Lisa, now a Guardian ad Litem, is also a registered social worker as well as being an academic Doctor. Lisa completed her PhD research with UCD, studying the interface of the professional relationship of child protection social workers and guardians in the Irish context. Throughout the duration of her PhD Lisa engaged in lecturing in social work. Lisa has been module coordinator as well as being responsible for designing a new lecture series.

Prior to this Lisa spent fifteen years working for the Child and Family Agency as a Social Worker and Social Work Team Leader managing a busy child protection and welfare team. Lisa regularly stepped into the Principal Social Work role. As part of her role Lisa spent significant periods of time in the Dublin District Court this facilitated her knowledge and understanding of working in this forum and the importance of transparent, open, and honest communication for all parties. Lisa took pride in managing her team and providing quality supervision which facilitated meeting the needs of the social workers and the client group. Lisa has a natural ability to work well with people in all walks of life and is particularly collaborative and transparent in her approach.

Lisa is particularly interested in the impact of long-term neglect on children and young people. She is a strong advocate for the voice of the child and the preposition that the child is an expert in their own life. Her approach puts the child and young person at the centre of the process with decision making based on having their best interests as its focal point.

2024 – PhD | A qualitative study of the professional interfaces between Child Welfare and Protection Social Workers (CWPSW) and Guardians ad Litem (GAL) in the Republic of Ireland – University College Dublin

1998 – 2000 | Masters in Social Work – University College Dublin

1997 – 1998 | Higher Diploma in Social Policy – University College Dublin

1993 – 1996 | Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree – University College Dublin

Further Education and Training

2025 – Present | Monthly Professional and Training Sessions with TIGALA.

2025 | Children First – TUSLA

2024 | Empower Kids event lead by Barnardo’s but involving domestic violence agencies nationally,

alongside the Department of Justice

2024 | Family Justice Development Forum

2012 | Supervision Trained – HSE

2008 | Management Trained – HSE

2007 | ASSIST Suicide Intervention Training

2000 – 2015 (intermittently)| Assessment Skills – HSE

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Additional Achievements

* Presented PhD findings at the All Ireland Social Work Research Conference AISWRC May 2025;

* Presented and discussed findings of PhD with DCEDIY October 2024;

* Presentation of PhD findings Universitas 21 International Conference May 2024;

* Presentation of PhD research at the ISPCAN International Congress, Milan, June 2021;

* Presentation of PhD research at the University of Hong Kong, Annual postgraduate research symposium, March 2021;

* Presentation of PhD research at the IASW research event June 2019;

* Presented at SWSD event July 2018 in relation to preliminary findings from PhD;

* Facilitator (2003 – 2005) of Southside Interagency Treatment Team (SIATT) therapeutic group for youths who have sexually offended;

Areas of Special Interest

Lisa’s particular areas of interest are children who have suffered neglect and emotional abuse. Lisa has long been interested in highlighting the impact of these more hidden modes of abuse and the significant impact they can have on children and young people both in their youth and into adulthood. Lisa also has a wealth of experience across the complex range of issues experienced by children in both the District Court as well as those of the High Court concerning secure care cases. Lisa is a strong advocate for the voice of the child and the importance of all professionals working together to maximise this goal for children and young people.

With over fifteen years’ experience in frontline social work and nine years’ experience researching and teaching in social work Lisa is well placed to navigate the complex world of child protection court proceedings.

Lisa is committed to ongoing learning and continuing professional development to stay aware of changing trends and developing knowledge. Ultimately Lisa is kind and compassionate in her approach but with a strong work ethic that completed by her enthusiasm to meet the needs of her clients.

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Professional Membership

Lisa Garavin is registered with CORU.

Lisa Garavin is fully Garda Vetted.

Lisa Garavin is a member of NAGALRO Professional Association for Children’s Guardians, Family Advisers and Independent Social Workers.

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Committees

Lisa Garavin is a Director on the Smyley’s Trust Board since January 2025.

Lisa Garavin (January 2015 – March 2024) sat on the independent complaints committee for the Advertising Standards Association of Ireland (ASAI). Lisa’s role was as the childcare expert and to consider if complaints breached the standards with a particular concern for children’s issues.

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Publications

Lisa Garavin, Building Effective Social Work Teams, Judy Foster, The British Journal of Social Work, bcy064, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcy064

Lisa Garavin, (2019) ‘A qualitative study of the professional interfaces between Child Welfare and Protection Social Workers (CWPSW) and Guardians ad Litem (GAL) in the Republic of Ireland’, The Irish Social Worker, Winter, 2019.