianship & Connected Person, Kinship, Viability, and Parenting Assessments. My experience covers navigating complex issues and be-spoke support in cross-border kinship care. With a background as a Family Court Advisor for Cafcass and a Probation Officer (in the UK and equivalent in Italy), I have developed particular interest and strength in addressing challenges related to alcohol/drug misuse, mental health, domestic violence, parental conflict, alienation allegations, sexual abuse, and Immigration/asylum. Based primarily in Italy, I collaborate with UK Local Authorities and Italian Social Services to facilitate transitions from the UK to Italy, arrange post-placement support, and secure legal permanency for children with kinship carers in Italy. Additionally, I work as a court expert with high-conflict bilingual families, in the Italian family courts and participate in conferences and training, that contribute to social work education in Italy.
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: BA (1st equiv.), NYU; Master Social Work (MSW), New York; MA Psychosocial Studies (distinction), Birkbeck College; MA Art (distinction), Central St Martins; PGcert Social Work Education, Goldsmiths
Services Offered:
Assessments, Complaints, Consultancy, Expert Witness 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:
London, South East and South West
Location:
London
Email:
jeffrey@valuedsocialwork.co.uk
Profile
I have more than 20 years’ experience as a qualified social worker, including 10+ years as an independent expert witness (ISW) in the UK family court. I have held social work and management roles in Local Authorities; acted as a children’s Guardian and family court advisor for Cafcass; and I regularly teach social work at several London universities, and for the NHS at the Tavistock Clinic. Previously in New York City, I gained experience in issues of mental health, substance misuse and trauma as a mental health clinician in the Rikers Island jail facility; in a child and adolescent psychiatric unit; and crisis work following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As an ISW I complete Section 7 reports, parenting assessments, risk assessments, supervise and assess contact, and offer consultations for parents in private law proceedings. I have filed reports and given evidence in every family court in greater London and many across the country and my work has been positively evaluated in two published court judgements.
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: 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: BPhil, P.T.A. N.O.P.T. PQ1, DIPSW, DIPHE, NVQ D32/33.
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
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern, Ireland, London, North East, North West, Scotland, South East, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber
Location:
West Midlands
Email:
noelbeckett@hotmail.co.uk
Mobile:
7815584173
Telephone:
7815584173
Profile
I have over twenty years of social work experience offering a range of assessment, programmes and other independent social work services focused towards families where there are child protection concerns and/or where Care Proceedings have commenced or are being considered. I offer a child focused professional service to solicitors, local authorities and independent organizations. In addition I provide training and consultancy throughout the UK, in areas such as Professional Coaching, and Supervision, domestic violence, safeguarding, risk assessment and analysis, drug and alcohol abuse, I am able to provide assessments to parents with a learning disability am also able to provide.