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.
Personal Information
Qualifications: BSc Sociology, CQSW
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing and Expert Witness
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse and Mental Health
Foreign Languages:
English, French and Italian
Regions available:
Eastern, International, London and South East
Location:
Surrey
Email:
alison_austin_woodman@yahoo.co.uk
Profile
My early career was spent working at a psychiatric hospital and then as a social worker in a busy London Borough where I was a Fostering and Adoption Officer. I have been a Children’s Guardian since 1984 and more recently I have been writing independent reports as an expert witness in family proceedings. I have also carried out many Home Study Assessments for both Inter-Country and Domestic Adoptions and have experience of guiding applicants through the Court process and preparing Rule 29 Reports.
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: 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.
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: 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: BSc (Hons), MSc in SW, CQSW, Practice Teaching Award
Services Offered:
Assessments, Chairing, Complaints, Consultancy and Expert Witness
Specialism:
Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs, Mental Health, Online abuse and Grooming and Sexual abuse issues
Foreign Languages:
English
Regions available:
International, London and South East
Location:
Surrey
Email:
resolvesocialwork@gmail.com
Mobile:
07504 163211
Telephone:
07504 163211
Profile
I am an Independent Social Worker and Social Work Consultant with nearly 30 years experience of practice and management in social care services, primarily in local authority child protection work. I have worked in various teams - assessment, care planning and court work included - and dealt with a wide range of risk issues for children. I began working independently in 2016. I have well developed assessment, care planning, supervisory and report writing skills. My interests are in improving the effectiveness and quality of services and ensuring good assessment, planning and long-term outcomes for children and families.
Personal Information
Qualifications: CQSW, Dip SW, Licensed SW (Idaho, USA)
Services Offered:
Assessments and Expert Witness
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Domestic violence, Learning difficulties / Special needs and Pams Assessments
Other Expertise:
British Sign Language and Judaism/Jewish culture (some knowledge)
Regions available:
East Midlands, South West, Wales and West Midlands
Location:
Bristol/South West
Email:
charlesplummeriswp@gmail.com
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
Personal Information
Qualifications: MSC Social Work Studies and Diploma in Social Work
Services Offered:
Assessments, Consultancy, Expert Witness, Teaching / Mentoring and Therapy / Counselling / Direct work
Specialism:
Adoption and Fostering, Alcohol and drug misuse, Allegations of parental alienation, Domestic violence, Female Genital Mutilation, Forced marriages, Mental Health and Sexual abuse issues
Regions available:
London and South East
Location:
London
Email:
angelaadams99@icloud.com
Profile
I am an Independent Social Worker and expert witness with over 30 years’ post-qualifying experience in Cafcass, the Probation Service, and independent practice. I specialise in family law proceedings, safeguarding, and domestic abuse, with extensive High Court and international expertise. My background includes adoption, fostering, Special Guardianship, and complex risk assessments. A former Service Manager and High Court Team member with Cafcass, I bring nationally recognised expertise, including award-winning work with children and families. I provide clear, evidence-based assessments and oral evidence, underpinned by a relational, trauma-informed approach that ensures children’s voices and safety remain central.