About Guiding Families

Guiding Families Ltd. provides independent social work services that prioritize 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 with 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 specialize 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 offer compassionate support that puts children first.