About Guiding Families

Expert Social Work, Delivered with Care

Independent, evidence-based support for families, courts, and Local Authorities — rooted in 20 years of frontline experience.

Carly, founder of Guiding Families

Carly

Founder & Independent Social Worker

Guiding Families Ltd provides independent social work services that prioritise the needs of children and families.

My name is Carly, and I am a qualified social worker with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families. Throughout my career, I have worked for Hampshire and West Sussex County Councils, bringing warmth, professionalism, and deep expertise to every family I assist.

My background includes safeguarding work, mentoring social workers, and helping teams grow, all with a focus on wellbeing, fairness, and doing what's right for children. After eight years in frontline safeguarding, I decided to work independently to offer flexible, thoughtful support that aligns with my values of integrity, empathy, and clarity.

I specialise in parenting, kinship, viability, and specialist assessments, and I am trained in ParentAssess and CUBAS. My reports are clear, evidence-based, and designed to aid families and professionals in making informed decisions.

Families and colleagues describe me as reliable, approachable, and solution-focused. I am fully registered with Social Work England, insured, and available for freelance assessments across Hampshire, Southampton, and Portsmouth. Whether you're a parent, carer, legal professional, or agency looking for independent social work services, I am here to provide compassionate support that puts children first.

What Guides Everything I Do

Integrity

Honest, transparent practice in every assessment and report, no matter how complex the situation.

Empathy

Every family is treated with dignity and compassion. I understand how stressful assessments can be.

Clarity

Clear, jargon-free reports that genuinely help families and professionals make informed decisions.

Child-Focused

The welfare of children is always at the centre of every piece of work I undertake.

Qualifications & Accreditations

BASW Independent MemberBritish Association of Social Workers
Social Work EnglandSocial Work England
Qualified Social Worker — Social Work England registered
Trained in ParentAssess (parenting capacity assessment framework)
Trained in CUBAS (cognitive underpinning of behaviour assessment)
20+ years experience with Hampshire & West Sussex County Councils
Fully insured for independent freelance practice
Experienced in Section 7,  Form F, and kinship assessments

Ready to Work Together?

Whether you're a parent, solicitor, or Local Authority, I'm here to help. Get in touch for a confidential conversation.