Cathleen Long - Independent Social Worker

I am a highly competent and experienced Independent Social Worker who provides expert assessments and reports for adults and children with complex needs for Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals and/or Judicial Review. As an Approved Mental Health Professional, I assess individuals detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, providing reports for Mental Health Review Tribunals. I am a Best Interests Assessor (BIA) and have received instructions from solicitors, including the Official Solicitor, where best interest decisions need to be made for the Court of Protection. I undertake parenting assessments where the parents(s) and/or children have a learning disability or are on the autism spectrum. I hold the Practice Assessors and the Post-qualifying Awards in Social Work (PQSW). I have over 27 years of post-qualifying experience working with adults and older people who have mental health problems (including dementia), a learning disability and/or physical health needs. I am an independent trainer and run courses on Autism, Mental Capacity, the Care Act 2014 and Safeguarding Adults in Need of Care and Support. I am a visiting lecturer at both the Swansea University, where I teach on their Approved Mental Health Professionals programme, and the University of South Wales, teaching on the MA SEN/ALN (Autism) course. I hold an MA in Autism, from the University of South Wales, and was awarded ‘The Professional Learning Award Outstanding Achievement (Autism)’ in December 2017. I am studying for a Diploma in Transactional Analysis (UKATA Registration No: 4418). I am registered with Social Care Wales (Regulatory Body No: W/1004368) and Social Work England (Registration No: SW 109123). I hold an up to date enhanced DBS certificate.