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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.

Clare Mowbray

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.

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.

Mary Hegarty

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.

Surinder Kumari

Personal Information

Qualifications: BA(Hons); CQSW;Diploma in Theology;PQAward in SW; Practice Teaching Award in SW; AA in SW; CPE Law

Services Offered: Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy 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: Pams

Foreign Languages: English and Punjabi

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

Location: West Midlands

Email: s.kumari@ind-assessor.co.uk

Mobile: 07395 565288

Telephone: 07792 060031

Profile

I have considerable experience of court processes and have undertaken numerous assessments for the courts on different aspects including Parenting, Friends and Family Assessments, Sibling attachment, Core Assessments, Social Work Assessments, Contact and Risk Assessments. Some of these have been complex pieces of work with families where there have been child deaths/torture, surrogacy and forced marriages. I am trained to undertake Parenting assessments using the PAMS assessment tool parents with learning difficulties and undertaken the teachings. I am passionate about working with families and presenting good quality assessments to assist the decision making process for children and their families.

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.

Patricia Sweeney

Personal Information

Qualifications: BSoc Sc; MSW; MSc Mental Health; MII Mediator

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

Specialism: Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Cultural issues, Domestic violence, Mental Health, Sexual abuse issues and Traveller / Roma Families

Other Expertise: Will supervise access visits; Housing assessments for sex offenders

Foreign Languages: Gaelic

Regions available: Ireland

Email: psweeney@swmc.ie

Profile

I have been a Senior Social Worker working in Ireland’s largest local Authority where I assisted individuals and families to live independently whilst encouraging safe and secure communities. During this time, I completed a Masters in Mental Health, with a particular focus on forensic mental health and housing (published) and have also undertaken research for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. I’ve worked with multiple internal and external stakeholders in developing and completing housing assessments for sex offenders. I am currently practicing as a mediator in community mediation. With over 20 years’ experience in social work, I am a member of CORU and the IASW (Irish Association of Social Workers). My current work includes Special Guardianship and Fostering Assessments, Financial Assessments, Supervision and Mentoring and Social Reports for Court.