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: 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.
Personal Information
Qualifications: DipSw; BA (Hons) Community Care Management
Services Offered:
Assessments and Consultancy
Specialism:
Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
Training
Foreign Languages:
English
Regions available:
East Midlands, Eastern and International
Location:
South East
Email:
mpassessmentsltd@gmail.com
Mobile:
07714 706972
Telephone:
07714 706972
Profile
Qualified for 14 years, with 12 years frontline child protection and Court proceedings work including Team Manager roles in a Local Authority. Most recently I have been the PLO manager whilst providing staff training around court proceedings and involved in several High Court cases. I have completed Fostering assessments (Form F and reg 24) sibling assessments, parenting assessments (including for parents with addition, domestic abuse and mental health concerns), viability assessments for connected persons as well as working as a Cafcass Associate particularly in private law proceedings (Section 7 reports).
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).
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.
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. CSW / CQSW
Services Offered:
Assessments
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
Assessments/Reviews of local authority services
Foreign Languages:
English
Regions available:
North West, South West, Wales and West Midlands
Location:
South West
Email:
clare_mowbray@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile:
07771 823 742
Telephone:
07771 823 742
Profile
Clare Mowbray is a self employed Children’s Guardian/Family Court Adviser and Independent practitioner and practice teacher. Clare’s Cafcass work is within Gloucestershire, the independent practice is outside Gloucestershire. Independent work includes assessments in public and private law cases of parents and grandparents etc, assessments of prospective foster cases and file reviews in respect of social services provision. The training of Guardians, social workers and other professionals is carried out through Cafcass and independent assignments. Clare has a particular interest in mental health and adoption issues and markets her own report writing skills course for social workers.
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
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.
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.