Kinship Care Services—family, permanence, security & compassion for children.
ISW Niall Rynne Provides professional, end-to-end support for UK local authorities placing children in care across the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland—legally informed, coordinated with UK & Irish authorities, & underpinned by robust, evidence-based assessments with childrens best interests paramount.
Expert child & family assessments with compassion
Supporting UK local authorities with tailored social work in Ireland & Northern Ireland to secure the best outcomes for children.
Assessing whether a relative or close friend is suitable to take on the role of special guardian, with a focus on their capacity to meet the child’s emotional and physical needs long-term.
Connected Person Assessments
Evaluating the suitability of a family member or friend to care for a child who cannot live with their parents, including their relationship with the child and understanding of their history.
Parenting Capacity Assessments
Assessing a parent or carer’s ability to provide safe, consistent, and emotionally supportive care, including their understanding of the child’s developmental needs.
Fostering Assessments
Conducting thorough assessments of prospective foster carers through interviews, home visits, and background checks to ensure a safe and stable placement for children.
Adoption Assessments
Evaluating prospective adoptive parents’ readiness and capacity to meet a child’s needs, including emotional preparedness and understanding of the adoption process.
Expert Witness Services
Providing independent assessments, reports, and expert testimony in family court, particularly around parenting capacity and child welfare.
Niall Rynne
Independent Social Work Consultant CORU Registered No. SW00065 NISCC Registered No. 7038894
As an Independent Social Work Consultant based in the Republic of Ireland, I bring over 24 years of experience in social care and social work. I provide thorough assessments and court-appointed expert witness services, offering clear, well-informed reports shaped by humanistic principles. My approach is flexible and responsive, tailored to the unique needs of each client across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK.
My work is guided by Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and considered in all matters affecting them. This principle is central to my practice, particularly in assessments that have a direct impact on children’s lives. I remain dedicated to delivering reliable, high-quality support with care, discretion, and professionalism.
"On a recent case, Niall was instructed by a local authority to complete an ISW family member assessment and a parenting assessment. He was approachable, kept me updated, and communicated clearly when timescales had to shift. His assessments were thorough and timely, and he built strong relationships with those assessed, aiding the quality of the work. I would recommend Niall for future cases."
Locum Childcare Lawyer UK
I am a locum childcare lawyer practicing in England. On a recent case, Niall was instructed by a local authority to carry out an ISW family member assessment and also a parenting assessment. Niall was incredibly approachable from the very outset. He kept me regularly updated throughout the assessment period, which was very helpful and much appreciated. Niall was alive to court imposed timescales and due to circumstances beyond his control, timescales needed to be altered. However, Niall’s excellent open lines of communication enabled me to keep parties and the court up to date. The quality of the assessments completed were very good. Where additional questions were required, Niall provided comprehensive responses and in excellent timescales. It was very clear that Niall was able to build positive professional relationships with those being assessed, which I am sure assisted in obtaining the best possible information for assessment purposes. I would recommend Niall for future work.
Kaye
Locum Childcare Lawyer North Northamptonshire Council,
"Expert knowledge of Irish social services made a real difference in placing children with family in Ireland. Niall Rynne’s commitment to child welfare is evident throughout his work."
Karen Brown, Social Worker, Newcastle City Council
"Niall brings exceptional insight and professionalism to cross-border placements. His child-centred approach and ability to engage families and professionals make him a valued part of our team."
David, Team Manager, Birmingham City Council
"Niall supported our family through every step of placing our relative’s children with us. His guidance, efficiency, and dedication to the children’s welfare made all the difference."
Sarah, Approved Foster Carer, Leeds City Council
"I've referred several families to Niall for cross-border placements. His legal expertise and sensitivity to complex family dynamics consistently help achieve the best outcomes for children."
Rachel , Family Law Solicitor, Peterborough City Council
