Lisa has been working as a Guardian Ad Litem since2021.  Lisa is a professionally qualified and CORU registered Social Worker since 2013 and has been working in the area of Child Protection since 2015. Prior to this, Lisa gained 5 years’ experience working and volunteering in the areas of early childhood education, homelessness and the disability sector.

During her time as a Social Worker with the Child and Family Agency, Lisa worked as a member of the duty and intake, child welfare and protection and children in care teams. These roles included completing family and risk assessments, compiling safety plans and supporting children at risk in the community.  Lisa has an in-depth knowledge of statutory obligations and regulations to ensure a high standard of care for children living in both foster family and residential placements.   Lisa has extensive experience working with children with behavioural concerns and developmental trauma in foster care.  Lisa is highly skilled in working with multidisciplinary teams where she arranged bespoke assessments and therapeutic care planning for children with complex needs.

One of Lisa’s key strengths is building rapport with children and young people and ensuring their wishes and feelings are heard in respect to decision making and in matters before the Court.  Lisa has strongly advocated and supported young people in engaging with aftercare services and planning for their futures.  Lisa values building genuine and empathic relationships with children and their families to identify the most appropriate intervention.  Lisa has experience working with children and families presenting with communication difficulties, mental health issues, addiction, emotional dysregulation and trauma.

Lisa has significant experience in both District and Circuit Court arenas where she is accomplished at providing comprehensive reports ensuring that the voice of the child is captured.

2013 | Master’s Degree in Social Work -University College Cork  ‍

2011 | Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science - University College Cork  

Further Education and Training

‍2019 | Understanding and assessing the protective carer in the context of child sexual abuse/abusers with Ms. Debbie Jones (Lucy Faithful Foundation)

2019 | Complaints Handling in Tusla

2019 | Children First

2017 | Signs of Safety Training with Mr. Andrew Turnell  

2017 | Practice Teacher Training with University College Cork

2017 | Self Harm Training

2015 | Direct Work with Children: Engaging children and Young People

2013 | Master’s Degree in Social Work -University College Cork  

2011 | Honors Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science - University College Cork

Working with children with complex needs who are being supported by a multidisciplinary team or engaged with multiple support services

Empowering young people to engage in aftercare planning for the future to identify realistic and achievable aftercare plans

Supporting children in residential care placements who have difficulty engaging with staff and other professionals

Working with children who present with communication difficulties and learning disabilities