Isabelle Swirles

The role of an independent advocate is to support and assist a person to communicate their views, wishes and feelings. This may be encouraging them to voice their opinions or assisting their involvement in the court process. An independent advocate is...

The guideline to whether children should give evidence in care proceedings is set out in the case of Re W (2010) which is now the leading authority on this issue. The considerations that are outlined in Re W in deciding whether a child should give evidence...

A sibling assessment will evaluate the bond and relationship between siblings. A sibling can be defined as a person whom you share at least one biological parent with. An assessment will consider the sibling dynamic, and the impact separation would have on...

PAMS stands for ‘ parenting assessment manual software ’ . It was an assessment used with parents or carers that have learning difficulties or additional needs. Its aim is to assess the parent ’ s capacity and to support them in...

A Special Guardianship Order is an order that can appoint one or more individuals to be a child ’ s ‘ Special Guardian ’ . They are typically made when a parent or carer can no longer care and is made pursuant to the Children Act 1989 and...