What I do...   

     Core Assessment     Community Care   Poor practice     Dispute resolution    Training     Publications
 
...I currently practice both as an independent social work consultant and as a legal practitioner in social welfare law. On a part-time basis, I am Team Leader of the Community Care and Education Law Team at Ridley & Hall, a leading and innovative public law firm in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.    

In addition to my social work expertise, I hold post-graduate qualifications in Education Law.  This background means that I am extremely well placed to understand the implications of, for example, the workings of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. I regularly act on behalf of parents appealing to the SENDisT.  In addition, I am frequently asked to consider the implications for post-school provision for disabled teenagers and young adults. 

I also deliver training on a range of issues concerning professional practice, especially in relation to professional social work and service organisation duties to clients.  I run workshops for parents and/or service users, with "problem solving" as a key element in such sessions.

In conjunction with my work at Ridley & Hall, Solicitors, I frequently am asked to present seminars and workshops, locally and regionally. 

The work I am asked to undertake, especially by instructing solicitors often concerns complex and seemingly intractable problems - I am particularly interested in work which involves 'problem solving', in order to effect as positive an outcome as possible for each of the parties.

 
In terms of my social work practice, I am regularly instructed by solicitors and others to:

∙ conduct Core Assessments of Children in Need

∙ conduct Assessments of Disabled Adults

∙ “problem-solve” in complex disputes, often between local authorities and clients

∙ analyse alleged poor practice in social work services, including abuse within the care system

I am willing to accept instructions as a Single Joint Expert, and am familiar with the range of implications that arise in the giving of written and oral evidence before the High Court and its associated Courts.  I accept instructions currently from leading firms of solicitors in England, Scotland and Wales.

If you would like to download my resume, please click here

If you would like contact information, please click here

Please note that because, until July 2008, I am undergoing intensive medical treatment, I am unable to accept new referrals until September 2008.  I will, in the meanwhile, deal with e-mail and telephone enquiries, and will be happy to make provisional arrangements for work which will commence in late summer.  Thank you for your patience and understanding in the meanwhile.