Our Why and Values

Arlene is an experienced and accomplished Director with over 15 years’ experience leading complex health and social care service operations from inception to successful conclusion. She has demonstrable expertise in building, mentoring and coaching top performing teams.

Before founding Roots & Wings Social Care, Arlene was Managing Director for a residential childcare company that supported children and young people affected by trauma, abuse and neglect. She was responsible for 18 residential children’s homes and two schools across Scotland. Prior to this, Arlene worked for 10 years for one of Scotland’s leading social care charities, predominantly in children, young people and families services. 

Her health and social care career began in Northern Ireland where Arlene was a Care Assistant working in residential care and hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals. She moved to Scotland in 2001 to study Psychology and gained a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Forensic Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University. 

Arlene has completed a Life Coaching Diploma and a Diploma in Cross Professional Supervision with the Institute of Pastoral Supervision and Reflective Practice. 

Arlene lives in Glasgow with her husband Euan and their two young children. 

Arlene is registered with the British Psychological Society and adheres to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics and Regulatory Standards. Career Coach / Online Coach / One to one Coaching.

Heather is an experienced Teacher with 15 years’ experience within the mainstream and severe and complex needs sectors. She has worked alongside management to develop School Improvement Priorities / plans and has led on a variety of different projects and curricular areas during this time.  She is passionate about the development of literacy in young people and has played a pivotal role in developing literacy programmes, for a variety of different year groups and needs. Heather has experience and interest in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and creating Total Communication environments.

She has discovered the benefits of supervision in her professional and personal life and is using the cross professional supervision model through her work in social care and outwith to help others unlock their potential and take control of their life choices. Heather is focused on bringing about positive change in the lives of anyone she works with and this is reflective in her Coaching and Supervision styles. 

Before beginning her career in Teaching, Heather studied for a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies, majoring in Psychology, at Glasgow Caledonian University. Heather then went on to achieve a PGDE Certificate in Primary Teaching, with a Merit in Teaching. Heather has successfully completed a Diploma in Life Coaching and is undertaking a Mindfulness Diploma too. Heather has also completed a Certificate in Essential Supervision Skills in Clinical Supervision, which is approved by the British Psychological Society and a Certificate in Cross Professional Supervision with the Institute of Pastoral Supervision and Reflective Practice.  Heather is currently undertaking Mental Health First Aid training to further enhance her work around wellbeing.

Heather adheres to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics and Regulatory Standards.  Career Coach/Online Coach/One to one Coaching. 

Paul is an experienced coach and facilitator providing conscious leadership programmes to all levels of an organisation providing expertise to a number of high performing teams across many sectors including manufacturing, construction, call centres, and technology.

Paul is also an experienced designer and creator of Learning Management Systems allowing learning to take place at the convenience of the clients.

As a former Royal Marine, he deployed around the globe gaining experience in the military philosophy of mission command. This philosophy, which is based on centralised intent with decentralised execution, promotes the freedom to speak up, the sharing of ideas, and encouraging initiative and forms the framework around which the much wider spectrum of conscious leadership is wrapped.

Paul has two degrees and is completing his coaching courses to become an ICF accredited coach in Transformational Coaching.

Paul adheres to the International Coaching Federation Code of Ethics and Regulatory Standards.  Career Coach/Online Coach/One to one Coaching. 

Ben has worked in Health and Social Care for over 13 years. He began his career as a Support Worker for children with autism and disabilities and progressed through studying and career promotions into management in children, young people and families services.

Ben has worked in Scotland and Canada with people who have a range of abilities and needs and who have been impacted by trauma in their life.

After managing services for a few years Ben pursed a change of role as a training manager and SVQ assessor.    Ben believes in the power of supporting staff through learning, development, coaching and mentoring to ensure they feel supported, valued and empowered to support the children and young people in their care.

Ben is so passionate about caring for people and believes everyone should be aware of their rights and be empowered to achieve their needs, wishes and goals in life.

Ben also believes that a positive and nurturing approach to life is imperative to support people on their healing, growing and transformative journeys.

Nicola has worked in health and social care for 16 years and started in the community, caring for adults. Working with people with addictions, learning disabilities and older people. 

After returning to college to complete her HNC in social services, Nicola moved into education as a support worker for children with neurological conditions and complex needs. This is where she found her passion for communication and ensuring that every child has a voice. 

She has completed training in various communication systems including, podd, eye gaze, Tobii Dyno Vox, Makaton and pecs. She was previously a communication champion and worked with the head teacher to ensure the UNRC was displayed and taught in a way that met the student’s needs. 

Nicola believes that given the correct support and care, every child can access the tools to ensure their voice is heard.

I first heard the phrase ‘Roots & Wings’ in relation to parenting and how parents want their children to have roots to cling to and wings to fly.

Most of us are still striving to find our roots and our wings and discovering them is part of the ongoing journey of life.

We all have our roots – what’s really going on underneath the surface, our health and wellbeing and how we’re really feeling and living. To flourish, we need healthy and stable roots as our foundation. 

Transformational coaching gives your roots a health check and works out what needs attention and focus so that you can move forward, make changes and achieve your goals. 

Wings and flying is what happens when you are living the dream you had for your life!

I have direct experience of stress and burnout and I know first-hand the demands of juggling family life and a career. I’m keen to use my own work and life experiences and knowledge to empower and support others on their transformational journeys.

Arlene