INSIGHT ASSESSMENT SERVICES
Independent Social Work Assessments
for Safeguarding and Family Law
Professional, evidence-based assessments trusted by courts, solicitors and families.
Meet Melinda Enock
Melinda is an experienced Independent Social Worker with over 30 years’ professional practice in safeguarding, child protection and complex family work. She has worked extensively across statutory children’s services, CAFCASS/Children’s Guardian roles, and independent practice, building a strong reputation for clarity, integrity and balanced professional judgement.
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Melinda specialises in delivering high-quality assessments for public and private family law, including risk, parenting capacity, viability, SGO and sibling assessments. Her work is consistently commended by solicitors, courts and fellow professionals for its depth of analysis, clear reasoning and child-centred approach.
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Her practice is grounded in empathy, thoroughness and respect. Melinda is committed to ensuring children’s voices are heard, that risks are understood in context, and that every assessment supports safe, informed and sustainable decisions for families. She brings extensive knowledge, calm professionalism and a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to every case.
Melinda Enock
BA (Hons), CQSW, PGDip (Child Protection), AASW, MNAGALRO
Services Offered
Safeguarding Assessments
Objective, evidence based assessments focused on identifying risks, protective factors, and ensuring children’s safety
Viability Assessments
Early assessments determining whether family members are suitable, realistic options to care for a child.
Expert Witness Reports
Clear, balanced expert evidence for public and private law proceedings, trusted by courts and solicitors.
Parenting Capacity Assessments
Comprehensive evaluations of parenting strengths, challenges, and ability to meet children’s emotional and developmental needs
Special Guardianship (SGO) Assessments
Full statutory assessments of prospective special guardians, including capacity, motivation, support needs and long term viability.
Fostering & Adoption Assessments
Structured assessments of prospective foster carers or adopters, evaluating suitability, resilience and capacity to meet children’s needs.
Risk Assessments
Specialist assessments analysing concerns such as abuse, neglect, domestic abuse, substance misuse, or harmful behaviours.
Sibling Assessments
Relationship-focused assessments to understand sibling dynamics, attachment, and whether siblings should be placed together.
Professional Consultancy
Independent advice, case consultation and safeguarding guidance for legal professionals, agencies and social care teams.
Why Choose Melinda ?
Trusted Expertise
Over 30 years’ specialist exerience in safeguparding, risk assessment and family court social work.
Independent & Impartial
Balanced, transparent evaluations relied upon by courts, solicitors and local authorities.
Evidence Based Analysis
Structured, analytical reports, grounded in professional judgement that stand up to scrutiny.
Timely & Reliable
Assessments delivered within agreed timescales with responsive communication throughout.
Child-Centred Approach
•Every assessment prioritises the child’s voice, wellbeing and long-term safety.
Clarity
“Melinda’s reports are consistently clear, balanced and analytically strong. Her assessments demonstrate thorough evidence gathering and careful professional judgement, assisting the court to make well-informed decisions”
Children's Guardian
Professionalism
“I have always found Melinda to be sensible, reliable and highly professional. Her assessments are detailed and robust and her calm, respectful approach supports even the most challenging parents to engage meaningfully”
Solicitor
Insight
“Melinda brings exceptional insight into complex family dynamics. Her work is child-centred, meticulously prepared and presented with clarity that is greatly valued within proceedings”
Local Authority Social Worker
QUALIFICATIONS
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BA (Hons) Sociology – Birmingham City University
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CQSW – Certificate of Qualification in Social Work
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Advanced Award in Social Work
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Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection Studies – University of Leicester
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Over 30 years’ post-qualification experience in safeguarding, family law and children’s services.
MEMBERSHIP & REGISTRATIONS
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Registered Social Worker – Social Work England
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Member of NAGALRO (Professional Association for Children’s Guardians and independent Social Workers).
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Member, British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
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ICO Registered Data Controller
Contact Melinda
If you would like to discuss a case, make an enquiry or request an independent assessment, please feel free to get in touch.
+44 07970 067251
