Talk to me, Goose

Reflection has always been a huge part of my learning experience, as it is for all of us. So here's a few thoughts at the end of one journey and the beginning of another that I think are just as useful in work as they are in 'real life'.

It's a day of big and mixed emotions for me today. The overwhelming feeling is pride, but there's a lot of other stuff in there as well, including anger, frustration and sorrow.

Like many people at this time of year (at least for those of us based in the UK), I see my kids heading to school for their first day - either for another year of bigger, bolder adventures for my eldest, or for the very first time in reception class for my youngest. And it's the journey that we've been through to get my youngest to where she is today that is my main source of reflection. Hers is not my story to tell, but mine is, and if that story helps anyone else in even the smallest way, then I'l be happy.

Getting the right specialist care for those who are most in need is HARD. The bureaucracy and paperwork is overwhelming, all surrounding a topic that is emotionally draining in the first place. So let's unpack a few insights and reflections that I hope may add value to others going through something similar:

• Process, process, process

Half of the battle is knowing what the process is in the first place. Find out as much as you can, and like any good project, work 'from right to left' - with the end goal in mind, and working backwards.

• Get help

Help is out there, and it comes in many different forms. From the emotional support of friends and family, practical support for helping to give you the time and headspace to do what's needed, to more 'specialist' support from those who have navigated similar journeys and come out fighting on the other side. And if my journey is anything to go by, the next step is key to finding out that half of this help exists...

• Talk

Put yourself out there, share your story and be honest & vulnerable. Some of the key connections that we have had to help us through have come from random conversations. If it hadn't been for chats on the sidelines of the football pitch with other parents we wouldn't have even heard of the amazing specialist school that we've ended up at, even though it's (unbelievably) only 5 minutes drive away. And I certainly didn't know that there were specialist advocates who provide the legal support to help argue your case and keep the authorities to account.

If in doubt, talk to me! I may not know about your specific situation, and I may not be any sort of legal expert (or indeed any other kind of expert!), but I'll happily listen, and will share my thoughts, experiences, insights and networks if they can help.