Olivia is a passionate and committed professionally qualified Social Worker with 17+ years’ experience of working with Children and Families in a statutory setting. During this time, she has worked with children ranging from newborn to adolescents, their families, their carers and other services and professionals. Olivia has worked in a variety of roles and teams including child protection, Intake, Fostering and Children in care as well as being a Social Work Team Leader for a Children in Care team, Child Protection & High Welfare and a Child In Care Reviewing officer. Olivia has also been a committee member to the Foster Care Committee and provided training to Relative Foster Carers during their assessment process.

Olivia has worked directly with children and young people with complex medical needs, challenging behaviors and children from various ethnic groups who have experience of significant trauma. In addition, she’s worked with children with additional needs, and families affected by parental substance misuse / addiction and mental health. During her career, she has conducted risk assessments, parenting capacity assessments and fostering assessments. As a Team Leader, Olivia has experience in managing and supporting social workers in completing initial child protection assessment at the point of referral to making long term plans for children who are in care. Olivia encouraged and supported her teams to develop trusting relationships with children and young people and promoted good quality service provision.

Olivia has extensive experience of working within the legal & statutory framework for children & families. She has significant court experience within the District Court and High Court on various cases during her career as Social Worker and Social Work Team Leader. This includes applications to the High Court with regard to children in Special Care and out of State Care. From these experiences she has developed strong analytical and decision-making skills. She also has a strong knowledge and experience of implementing Childcare legislation, Children’s First guidance and the National Standards of Foster Care

Olivia has strong interpersonal and assessment skills that have been applied to various situations that arise in working directly with children & families and their carers within the context of child protection, children in the community and children in care. Olivia works in collaboration with families and professionals to ensure the optimal outcome for children.

Olivia is committed to developing her knowledge base and training on a regular basis and to continuously build on her existing skills and practice.  Olivia is committed to a child centered approach and to ensure that the child’s voice is heard and remains a focal point in their care planning.

2004 – 2007 | Bachelor of Art in Social Work (Hons degree) - The Robert Gordon University, Scotland      

2002 – 2004 | Applied Social Studies - BTec Level Four Diploma (HND) - Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Ireland

Further Education and Training

Monthly Professional and Training Sessions with TIGALA.

2024 | Children’s First – TUSLA.

2024 | Notice Me, Think about me, Ask about me - Barnardos

2022 | Trauma Informed Practice with Karen Triestan

2022  | Interview Training

2020 | Signs of Safety training, Practice Leader  

2018 | Mason Hayes Legal Training Seminars

2018 | Supervision Skills

2017 | First Time Managers training

2017 | Child & Youth Participation training

2016 | Byrne Wallace Legal Training Seminars

2012 | Fostering Assessment Training, HSE  

2011 | Practice Teacher Training at Trinity College

2010 | Court Room Skills and Report writing

Areas of Special Interest       

Olivia’s particular areas of interest are:

●       Child Development and Developmental Trauma

●       Care planning of young people with complex needs

●       Assessment of family contact

●       Long-Term care-planning for children across all aspects of the care system.

●       Parental Substance misuse and the impact on Child Development  

●       Vulnerable Teenagers requiring Special Care or Out of State Care

Professional Membership

Olivia O’Brien is registered with CORU.

Olivia O’Brien is fully Garda Vetted.

Olivia is a member of NAGALRO Professional Association for Children’s Guardians, Family Advisers and Independent Social Workers and also the IASW – Irish Association of Social Workers.