Our dedicated team have a range of skills and knowledge, but all have the passion and drive to achieve the best possible outcome for each client.
Senior Consultant – Michelle Counley
Michelle has been the driving force of NACSA since 1995 and is now a prominent figure in the field of child maintenance. Her career began as a single parent navigating the complexities of the original Child Support Agency. Over the years Michelle has become a leading advocate for parents championing the rights of parents navigating the complexities of the child support system. Her work brings clarity, confidence and justice to families who often feel unheard or unsupported.
Michelle is widely respected for her ability to translate complex policy into practical support enabling parents to take back the control of their situation. She delivers free Q&A sessions to parent groups, to specialist training to family solicitors ensuring child maintenance legislation and regulatory processes are known throughout financial remedy proceedings.
Michelle represents clients through CMS Tribunals. From preparation of case files to presenting evidence and drafting statements, and advocating at the hearing if required.
Michelle also works alongside family lawyers for clients making applications under Schedule 1 Children’s Act 1989.
Michelle is the author of “Child Support Handbook”, published annually by the Child Poverty Action Group. This handbook serves as a vital resource for understanding child maintenance laws and procedures, and used by family lawyers, barristers and other advisory services.
Consultant – Libby Smith
Libby has been a consultant with NACSA since 2008 and serves as both our Client Representation Manager and a long standing member of the consultancy team. Over the years, she has contributed her expertise to advisory group discussions and plays a key role in supporting Michelle with the publication of the Child Support Handbook.
Libby specialises in cases involving parents with complex income arrangements, bringing clarity and structure to situations that often require detailed financial understanding. Her extensive knowledge of child maintenance legislation and procedures enables her to carry out thorough case audits and debt audits, ensuring accuracy and fairness in CMS assessments.
She also provides essential early-stage support for parents preparing to enter tribunal proceedings, helping them understand the process, identify key issues, and approach their case with confidence. Libby’s depth of knowledge, and steady guidance make her an invaluable asset to parents facing intricate or high‑stakes child maintenance challenges.
Consultant – Laura Vale
Laura has been a valued member of the NACSA team since 2007. With a deep and comprehensive understanding of the Child Maintenance Service process, she provides vital support to parents, guiding them through every stage from initial queries to navigating the full complaints procedure to help secure accurate and fair child maintenance outcomes.
Laura has developed a particular expertise in CMS enforcement actions. Her proactive approach and detailed knowledge have been instrumental in preventing numerous unjust enforcement measures, including Liability Orders, Lump Sum Deduction Orders and Charging Orders.
She also brings strong insight into the complex rules surrounding disputed paternity and benefit-related issues, offering parents clear, informed guidance on how these factors may influence their CMS case. Laura’s combination of technical expertise and unwavering commitment makes her an essential advocate for parents facing challenging and often stressful CMS situations.
Consultant – Kerrie Pallett
Kerrie joined NACSA in 2021 as our first point of contact for families, managing all incoming enquiries and coordinating appointments with our specialist consultants. From the outset, she showed a natural commitment to supporting parents—particularly those navigating the complexities of shared care and equal care arrangements.
Her dedication and aptitude quickly became evident, and she has since progressed into the role of NACSA’s Regulation 50 Specialist. In this capacity, Kerrie provides expert guidance to clients seeking clarity on shared care arrangements and the specific circumstances that may bring a child maintenance liability to an end under Regulation 50 of the Child Support Maintenance Calculation Regulations 2012.
Kerrie’s blend of technical knowledge, practical insight, and genuine empathy makes her an invaluable resource for parents facing some of the most challenging aspects of the child maintenance system.
Client Services Team
Our Client Support Team plays a vital role in ensuring every parent who contacts NACSA receives a seamless, reassuring, and well‑coordinated experience. As the backbone of our consultancy service, they work closely with our specialist consultants to make sure each client is guided efficiently from their first enquiry through to the resolution of their case.
This dedicated team manages the day‑to‑day flow of client communications, schedules consultations, prepares case information, and ensures that every parent is connected with the right expertise at the right time. Their attention to detail, calm professionalism, and commitment to high‑quality service allow our consultants to focus fully on delivering expert advice and representation.
With a blend of organisational skill, empathy, and deep understanding of the challenges parents face, the Client Support Team ensures that no client feels overlooked or unsupported. They are the steady, reliable presence that keeps NACSA running smoothly and ensures every parent receives the care, clarity, and respect they deserve.
