Christiana Parsons, a mum of two, has a background in teaching but has also had to navigate the world of SEND as a parent after her daughter was born with a rare condition four years ago.
She hopes to use her background and lived experience to help signpost families to the right support and services that are available to meet their needs.
“Becoming a parent carer has completely changed how I see the world,” explained Christiana. “It’s taught me strength I didn’t know I had and shown me just how powerful parent voices can be when we come together.
“My little girl is very precious to us. She was born with a rare condition called Miller–Dieker Syndrome so she has very complex medical needs. It has been a bit of a journey with being in and out of hospital, but she is a little fighter.
“I know how isolating and overwhelming it can feel at times, but I also know the difference that kindness, good communication and genuine partnership can make.”
When she came across the job advert for Kent PACT, Christiana said she was “drawn to the position” as it felt like where she needed to be.
She added: “I was just completely blown away by the fact that Kent PACT is run by parents, for parents. As a parent myself, with lived experience, I understand firsthand how hard the system is to navigate.
“There's so much out there that Kent has to offer, but if you're not signposted, or if you don't know who to talk to, it can be really isolating so I also want to be a voice for others.”
Kent PACT collaborates closely with Kent County Council (KCC) through a process called co-production - a way of working where families and professionals partner as equals. Together, we design, develop, and review services to ensure they reflect the real needs and experiences of children, young people, and their families.
While Christiana is settling into her role, she said one of the things she is looking forward to the most is “being able to translate the parent and carers voice into meaningful data” that leads to real life results.
Kent PACT offers a range of support and services to empower and connect families of children and young people with SEND across Kent.
These include peer support, where parents and carers can share experiences and advice with others who understand and can relate to their journey.
Through courses, training and webinars, families gain knowledge and confidence to navigate the SEND system and advocate for their children effectively.
Additionally, Kent PACT provides signposting to relevant resources, organisations, and services ensuring families can access the right help at the right time.
