Upholding Children's Rights Through Expert, Compassionate Social Work
From expert witness work to tailored assessments, I help protect children’s rights with clarity, care, and compassion.
Trusted child and family assessments with care
Tailored social work services grounded in empathy, expertise, and a child-focused approach—supporting families through complex decisions with care and clarity.
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
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’ve referred several families to Niall for cross-border placements. His legal expertise and sensitivity to emotional complexities have been invaluable. He works closely with all parties to secure the best outcomes for children."
Rachel Taylor, Family Law Solicitor, Peterborough City Council's recommended solicitor
"Niall Rynne's expertise in cross-border placements has been invaluable to our team. His ability to navigate complex cases and provide practical solutions has been impressive."
Mark Stevenson, Service Manager, Bristol City 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 Patel, 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 Lee, 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 Taylor, Family Law Solicitor, Peterborough City Council
