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Val has been a Guardian Ad Litem, a Court Advocate and an Independent Social Worker since November 2014.Since October 2020 Val has provided individual and group mentoring to fellow TIGALA Guardians ad Litem. She also facilitates the TIGALA Training and Development programme. Val serves on the Board of Directors of EPIC (Empowering People in Care) since June 2019. Val is a Professionally Qualified Social Worker, accredited by the National Social Work Qualification Board since 2005.Val has worked in the area of Child Protection and Children in Care since 2005.

Val is currently completing a Specialist Diploma in Developmental Trauma, this is accredited by Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Val is a Qualified Mediator, successfully achieving the Diploma in Mediator Training with the Law Society of Ireland in 2019 and is accredited by the Mediator’s Institute of Ireland. Val has successfully completed Levels 1 and 2 of Dyadic Developmental Practice: Parenting and Psychotherapy, a trauma and attachment led approach to working with children and families.

Val has developed her forensic interviewing skills through completion of the Joint HSE / Garda Siochana Specialist Victim Interviewer training in 2011. she actively conducted interviews with children and people with intellectual disabilities who have been victim of a violent or sexual crime from 2011 to 2014.

As a Guardian ad Litem, Val has been appointed to cases in relation to; Applications under the Child Care Act 1991,Habitual Residence, Special Care, Separated Children seeking Asylum, Section 25of the Mental Health Act 2001 and resolution of European Regulations affecting the welfare of a minor. She was appointed in cases where written judgements were received from the Supreme Court in relation to determining the best interests of a minor in proceedings under Brussels II, Article 15 and a High Court judgement relating to the role of the Guardian ad Litem.

Val worked in Tusla (formerly the HSE) from 2005 to 2014 as a Social Worker and Social Work Team Leader (3years) on both Child Protection and Children in Care cases. She also held a position on the Reach Team, a specialist Social Work team dealing with complex child protection cases.

Val is commissioned for independent fostering assessments, by a private fostering agency. Val has also provided trauma-informed training to foster carers.

Val is a member of the IASW and NAGALRO, she attends regular events, conferences and professional mentoring and is committed to continuous professional development.

Val is registered with CORU and has full, up to date Garda clearance.

2023 – 2024 (ongoing)| Specialist Diploma in Developmental Trauma / The Greenane Centre - Accredited by Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy | Specialist Diploma in Developmental Trauma / The Greenane Centre - Accredited by Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy

2018 – 2019 | Diploma in Mediator Training / Law Society of Ireland – Accredited by Mediator’s Institute of Ireland

‍2018 – 2019 | Dyadic Developmental Practice: Psychotherapy and Parenting, Level One & Two / Accredited by DDP Institute

‍2010 – 2011 | Child Specialist Interviewing / An Garda Siochana & HSE Joint Training Protocol under Section 16 1(b) of Criminal Evidence Act

‍2001 – 2005 | Bachelor of Social Studies & National Qualification in Social Work / Trinity College Dublin – Accredited by National Social Work Qualification Board

Further Education and Training

2020 - Present | Monthly Sessions / TIGALA Training and Development Programme

2018 | Working with Children who have been Sexually Abused / TIGALA

‍2018 | Caring for LGBT+ Children in care – conference / TIGALA

‍2017 | Developmental Trauma / Dr. Dan Siegel

‍2016 | Neuro-Psychological Assessments of Children – Dr. Cathal McAuliffe

‍2016 | Effective Responding to Child Sexual Abuse – Conference / TIGALA

‍2016 | Demystifying Attachment Seminar / TIGALA

‍2016 | Culturally Appropriate Planning for Children in Care - Conference/ TIGALA

‍2015 | Access in Childcare Proceedings / TIGALA

‍2014 | Development Victimology: Conceptualizing and Intervening in Crime, Violence and Abuse in the Lives of Children / Baspcan

‍2014 | Contemporary Perspectives in Social Work / TCD

‍2014 | The Alienated Child / Barnardos

‍2014 | Cultural Diversity Training / UCD

•      Children who have experienced trauma

•      Children with complex attachment difficulties due to adverse experiences or multiple caregivers

•      Children and families who struggle to engage with professionals

•      Children receiving in-patient treatment for Eating Disorders/ Mental Health Issues

•      Separated children seeking asylum in Ireland

•      Children who have been placed in Special Care