Bridging the Gap: Independent Social Workers in Deputyship and Social Care

Speakers

Susan Carol
Social Worker
Susan Carol Independent Social Worker Services
Susan Carol is an experienced independent social worker with specialist expertise in Mental Health and Mental Capacity.
UK
Webinar date: June 25, 2026 11:00 am
Webinar length: 30 minutes
Type:  Recorded
CPD: 1

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Adult social care systems are under sustained pressure, and an increasing number of cases now sit between statutory provision and unmet need. While local authorities remain central, strict eligibility thresholds and resource constraints can leave gaps in assessment, oversight, and support.

In this webinar, Susan Carol, Independent Social Worker with nearly 30 years’ experience, explores how independent practice operates alongside statutory services and where it can provide meaningful support in complex cases.

The session examines how independent social workers contribute to areas such as Care Act assessments, mental capacity work, benefits support, and best interests decision-making.

Key themes include:

  • Where individuals fall outside local authority thresholds
  • Risks linked to delayed or poor-quality capacity assessments
  • Challenges around benefits and under-claimed entitlements
  • Gaps in care oversight for self-funding individuals
  • The role of professional judgement in complex cases
  • The impact of safeguarding and family dynamics

This webinar highlights how independent social workers can provide second opinions, bridge gaps between legal and care decisions, and support improved outcomes within deputyship and Court of Protection work.

Host

Dave Lockwood
Senior Public Sector Client Relationship Manager
Finders International
Dave is a former Deputy Decision Maker appointed by the Court of Protection in England and Wales. Dave’s experience comes from working in four diverse local authorities across London and the South East, dealing with varied services, ongoing legislation changes and increased workloads with decreasing resources; managing expectations from both the public and internal colleagues. Not only does Dave have experience of acting as a Deputy under the Court of Protection, he is also well versed in the complexities of dealing with the statutory obligation of providing funerals under the Public Health Act. Dave is also one of the founding members and former chair of APAD (The Association of Public Authority Deputies).

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