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: 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
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: 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: Bsc(Hons) Sociology, PG Diploma in SW, Teaching
Services Offered:
Assessments, Expert Witness and Teaching / Mentoring
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Autism, Immigration and asylum seekers, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Other Expertise:
Northern Ireland Practice Teacher Award
Regions available:
Ireland
Location:
Belfast
Email:
t.maclan@outlook.com
Profile
I have 34 years experience as a qualified Social Worker. I provide Independent Parenting Capacity Assessments and Kinship Assessments in Ireland and the UK. I have provided Guardian ad Litem Assessments to the Family Proceedings Court, Family Care Centre and High Court in Belfast since 1996 and District Court and High Court in Dublin since 2006. I also provide reports for legal proceedings in respect of children/adults abused in care and unaccompanied minors. I have acted as a Practice Teacher for several students and tutored on the Courtroom Skills Module for the Social Work Course at Queens University Belfast.
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/
Personal Information
Qualifications: Diploma in Social Work, BA(hons) Child and Adolescent Studies, PQ1
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Foreign Languages:
English
Regions available:
South East and South West
Location:
South East, Kent
Email:
nicci.levy@avocetisw.co.uk
Mobile:
7818415633
Telephone:
7818415633
Profile
My background is in residential social care settings, working with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties and then I went on to specialise in child protection; working in local authorities as a Social Worker, Deputy Manager and Independent Reviewing Officer. Practising as an ISW since 2006 I undertake assessments for the Court in public and private law proceedings including PAMS Assessments. I carry out the role of Investigating Officer and Independent Person in the Stage Two complaint process as well as Stage Three Review Panel Member and I chair Foster Carer Annual Reviews of Approval. CV available on request.
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.