Paul Fitzpatrick

Independent Social Worker

 

 

 

This sheet tells you a little about me and the service that you can expect from me.

 

First of all, I am a registered social worker. That means that my name is on a list held by the General Social Care Council, which is an organisation that makes regulations (called a 'code of practice') that social workers must follow. Like all social workers I am bound by those regulations and that includes having to complete a satisfactory CRB check. I will keep all of our work together confidential, but please note that I will write a report which will be seen by other people. For instance, if you are involved with the Court, my report will be seen by the other parties in the proceedings, their solicitors and by the magistrates or the Judge.

 

If at any time you have any concerns about me or about my work please raise this with me or with the person who has arranged for me to work with you. I will do my best to resolve any issues that arise.

 

Secondly, you need to know a little about my background. I am a social worker with more than 30 years experience of working with families and I have two children of my own, now both grown up. In my last employment I worked with families who had become involved with the Courts. I am very aware of the effect that this can have on people and I know that you may not be feeling at your best if it is happening to you.

 

How I try to work with people: If it is decided that I am to work with you there is something that you should know: my responsibility is to the person who has commissioned me to work with you. If I am working with you because you are involved with the Court then my duty is to the Court. I will not be influenced by any one party to the proceedings.

 

Before I come to see you I will have read any background papers supplied to me by the person who has commissioned the work. I will then contact you by 'phone to arrange a time to visit you and at the same time I will want to make times for other visits, to observe contact for instance. If I have been asked to complete a parenting assessment I expect that we will see quite a lot of each other as I will want to spend around 20 hours in total with your family. I know that Court proceedings can make your life quite busy so I will want to fit in around your existing commitments.

 

I will work to a plan, which I will share with you when we first meet, and I will keep notes as we go along. I will always try to answer any questions that you have about the progress of our work. When I have completed my report I  will discuss it with you and I hope that, together, we will address any concerns that you may have.

 

Once I have sent my report to the person who arranged for it then that will be the end of my work with you. I will keep electronic copies of what I have written but for reasons of security I will not retain paper copies.

 

I hope that this is helpful, but if you have any questions do please ask the person who will arrange for the work to contact me.

 

With best wishes

 

Paul Fitzpatrick