About Me

I have been a Guardian ad Litem since 1997, having previously worked as a social worker and senior social worker in London. In 2002, I was appointed head of the  Barnardos Guardian ad Litem service bringing the service from 5 practitioners in 2002 to 32 practitioners today, with a strong emphasis on child centred, quality service provision. I have  wide experience as a Guardian ad Litem in complex childcare and family law casework and has a strong interest in children’s voice, rights, participation, and the role of the Guardian ad Litem in the Irish Court System.

I am  trained in Forensic Interviewing of Children and have  sat as a Lay Member on Tribunals held under the Mental Health Act, she is on CORU’s preliminary complaints  screening committee and in November 2016  was appointed to the Board of the Legal Aid Board.

I was the recipient of the Canon Maurice Handy Award for contribution of understanding of family relationships in 2012 and I am a member of the Mediator’s Institute of Ireland.

Professional Positions & Memberships

• Social Worker and Senior Social Worker
• Head of Barnardos Guardian ad Litem Service
• Member Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal
• Board Member Legal Aid Board
• Member CORU Preliminary Complaints Committee
• Member Mental Health Tribunal
• Adviser to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

For further details please email freda@fredamckittrick.ie