What we do
We provide high quality and affordable Independent Social Work reports for Court within Immigration & Asylum and Family proceedings.
With over 20 years experience of working with family’s involved in Proceedings. Our clients are primarily represented by solicitors who provide our initial instructions for Family Impact Reports related to immigration matters. We write expert reports assessing the likely impact removal or deportation may have on an individual and, where relevant their family. Being sensitive to the stresses they are likely to be experiencing at this time, plays an important part of our approach.
Where children are involved, we are passionate about ensuring their voices are heard, as required under Article 12 (UNCRC), and that their best interests are clearly presented within our reports.
Get in touch
We at Alphabet Social Work know that finding the right social worker to assist you is a choice not to be taken lightly. That’s why we offer free consultations to understand how we can best help.
Profile
Director
Laurence Chester
Affiliations
SWE & BASW registered independent social worker.
Specialist Areas:
Immigration & Asylum Issues
Child & Family Social Work (Public/Private Law Outline)
Profile
Since qualifying as a social worker in 1995, I have gained expertise in child welfare issues from my work as part of local authority Court work teams as well as within the voluntary sector with NSPCC.
I have extensive experience of undertaking assessments and writing reports for Court on behalf of private clients, solicitors and barristers focusing on ECHR and UNCRC considerations as well as the Immigration Rules especially paragraph 276ADE(1) (vi);, and the Home Office Section 55 Duty regarding the welfare of children. All my work concerning children is within the framework of the Welfare Checklist (Children Act 1989). My most recent work has been in writing expert family impact reports for clients currently facing deportation to Jamaica.
Between 2000-2009, I worked with the Home Office in an hounary position as Chair of the Home Office National Refugee Integration Forum (NRIF), sub group for Children & Families. I was also a member of the Housing and Health sub groups. In this capacity, I contributed to the Home Office publication Integration Matters (2005). I also hosted workshops on behalf of the Home Office and gave presentations on the challenges facing migrant families when seeking to integrate into British society.
I have represented the Home Office in negotiations with overseas governments concerning issues related to child migration and human trafficking. This led to the Home Office Minister of the time, Rt Hon. Des Browne, remarking on my expertise in child and family social work and refugee issues as part of a debate in the House of Commons in 2004. (House of Commons Hansard Debates for 19 Jul 2004 (pt33)).
I utilise this experience, within removal/deportation proceedings, when considering whether there are ‘significant obstacles’ to a client’s ability to re-integrate back into the Country where the Court is determining to send them as well as if it would be ‘unduly harsh’. The Right to Family Life and the impact of any involved children form the core part of my assessment reports,
I am passionate about providing an affordable high quality service for my clients, especially where children are involved, ensuring their voices are heard in matters that concern their welfare.
Education
Goldmiths College
Dip s/w MA (Social Work) 1995
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-chester-6b32b710
Activities & Affiliations
• British Association of Social Workers, Member
Regulatory Body
• Social Work England