How can workplaces support parents of children with ADHD? In this episode, co-hosts Rebecca Walker and Diane are joined by PR consultant and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) advocate, Nicola McKelvey, as part of our ADHD Awareness Month series exploring “The Many Faces of ADHD.” Nicola shares her personal journey as a working parent of a child with ADHD, uncovering the unique challenges, unexpected moments, and crucial workplace support that can make all the difference.

They dig into the unpredictability of parenting a child with ADHD while balancing a career, the importance of open conversations with employers, and creative approaches like “adjustment leave.” Nicola also shares practical examples of flexibility and “scaffolding,” and why these matter so much for retaining talented employees. The conversation highlights the value of empathetic leadership, real partnership between employers and parents, and offers encouragement for organisations to be truly flexible not just ticking the box.

Here are the highlights:

00:00 Introduction to the “Many Faces of ADHD” series

01:22 Meet Nicola: Working in communications and parenting two boys, one with ADHD

02:03 Why being a working parent of a child with SEND is “doubly hard”

03:47 Navigating unpredictable moments: From school emergencies to flexible work arrangements

06:35 The power of advocacy and peer support

08:13 “Scaffolding” children and employees: Building supportive structures at home and work

11:00Flexibility redefined: From face time to outcome-based working and the need for a “menu” of support options

14:03 Redefining success at work while parenting a neurodiverse child

16:27 Challenges with shared parental responsibility and lack of summer childcare provision

18:25 The need for communication and understanding: Flexibility ≠ underperformance

19:51 Nicola’s advice: Be truly flexible, listen, and tailor support to individuals

About Nicola:

With 25 years’ comms experience, Nicola has worked both in-house and in agencies across multiple sectors such as financial services, FMCG and retail and in countries including the UK, Nordics and Australia and New Zealand.

For the past ten years, Nicola has been self-employed, working with a range of clients including Women’s Sport Trust and ASICS as well as freelancing with different PR agencies on projects including Women's Ashes and Women's Rugby World Cup 2021.

Nicola is a mum of two boys, the youngest of whom has a diagnosis of ADHD and ASD. In her spare time, Nicola set up and runs a women’s football team which won the inaugural season of the Surrey FA Women's Flexi-League in 2022/2023.

Connect with Nicola:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-mckelvey/

Connect with us at Headflex:

Email: [email protected].

Website: www.headflex.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/head.flex/

Connect with Rebecca Walker: www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccawalker13/

Connect with Diane Williams: www.linkedin.com/in/dianewilliams1

Produced by Winter Audio