Edwina Kevany, Director, Optimal Outcomes

Portrait of Edwina Kevany, founder of Optimal Outcomes, provider of independent social work services for children and families in Ireland.

Edwina Kevany is a professionally qualified social worker with over 15 years’ experience working with vulnerable children and families across both community-based and statutory care settings.

Her practice is grounded in emotional intelligence, clear communication, and sound professional judgement. She specialises in conducting comprehensive assessments, preparing high-quality reports, and offering independent, child-centred advocacy in complex family and care proceedings.

As a Guardian ad Litem and independent social worker, Edwina brings in-depth working knowledge of the Child Care Act 1991 and the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. She has particular expertise in the preparation of ‘Voice of the Child’ reports, court-ordered family assessments, and parenting capacity evaluations. She is highly skilled at engaging with children and young people of all ages and applies a multidisciplinary approach to ensure safe, informed outcomes.

Edwina’s areas of special interest include attachment, developmental trauma, and the long-term impact of intergenerational adversity. She regularly undertakes specialist training in these fields to inform and strengthen her work. With a clear focus on practical outcomes, Edwina applies a range of assessment frameworks and national standards to support robust, evidence-based recommendations. Her approach is reliable, balanced, and rooted in professional integrity.

Edwina is a professionally qualified social worker with over 15 years’ experience working with children and families across both community and care settings in Ireland. She currently works as an independent social worker and Guardian ad Litem, with particular expertise in child protection, foster care, and family law.

Edwina has held various roles within TUSLA Child & Family Agency, and has extensive experience in undertaking private family law assessments, child-centred advocacy, and high-quality reporting. Underpinning my work is a comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Child Care Act 1991 and the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.

Professional Background

  • Institution: Roehampton University, London

    Year: 2020 – Present

    Focus on advanced understanding of attachment and developmental trauma in children and families.

  • Institution: University College Dublin

    Year: 2008

    Professional qualification in Social Work, accredited in Ireland and recognised by CORU.

    • Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) – Roehampton University (2024)

    • Theraplay Level One & Marshak Interaction Method – Theraplay Institute (2022)

    • Infant CARE-Index Assessment – Family Relations Institute (2023)

    • Sensory Attachment Intervention – SAI Consultancy (2023)

    • Family Ties (high conflict families) – Anna Freud Centre (2023)

    • CASP-R Framework – Leonard McGibbon Consultancy (2024)

    • Children First – TUSLA (2025)

    • Higher Diploma in Social Policy – UCD, 2007

    • BA in English & Sociology – UCD, 2006

Qualifications and Training

Professional Memberships

  • CORU logo – the regulating body for health and social care professionals in Ireland, confirming Edwina Kevany’s registration as a social worker.

    CORU

    Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. Edwina is a registered social worker under registration number SW003398.

  • Logo of the Irish Association of Social Workers, highlighting Edwina Kevany’s professional membership and commitment to high standards of practice.

    IASW

    Member of the Irish Association of Social Workers, the national professional body for social work in Ireland.

  • NAGALRO logo with tagline “every child must be seen and heard” – reflecting Edwina Kevany’s membership in the UK’s independent social work and Guardian network.

    NAGALRO

    Professional member of NAGALRO – the Association for Children’s Guardians, Family Court Advisers, and Independent Social Workers.

  • Garda Síochána emblem, representing Edwina Kevany’s full Garda vetting for independent social work with children and families.

    Garda Vetted

    Edwina is fully Garda vetted in line with national requirements for working with children and vulnerable individuals.