RG Independent Social Work Services

05/06/2026

🎙️ Upcoming Podcast Series – Coming Soon

Some conversations need to be heard.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be sitting down with the incredible Claire Lux for a series of honest, thought-provoking podcasts exploring neurodiversity, lived experience, safeguarding, systems-generated trauma, and what really happens when neurodivergent families encounter systems that fail to understand them.

Claire is a former solicitor, neurodivergent parent, consultant, specialist advocate, trainer, and public speaker whose work sits at the intersection of neurodivergence, safeguarding, and family systems. Through both professional expertise and deeply personal lived experience, she has become a powerful voice for families who are too often misunderstood, disbelieved, or harmed by the very systems meant to support them.

What makes these conversations especially meaningful to me is that they are rooted in a journey we have shared together.

From the moment Claire and I met in 2023, we've walked a daily path side by side. Together we've navigated challenges that neither of us could ever have imagined, including a truly horrific period that ultimately led to me standing firmly beside Claire as she made life-changing decisions in the interests of her safety, wellbeing, and recovery. We got there in the end, but the after impact for families is not very well understood.

Through every obstacle, every battle, and every setback, I have watched Claire rise with courage, integrity, determination, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. She is someone who I am so proud of every single day.

These podcasts won't just be about policy, practice, or professional perspectives. They'll be about real lives, real experiences, and the lessons that emerge when people refuse to give up in the face of adversity.

We'll be discussing neurodiversity, advocacy, FII, safeguarding, family systems, systems-generated trauma, and the reality of navigating education, health, and social care processes as a neurodivergent family. Most importantly, we'll be talking about what happens when lived experience meets professional expertise and why understanding neurodivergent families is not optional, but essential.

🎧 Keep an eye out for episode announcements and release dates.

If you care about neurodiversity, safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, advocacy, or simply hearing authentic conversations that challenge assumptions and inspire change, then stay tuned.

These are conversations that matter.

19/03/2025

New Book Release!

We are excited to announce a vital new contribution to the field of child protection and disability rights. In collaboration with Cathie Long and Esther Whitney, we have authored a chapter on:

"Child Protection and the Experiences of Autistic Parents Accused of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII)."

This chapter sheds light on the challenges autistic parents face when navigating child protection systems, particularly when accusations of 'FII' arise. We explore how systemic misunderstandings, bias, and a lack of awareness can lead to devastating consequences for families and what needs to change to ensure fairer, more informed decision-making.

If you're a professional in social work, healthcare, or law or simply passionate about justice for autistic parents this book is essential reading.

Pre order a copy here:

https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/understanding-parent-blame?fbclid=IwY2xjawJH9PJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZLbfRV0xXJfqAtm4XJh90NDRa2BiawEUv-Gkfg2aNNhlBUAx8aKt_JvgA_aem_Mf_zFVhwbAOJnarxU9xqSg

17/03/2025

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Why the Right Support Matters!

This week, we celebrate Neurodiversity and the incredible talents that flourish when young people get the support they need to thrive. Seeing Franco step into his passion for music is a powerful reminder of why every bit of effort securing independent assessments, exploring the right support, and advocating for neurodivergent young people, is so worth it!

Franco and his up-and-coming band are proof of what’s possible when we create the right environment for neurodivergent individuals to shine. His journey filled with hard work, creativity, and determination is truly inspiring, and I couldn't be prouder! Love this music!

This is why we push for better understanding, better environments, better assessments, and better support. Because when we do, young people don’t just get by they thrive.

I can't wait for the gig in April it's going to be unforgettable! Subscribe to their band—link below!

[🔗 Subscribe here! https://youtu.be/gSB1b9qaPq0?si=jRHJs2PYy1WXuNyX

Lyrics:Here I come down the hall,Feeling like I look so cool,But in reality I'm not a at all,No I'm not!Here I come with a smile,People think I am so vile,Bu...

26/02/2025

Continued professional development (CPD) is vital for professionals across all disciplines, ensuring they remain informed about the latest research, methodologies, and best practices. Highly recommend this book, I'm hooked already, and it only came today!. Details below;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-What-Takes-Selective-Mutism/dp/B0DWBKX295?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

Well done SmallTalk Speech & Language Therapy amazing publication and thank you. 😊

03/01/2025

This afternoon, as I sat reflecting on a card sent to me, I found myself unable to smile. Instead, I felt a deep sense of unease. The gratitude expressed in the card, while heartfelt, stirred something unsettling within me. I shouldn't need to be thanked for addressing something that should not be happening within our systems—whether in health, education, or social care.(Or any other area).

The past year has been another challenging one, filled with difficult cases and conversations surrounding Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII). Too often, my role has been to clarify what FII is not, both directly with families and indirectly, behind the scenes. While I am always willing to share research, facts, and insights on this complex topic, I find myself urging professionals across all sectors to reflect on their own understanding, their practices, and their responsibilities.

Let’s try another way this year. Regardless of who you work for, remember this: you are registered to a professional body, aside of your employer. Your role, above all else, is to protect others. If you don’t understand something, don’t carry on regardless. Educate yourself, seek out someone who does understand, and challenge yourself to grow. Remember the weight of your registration and the responsibility it entails. More importantly, remember the well-being of the public, the very reason for our work across all sectors.

Question yourself and your practice. Are you truly informed and equipped to make the decisions you’re making? Are you adhering to evidence-based approaches, or are you relying on assumptions? Are you challenging poor practice, and are you prepared to confront cultures that perpetuate matters with little or no evidence? If not, why not? These are the questions we must ask ourselves every day.

We must recognise that inadequate knowledge in areas like FII is dangerous—not only for the individuals involved but for the integrity of our professions. Evidence-based practice, defensible decision-making, and a thorough understanding of patterns and narratives are essential. We must challenge poor practice when we see it and confront cultures that rely on matters supported by little to no evidence. This is not only our duty but our fundamental purpose as professionals.

The pressures we face within the system—whether due to resource constraints, organisational expectations, or systemic inefficiencies—cannot become excuses for poor decisions. Bad practice, regardless of the reason, has consequences. When things go wrong, the system may not stand by us as individuals. It is vital to remember why we entered our professions in the first place: to serve with compassion, dignity, and respect.

As we step into the year ahead, let us reflect on our core values, the codes of practice we uphold, and the ethical boundaries we are committed to maintaining. The pressures will not disappear, but our commitment to serving the public well must remain steadfast. The memories of our actions—good or bad—will stay with us long after the immediate challenges have passed.

Let us carry these reflections forward, remembering the weight of our responsibilities and the power of our choices. In every decision, let us honour the trust placed in us by those we serve, and let us never lose sight of the humanity that underpins all we do.

Independent Social Work support.

23/10/2024

Today was quite an interesting day outside the office. Rachel is now officially a Fortnite gaming master, taught by awesome children and young people! We love non-traditional assessment methods! Interest-led ways of engaging with children and young people are important because they foster real connections, enthusiasm and motivation, making learning and child-led assessments so much more valuable.

Through these lovely interactions we had the opportunity to understand the child or young persons regulation needs, problem-solving skills, passions and more. Less intense means of communicating, rather than relying on traditional interviews. Activities like Playdough tasks and other fine motor tasks help us gauge the child's needs and support provisions. These activities are crucial for assessing independence skills, but in a much less intensive way. Once again, the emphasis is on the very important child led and interest-led ways of working!.

07/10/2024

Here, Rachel shares her thoughts about her role as a social worker and what it means to her. Find out more about a career in Social Work with WeCare Wales below;
://wecare.wales/news/make-a-positive-difference-to-families-in-wales-as-a-social-worker

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/special-features/make-difference-families-social-worker-29997766?fbclid=IwY2xjawFwrkdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa9fgBXOnzTATb_6jwsWSCBVdWekviayUtKi6ihr8P0LBQ8roE55aX_J1A_aem_cKKdytkxxIOOhAN9KU6xcg&sfnsn=scwspwa

WeCare Wales has a range of job vacancies, training programmes and support available to help you pursue a career in social care

23/07/2024

Fantastic opportunity to be a part of the PAWB Summit and delivering Football opportunities through an ND lens with the Football Association of Wales! Fantastic work going on across Welsh Football, excellent activity for proprioception, vestibular input and more. Thoroughly enjoyed delivering our new football programmes to clubs across Wales and the opportunity to listen to the wonderful work going on! We can't wait to get going and make Football a truly accessible sport! Starting in Bridgend and then Wales wide, exciting stuff! A huge thank you to all the children, young people and families helping develop this initiative! 👊⚽️

27/06/2024

Tiggers on tour! Looks like a great event! See you all there! Thanks for sharing and sorting The PDA Space 😁

https://www.thepdaspace.com/tigger-on-tour?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0AEL3fB9YYmD7onlk15-5oYLg9qVvRzSSKecPVWG8m8gemJHxK8BgKwBo_aem_Okynzy91MN-kj5XGWZPQGg

Tigger on Tour comes to Insole Court, Cardiff Saturday 13th July 2024, 7-9pm Understanding the Autistic experience