Blog

“I’ve found my purpose - helping parents be heard in the conversations that shape our education system. 

For too long, I’ve watched families struggle to navigate a system that wasn’t built with their children in mind. From my early days working in an autism-specific services to later roles in older people’s care services, I’ve come to realise that what drives me is not just Additional Support Needs — it’s the urgent need for deep, structural reform. Reform that centres people, not systems. Voices, not paperwork. 

Recently, I have had the honour of working directly with parents and carers whose top priority is to make the system work better for children with ASN. I’ve been privileged to support members of the Scottish Assembly of Parents and Carers who are dedicated to this mission, and it’s been one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional life. 

These parents aren’t just contributors to a process — they are the process. They bring raw honesty, rich insight, and relentless passion to every discussion. They know the system inside out because they’ve lived it: the late-night battles for support, the endless forms, the phone calls, the missed milestones, and the quiet grief of watching their children be misunderstood. And still, they show up — for their own kids and for so many others. 

What’s stood out most is the commitment to listening. Not just hearing but listening. Truly sitting with what’s said — even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve sat in rooms where stories poured out like the floodgates opening. Pain, resilience, fear, and hope all woven into words that demanded to be heard. And I’ve seen what happens when those words are met not with silence, but with action. 

For me, this work is far more than policies or procedures. It’s about people. It’s about making sure families are not just consulted, but centred. Because when families speak, they don’t just share problems — they bring the solutions. Lived experience is not a side note. It’s the heart of change. 

But this isn't just about the parents and carers. It’s about the children. Children who face daily battles most people never see — or even believe. Children masking their pain and anxiety to “get through” the school day. Children being labelled as difficult when they are simply overwhelmed. Children whose needs are misunderstood or dismissed, who are made to feel “less than” in environments meant to nurture them. Children who start to believe the system’s failure is in some way, their own. 

These battles are real. And they are unfair. No child should have to fight to be included, to be supported, to be understood. No child should be made to feel that they are the problem. 

That’s why parent voice matters so much. Because behind every tired, determined parent is a child who deserves better. 

My role is to walk alongside these parents — to support, amplify, and make sure their words carry weight in the rooms where decisions are made. I create space and together we will challenge the status quo. I make sure that when their voices are raised, they are not only heard, but respected. 

And this work is deeply personal. My daughter is my world — strong, determined, and more than capable of standing up for herself (I hope) just like her mum. But I often wonder: What if she couldn’t? What if I didn’t have the tools, the confidence, or the knowledge to fight for her? Too many parents are left feeling voiceless, overwhelmed, and alone. That shouldn’t be the norm.  

I carry those parents with me — every story, every fear, every triumph. I think about the families who’ve said they feel invisible. About how exhausting it is to fight every day for what should be basic rights. I carry those voices into every meeting and into every conversation. 

And I’m proud. Proud of the small steps we’ve taken so far. Proud of the safe spaces we’ve made where families can speak and be heard. Proud of the fierce, compassionate group of parents and carers I work with — their determination humbles me every day. 

I’m also incredibly grateful for the support around me. For many, many years my colleagues at Connect have shown unwavering belief in the importance of parent voice, providing not just practical help but true solidarity. Their encouragement has made this work not only possible, but sustainable. And I must thank the Scottish Government team as well — for listening, for opening space for us, and for recognising that lasting change starts with those who live the system every day. Their willingness to engage with honesty and humility gives me hope. And I am hopeful change is coming.... 

It’s time for a system that hears parents, honours children’s needs, and puts families first. 

Because when we lift the voices of those most affected, we all rise. 

And finally, to our Assembly members -  we are only just getting started........”