Independent social work services
Expert support for families
Guiding Families provides a comprehensive range of independent social work assessments, reports, and observations — delivered with integrity, clarity, and a child-focused approach.
How we can help
Whether you are a legal professional, Local Authority or family member, Guiding Families offers independent, evidence-based social work services across the South West and beyond. Every piece of work is carried out personally by Carly, a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience.
Parenting assessments
A thorough, independent assessment of a parent's capacity to meet their child's needs — now and in the future.
Parenting assessments explore the strengths and difficulties of a parent or carer in relation to their child's welfare. Carly draws on direct observation, interviews, and information from the professionals supporting the family to produce a balanced, evidence-based report that assists the court or local authority in decision-making. Carly is trained to complete specialist assessments such as CUBAS and ParentAssess.
For: Solicitors, parents, local authorities, and courts
Sibling assessments
Assessing the nature and quality of sibling relationships to inform placement and contact decisions.
Where siblings are separated or placement decisions need to consider sibling bonds, a sibling assessment provides the Local Authority and court with a clear picture of the relationships involved, the impact of separation, and recommendations that keep the children's best interests central.
For: Courts, local authorities, and legal teams
Section 7 reports
Court-directed welfare and investigation reports prepared to the highest professional standard.
Section 7 reports are welfare reports directed by the court under the Children Act 1989, providing recommendations on arrangements for a child's upbringing. A Section 7 report is ordered when the court needs independent evidence before deciding child arrangements. It is used in disputes about where a child lives, contact arrangements, or when safeguarding concerns exist.
For: Courts and legal teams, parents in private proceedings
Fostering assessments
Comprehensive fostering assessments for prospective foster carers.
Form F (also known as a Prospective Foster Carer Report) is a detailed assessment of individuals or couples wishing to become foster carers. Carly conducts thorough home visits, interviews, and checks to produce a report that meets the standards required by fostering services and panels.
For: Fostering services, prospective foster carers, and local authorities
Kinship assessments
Assessing the suitability of family members or friends to care for a child long-term.
When a child cannot remain with their parents, kinship care — with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends — is often the preferred option. Kinship assessments evaluate the proposed carer's capacity, motivation, and ability to meet the child's needs, including their ability to promote the child's identity and maintain appropriate family relationships.
For: Local authorities, courts, and kinship carers
Local authority visits
Independent visits to children in care on behalf of local authorities.
Guiding Families can undertake statutory and non-statutory visits to children looked after by local authorities, providing independent oversight and a child-centred perspective. Reports are prepared following each visit and shared with the commissioning authority.
For: Local authorities
Supervised contact
Safe, professionally supervised contact sessions between children and their families.
Supervised contact provides a neutral, safe environment for children to spend time with parents or other family members where direct supervision is required. Sessions are managed professionally, with detailed records kept and reports provided to the commissioning party.
For: Courts, solicitors, local authorities, and families
Not sure which service you need?
Carly is happy to talk through your situation and advise on the right approach.
How it works
Get in touch
Contact Carly by phone or email to discuss your requirements. She offers a free 20 minute consultation where she will advise on the most appropriate service and provide a clear outline of timescales and fees.
Instruction & agreement
Once instructed, Carly will confirm the scope of work in writing, agree access arrangements, and begin gathering the information needed to complete the assessment or report.
Assessment & report
Carly conducts all direct work personally — visits, observations, and interviews — before preparing a thorough, evidence-based report delivered within the agreed timescale.
Ready to discuss your case?
Carly is happy to have an initial 20 minute conversation about your requirements with no obligation. Get in touch today to find out how Guiding Families can help.