Jeffrey Baker

Experienced Independent Social Worker & Expert Witness

Jeffrey Baker - independent social worker and expert winess

Independent Social Worker and Expert Witness with 25 years’ experience as a qualified social worker, including over 20 years working in roles in and around the Family Court and more than 10 years providing independent expert testimony within the UK family court system (County Court to High Court).

My professional background includes senior statutory roles within Local Authorities, work as a Children’s Guardian and Family Court Adviser for Cafcass, and substantial prior clinical experience in mental health and psychotherapy in the United States. Alongside my court work, I have significant academic experience as a lecturer and practice educator on undergraduate and postgraduate social work programmes. and I am currently pursuing further doctoral-level study in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

I have provided reports and given evidence in every Family Court in Greater London and in courts across England and Wales, and my written reports and evidence to the Court have been positively evaluated in several reported judgments.

Download CV
Download CV

  • "I am grateful...to Mx Baker for their thoughtful, balanced, and child-focused evidence."

    — District Judge, Private Law proceedings, 2025

  • "As far as the oral evidence is concerned, I formed the impression that Jeffrey Baker was a hugely impressive witness. Their report, it was clear to me, was clearly independent, uninfluenced and impartial. They are an expert."

    — District Judge, Private Law proceedings, 2021

  • "...the judge was highly complimentary of your report and evidence in his judgment. He made it very clear that you were not in the slightest bit biased or unfair and that you had shown great intelligence, insight and experience and that he found you very impressive. Thank you so much for all your hard work in this case.”

    — Solicitor in Private Law proceedings, 2019

  • "Thank you for all of your help and support over the last few months, it really has changed mine and the kids lives. I didn’t think I’d ever see them again properly. Can’t ever thank you enough!"

    — Parent, Private Law proceedings, 2025

  • "I accept Mx Baker’s assessment of the mother, which I found to be balanced and fair...I accept many of the observations...about the value for the court of Mx Baker’s evidence."

    — Circuit Judge, Public Law proceedings, 2017

  • "The thoroughness, thoughfulness and nuance of your report was highly praised by the Judge and my counsel. Thank you for your professionalism and support through the process."

    — Parent, Private Law proceedings, 2025

  • "I would like to record my thanks, on [the child's] behalf, for your report, which was instrumental in helping to achieve this outcome."

    — Barrister for the child, Public Law proceedings, 2019

magnifying icon for areas of special interest in independent social worker services

Core Instructions/ Specialist Experience

  • High-conflict private law proceedings

  • Child Arrangements (interim assessment/final arrangements)

  • Allegations of alienating behaviours

  • Relocations (domestic/international)

  • Domestic abuse and coercive control

  • Neurodiversity (Autism, ASD, ADHD)

  • Alcohol and substance misuse

  • Reintroductions and Supporting Contact arrangements

  • Parental mental health and personality disorder

  • Physical, emotional and sexual abuse; neglect

  • LGBTQ+ children and families

  • Adoption

Court scales icon showing judicial recognition of independent social worker services

Judicial Recognition

  • Prospective Adopters v A London Borough v Parents (2017), HHJ Rowe, Family Court at Barnet

  • London Borough v X (2019) (Wardship; Parental Responsibility; Deprivation of Liberty)

  • Mother v Father (International Relocation) (2025), HHJ Robertson, Central Family Court

  • X v Y (Internal Relocation; Child Arrangements; School Placement) (2025), DJ Barrie, Central Family Court