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Helena Ware

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.

Surinder Kumari

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

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

Robert Forrester

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.

Sophie Latham

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.

Charles Plummer

Profile

I have 35 years’ experience of social work practice with children and families in a variety of settings, encompassing statutory children & families work within local authorities, residential work, family counselling, education, and latterly fostering and adoption. I have held the positions of Senior Practitioner, Practice Supervisor, and Team Manager, and have worked as a Children’s Guardian since 2005. I can undertake assessment of parents who have additional needs/challenges/vulnerabilities, for example, mental health issues, substance misuse issues and learning disabilities. (Parent Assess trained) Section 7, Section 37, & Specific Issues Reports Special Guardianship/Kinship/Connected Carers Reports Sibling Together & Apart assessments

John Abdullah-Zadeh

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

Clare Mowbray

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.

Rukhsana Farooqi

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.