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WELCOME
Welcome to RG Independent Social Work Services
Specialist Social Work Consultancy | Independent Assessments | Expert Witness Services
Welcome, I’m Rachel Gavin, a Senior Social Work Consultant and Independent Expert Witness with over 20 years of experience in social care, including more than a decade as a Registered Social Worker.
My professional background spans statutory adults' and children's social care, with extensive experience in adult learning disabilities, mental health, safeguarding, complex care arrangements and supporting neurodivergent individuals and families.
Today, I provide independent assessments, expert witness services and specialist consultancy across England and Wales, working with adults, children, young people and families, as well as solicitors, local authorities, NHS organisations and other professionals. Whether you are seeking an independent assessment, expert evidence for legal proceedings or specialist advice on a complex social care matter, RG Independent Social Work Services provides an experienced, professional and independent approach.
Social Care Wales and Social Work England Registered.
BASW Registered for Independent Social Work Practitioners.
Independent Social Care Assessments – Adults, Children and Young People
I provide independent social care assessments, specialist consultancy and expert witness reports concerning adults, children and young people with complex care and support needs, particularly those who are neurodivergent.
With over 20 years of experience in social care, including more than a decade as a Registered Social Worker, my professional background spans statutory adult learning disability services, adult mental health, children's disability services, safeguarding, transition services and complex multidisciplinary care arrangements.
My experience working across both adults' and children's services provides a comprehensive understanding of social care needs throughout the lifespan, including the interaction between neurodevelopmental differences, mental health, learning disabilities, communication, sensory processing, executive functioning, family circumstances and environmental demands.
I have extensive experience undertaking statutory and independent assessments under the Care Act 2014, Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, Children Act 1989 and Mental Capacity Act 2005, alongside assessments concerning carers' needs, safeguarding, care planning and the development of specialist support arrangements.
My expert witness experience includes the Court of Protection, Family Court, High Court and First-tier Tribunal (SEND), providing independent social work evidence in proceedings involving adults, children, young people and parents with neurodevelopmental differences and complex needs.
Within the Court of Protection, my work includes mental capacity assessments, best-interests considerations, residence, care and support arrangements, independent living, safeguarding and property and financial affairs. Within Family Court proceedings, I undertake specialist assessments involving neurodivergent parents and children, including parenting capacity, disability-related support needs and safeguarding considerations.
I also undertake independent social care assessments to inform First-tier Tribunal (SEND) proceedings, drawing upon my wider experience in adult and children's services to consider social care needs, EHCP provision, transition planning and preparation for adulthood.
Alongside assessment work, I provide specialist consultancy, case coordination and service development for local authorities, NHS organisations, Integrated Care Boards, legal professionals and families. This includes complex cases where existing services are unable to meet identified needs, care arrangements have broken down or bespoke support packages are required.
My practice is grounded in neuro-affirming, trauma-informed, rights-based and evidence-informed social work, with particular emphasis on ensuring that disability-related needs are appropriately understood, safeguarding decisions are proportionate and recommendations are realistic, lawful and individually tailored.
I bring together extensive frontline and statutory experience, specialist knowledge of neurodivergence and independent expert witness practice to provide balanced professional assessments and practical recommendations for adults, children, young people and their families.
Services
Offering comprehensive social work services, including Family Court work, SEND assessments, mental capacity evaluations, and court of protection support tailored to individual needs.
Parenting Assessments
We conduct thorough parenting assessments, including Cubas, Parent Assess and MALD, ensuring a holistic approach to family dynamics and child welfare.
Commissioning
Our expertise in complex commissioning and CHC assessments helps navigate disputes and reviews, ensuring the best outcomes for clients.
Support
Dedicated to providing independent practice, CHC assessments, we facilitate section 117 and CHC interface work, prioritising client autonomy and informed decision-making, including case coordination where required.
Services
First-tier Tribunal (SEND) – Social Care Assessments for EHCPs
I provide independent social care assessments and expert reports to inform First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) proceedings, particularly where the social care elements of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are disputed or considered insufficient.
My assessments examine the child's or young person's social care needs, existing provision and unmet needs, including the support required for personal care, daily living, emotional regulation, independence, relationships, community participation and preparation for adulthood.
I consider whether appropriate social care assessments have been undertaken and provide evidence-based recommendations regarding provision that may need to be recorded within Sections H1 and H2 of an EHCP.
My experience across both adults' and children's statutory services is particularly valuable in cases involving transition to adulthood, where social care needs must be considered beyond education and in the context of longer-term independence and support.
Section 17 Children's Social Care Assessments – Children Act 1989
I undertake independent assessments under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, particularly involving children and young people with disabilities, neurodevelopmental differences and complex care and support needs.
These assessments consider the child's developmental, emotional, social and functional needs, the impact of disability on daily living, family circumstances, parental caring responsibilities and the support required to safeguard and promote the child's welfare.
Recommendations may include care and support packages, direct payments, short breaks, personal assistance, community access, specialist interventions and coordinated support between children's social care, education and health services.
Care Act 2014 – Adult Social Care Assessments
I undertake independent adult social care needs assessments under the Care Act 2014, including assessments involving autistic adults, people with ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health needs and complex disabilities.
Assessments consider the individual's ability to achieve specified daily living outcomes, the impact of their needs on wellbeing, their personal circumstances, existing support arrangements and potential eligibility for care and support.
Areas explored may include personal care, nutrition, maintaining a habitable home, relationships, accessing the community, education, employment, managing daily routines and maintaining independence.
I provide recommendations concerning care and support planning, personal budgets, direct payments, supported living, personal assistance, specialist care arrangements and multidisciplinary support.
I also undertake assessments concerning young people transitioning into adult services, including consideration of future care and support needs.
Services
Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 Assessments.
Drawing upon my statutory social work experience in Wales, I have extensive knowledge of the Welsh legislative framework, including assessment of care and support needs, eligibility considerations, wellbeing outcomes, prevention, safeguarding and the responsibilities of local authorities.
My assessments consider the individual's personal outcomes, barriers to achieving wellbeing, strengths, available support networks and the care and support required to meet identified needs.
This includes assessments involving adults and children with learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, mental health difficulties, complex disabilities and significant care needs.
I also consider the needs of unpaid carers, including parent carers, and the impact of caring responsibilities on individual and family wellbeing.
Recommendations may address direct payments, short breaks, domiciliary care, supported living, specialist provision, community participation, care coordination and the development or review of care and support plans.
"It was an absolute pleasure meeting with you tonight. From start to finish, you've been attuned to the needs of my client and pulled together a successful outcome quickly and sufficiently. An outcome achieved because of the attention to detail and a water tight report. Thank you for everything. We look forward to working with you again"
Rachel Sealey Solicitor/Community Care Law
" I was impressed by your precision regarding assessing the capacity and communication needs of xxxxx. I really think you should be training professionals and I have made this suggestion to your training department".
David: Independent Inspector.
"Thank you so much for your time and effort on my sons case, after all these years of assessments, we now have the support we need since you've assessed ××××××××. I wish we'd met you sooner but good things come to those that wait! Thank you so much ×××××××.
Anonymous
" You definitely know how to advocate for people! I loved observing you in action and I'm taking notes!!"
Sandy Williams
" I found Rachel to have an in depth understanding of my clients needs. I felt like I was there when reading the assessment, I could of been the person concerned, and was living their story. This concluded in very precise and thorough recommendations and it gave me that light bulb moment! I also had goosebumps!"
Casey Johnson
" Whenever I have a concern, in my head I'm singing that song, 'who yah gonna call, ghost busters', apart from I'm actually singing 'Who yah gonna call, Rachel Gavin. Always there with your backpack, paper and pens and a damn good positive readiness about you!. Don't ever change, not that you will".
Rhian John
" Thank you, thank you, thank you. I couldn't have done this without you. I think your the only social worker I've met whose left an entire room wondering whats just happened ha ha. Your certainly a fire cracker when you need to be. Brilliant! Good luck in your new part time venture".
Ant Mahoney
"I've learnt so much from you, you've helped me develop a fantastic staff team, they're all using your strategies and there's such a motivated team ready to rock the world. You're assessment work with my lovely individuals has been very professional and compassionate. I'm a true fan of your work, abilities and all round positive and can do attitude to everything you come across, its not been an easy journey and the emotions must of taken its toll, but stress motivates you, thats been a pleasure to witness".
George Hill
All great, always smiling and cheery!
Riley Jones
Dear Rachel
I want to thank you sincerely, once again, for your excellent Report – which ‘blew me away’. The deep understanding you clearly have of the social care requirements / principles, autism and how that affects D in particular is extremely impressive. We are very lucky to have you on board!
Idhren