Ms Sinéad Hegarty

I specialise in cases involving child sexual abuse and trauma, and those where there are contentious/acrimonious parental relationships. I provide trauma-informed, evidence-based assessments and balanced recommendations focused on the wellbeing and best interests of the child.

Areas of Expertise:

• Child sexual abuse

• Domestic Abuse

• Sexual Violence

• Child Protection

Experience

I am an experienced and highly skilled Social Work professional. I have 32 years' Social Work experience, as a Practitioner, Manager, Trainer and Consultant. Since  2004, I have specialised in  working with children, young people and families following child sexual abuse, initially with NSPCC in Northern Ireland, before becoming Independent in 2021. I am committed to high standards, promoting outcomes for children,  and legal compliance.

While my focus during my time with NSPCC was predominantly in relation to Child Sexual Abuse, I also have experience in working with Children u10 displaying sexualised behaviours, and have been responsible for the delivery of programmes for children living with parental alcohol and substance misuse; mothers and children recovering from Domestic Abuse; and a positive parenting programme for fathers who have perpetrated domestic abuse. 

Throughout my practice, child protection and safeguarding have been to the fore, which has been recognised by other professionals. My work is child centred and evidence based.

I have experience in programme development, delivery and review.

More recently I have been part of a working group together with the Council of Europe, developing a Trauma Informed Training Programme for professionals working with Barnahus Ireland.

I am experienced in undertaking Parenting Capacity Assessments, Providing Court Reports in Litigations against Statutory Organisations, and also providing Court Reports in cases of contentious and acrimonious parental relationshipS.

I am an experienced CPD Accredited Trainer

My work spans the statutory and voluntary sector.

I undertake monthly assessment reports of an Independent Specialist Residential Children’s Home. I also provide training, consultancy and supervision with a Group of Specialist Children’s homes.

Services Provided:

• Expert witness reports 
• Victim Impact Reports
• Consultancy on Complex Cases involving CSA/Trauma.
• Accredited CPD Training for professionals on all aspects of child sexual abuse trauma and working with families in this context.
• Risk Assessments
• Assessment of Therapeutic Need
• Administration and analysis of Briere's Trauma Symptoms Checklist for Children, (TSCC), and Briere's Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children, (TSCYC)
• Parenting Capacity Assessments
• Capacity to protect Assessments
• Independent Social Work Assessments including risk and safeguarding
• Social Work Supervision
• Therapeutic Recovery Work with children, young people and their families

NISCC, CORU, AOCPP, NAGALRO, IASW