About Us

Balanced, fair and evidence-based social work assessments, training and consultancy — built on senior practice experience.

Our Story

Who We Are

Onyx Collaborative Social Work Services is dedicated to enhancing the quality of social work provision for families, children, and professionals across the United Kingdom.

Our team specialises in providing balanced, fair, non-judgemental, evidence-based assessments. We bring together experienced professionals who are passionate about making a real difference in the lives of the families and organisations we serve.

Beyond assessments, we undertake dedicated internal investigations to support organisations and individuals seeking impartial resolution of concerns within the social care sector. We also offer comprehensive internal audit services, tailored mentoring programmes, and training sessions designed to enhance practice and build confidence.

We ensure that all work adheres to the highest standards, promoting accountability, consistency, and excellence. In addition, Onyx can provide expert guidance and strategic solutions for organisations seeking to improve their social work services.

Meet the Team

The People Behind Onyx

Sheena Adams

Independent Social Worker (Director)

I am an experienced Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in children's social care. I hold a BA (Hons) in Social Work, a Postgraduate Diploma in specialist social work practice with families, a diploma in practice education, a leadership and coaching award and an advanced aspiring to leadership award. I have led large-scale transformation programmes, including redesigning front-door services and improving multi-agency safeguarding processes. I have also held strategic responsibility as the lead for MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements). I am registered with Social Work England and have completed Parent Assess training.

Caroline Moore

Independent Social Worker (Director)

I have been a qualified social worker since obtaining a diploma in social work in 2001. I also hold a Master's degree in Social Work, an Advanced award in Social Work and a Master's degree in Child Care Law and Practice. I have worked within local authorities as a social worker, team manager, Head of Service (Care Planning and Court), court progression officer and the Head of a Regional Adoption Agency. I have also worked at Cafcass and more recently led DFE funded, regional project work, across Local Authorities and the court. I am registered with Social Work England and have completed ParentAssess training.

Our Approach

Family-Centred Practice

We place a strong emphasis on engaging families as active partners in the assessment process.

Empowering Families

By fostering open communication, building trust, and recognising each family's unique strengths and challenges, we work collaboratively to ensure families feel heard and empowered.

Our approach enables families to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their wellbeing. We understand that the assessment process can be challenging, which is why we prioritise transparency, respect, and understanding at every stage.

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

These principles guide everything we do at Onyx Collaborative Social Work Services.

Fairness

We approach every assessment with impartiality, ensuring balanced and unbiased evaluations.

Non-Judgemental

We respect every family's circumstances without prejudice, creating a safe space for honest dialogue.

Evidence-Based

Our assessments are grounded in current research, best practice frameworks, and proven methodologies.

Collaborative

We work alongside families and professionals, fostering partnerships that lead to better outcomes.

Excellence

We maintain the highest standards through robust quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Empowerment

We ensure families feel heard, valued, and empowered to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

Our Name

Why Onyx?

The onyx stone is often associated with qualities such as strength, protection, grounding, and resilience. It is believed to foster emotional stability and self-confidence.

These attributes closely relate to the field of social work, where practitioners are called upon to support individuals and families through challenging circumstances. Just as the onyx stone symbolises steadfastness and support, our social workers strive to provide a stable, non-judgemental presence, helping those they work with to feel empowered and protected as they navigate complex situations.

The stone's meaning thus mirrors the core values of Onyx Collaborative Social Work: resilience, support, and the promotion of wellbeing.

Our Commitment

Quality Assurance

We ensure that all work adheres to the highest standards, promoting accountability, consistency, and excellence.

Every assessment, report, and service we provide undergoes rigorous review to ensure it meets both regulatory requirements and our own exacting standards.

We continuously evaluate and improve our practices, staying current with the latest developments in social work and incorporating feedback from families and professionals to enhance our services.

Work With Us

Ready to Work Together?

Whether you're a local authority, legal professional, or organisation seeking expert social work services, we're here to help.

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