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What I do... |
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...I am an independent social work consultant,
having extensive experience in 'mainstream' practice, and also as a
legal practitioner in social welfare law. Until the end of January 2010, I
worked, on a part-time basis, in the Public Law Team at
Ridley & Hall, a leading
and innovative law firm in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. I
have experience, acquired during my thirty years in social work practice, in
working on complex cases which require decisive but highly-sensitive
decision-making at the conclusion of the assessment or intervention
process. Having lived in various locations in Yorkshire all my life, I moved to
Bristol in early August 2010. 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 Lower-Tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability. 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. I undertake assessments of 'children in need' in a wide variety of circumstances. I am frequently asked to present seminars and workshops, locally and regionally. The work I am asked to undertake, especially by instructing solicitors often concerns 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.
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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 |