Suzanne has been a Guardian ad Litem and Independent Social Worker since July 2018. Alongside this, Suzanne has also been providing both individual and group mentoring to Tigala Guardians ad Litem since 2022. Suzanne is a Professionally Qualified Social Worker accredited by the National Social Work Qualification Board since 2006. Suzanne has also worked in the area of Child Protection, Children in Care, Fostering and Leaving and Aftercare for over 16 years. Suzanne has experience as a Social Work Team Leader and Acting Principal Social Worker dealing with children at risk in the community and children in care with complex needs.

Suzanne has worked in two jurisdictions during her career to date, and this has expanded her experience and knowledge in the field of social work practice. Suzanne has experience working with the PSNI conducting joint protocol investigations into allegations of child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

Suzanne has completed Dyadic Developmental Practice Level 1: which is a trauma informed response to working with children who have experienced adversity in their lives. Suzanne has also completed the Meaning of the Child Training which is a method of understanding the parent child relationship, through evaluating the way parents think about their children.

As a Guardian ad Litem, Suzanne has been appointed to cases in relation to applications under the Child Care Act 1991, Special Care, Separated Children Seeking Asylum, Section 25 of the Mental Health Act 2001.  Suzanne has also worked with children and adults who are subject to wardship proceedings.

Suzanne receives regular clinical mentoring, attends regular conferences and is committed to ongoing professional development. Suzanne is fully Garda vetted and is a member of CORU and NAGALRO.

2005 |Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work, University of Ulster

2000 | BSc (Hons) in Social Care, Sligo IT

Further Education and Training

2020 – Present | Monthly Sessions/Tigala Training and Development Programme

2022 | The Healing Power of Play, Supporting Children to Heal from Trauma - Joanna Fortune

2021 | Narrative Training – Dr. William Coman.

2021 | Using an attachment and trauma perspective in family visit settings with Ms Aoife Bairead

2020 | Meaning of the Child Training with Dr. Ben Grey and Ms. Juliet Kavastan.

2019 | Dyadic Developmental Practice - Ms Kim Goulding

2018 – Present | Independent Guardian ad Litem, The Independent Guardian Ad Litem Agency

2018 – Present | Independent Social Worker for High Court Wardship proceedings

2016 – 2017 | Acting Principal Social Worker Alternative Care, TUSLA Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan

2013 – 2016 | Child Protection Team Leader, TUSLA, Dublin North Central

2009 – 2013 | Child Protection Social Worker, HSE, Dublin North Central

2009 | Senior Social Work Practitioner, Western Health and Social Care Trust Northern Ireland, Child Protection, Fermanagh

2005 – 2009 | Social Work Practitioner Child Protection, Western Health and Social Care Trust Northern Ireland, Fermanagh

2003 – 2004 | Women’s Aid, Child Care Worker, Fermanagh

Working with children who are experiencing attachment difficulties due to adverse childhood experiences or as a result of multiple caregivers.

Assessment of Access

Parental Intellectual disability in child protection

Non-accidental injury in children

Child Sexual Abuse

Wardship