Prof Ruth Patrick
@ruthpatrick0.bsky.social
Professor of Social & Public Policy at University of Glasgow
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Perimenopausal | neurodivergent | navigating parenting kids with SEND
Pinned
Yesterday, over 60 of us fr @changingrealities.bsky.social came together in @10dowingstreet.bsky.social for a reception at which the PM & @darrenpjones.bsky.social thanked us for our efforts to push for action on child poverty. Together, we can make change happen. But this is just the beginning.
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Ex-Ofsted Chair Amanda Spielman showing a truly shocking ignorance: “We need to take care that we’re not characterising having to make an effort as proof of a special need.” (And that’s just the start)
www.politicshome.com/news/ar...
www.politicshome.com/news/ar...
Ex-Ofsted Chair Amanda Spielman Interview: SEND, Gentle Parenting And Ruth Perry
Conservative peer and former Ofsted chair Baroness Spielman talks to Sienna Rodgers about the SEND crisis, her time at the regulator and why some p...
www.politicshome.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Ex-Ofsted Chair Amanda Spielman showing a truly shocking ignorance: “We need to take care that we’re not characterising having to make an effort as proof of a special need.” (And that’s just the start)
www.politicshome.com/news/ar...
www.politicshome.com/news/ar...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
🧵 NEW: Our report 'Listen and learn' sets out how the Government should improve Universal Credit (UC) for the 15 million people who rely on it.
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
13 years after its roll-out began, it’s time to get UC right.
We've co-produced recommendations with @changingrealities.bsky.social participants 👇
January 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
For future reference, this is what a Universal Credit review looks like 👇
🧵 on new analysis w/ @resolutionfoundation.org on why if Universal Credit is to be improved it is time to ‘listen and learn’ to experts like@changingrealities.bsky.social
For more on why govts should move from a ‘test and learn’ to a ‘listen and learn’ approach 📚 academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
For more on why govts should move from a ‘test and learn’ to a ‘listen and learn’ approach 📚 academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
January 29, 2026 at 4:31 PM
🧵 on new analysis w/ @resolutionfoundation.org on why if Universal Credit is to be improved it is time to ‘listen and learn’ to experts like@changingrealities.bsky.social
For more on why govts should move from a ‘test and learn’ to a ‘listen and learn’ approach 📚 academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
For more on why govts should move from a ‘test and learn’ to a ‘listen and learn’ approach 📚 academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Today we launch our co-produced report with Resolution Foundation. Participants from CR shaped many of the discussions and recommendations that you will find within the report. We call for structural and cultural changes to UC that could drastically improve interactions with the system. Read below👇
🚨 New report! 🚨
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
The Government must increase trust in Universal Credit as full roll out brings 15 million people into the system.
Listen and learn, produced in partnership with @changingrealities.bsky.social, draws on testimony from UC claimants and welfare advisors ⤵️ buff.ly/TjrE4OW
January 29, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Today we launch our co-produced report with Resolution Foundation. Participants from CR shaped many of the discussions and recommendations that you will find within the report. We call for structural and cultural changes to UC that could drastically improve interactions with the system. Read below👇
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
‘All Scottish children need extra help, not just babies’
The Scottish Child Payment increase for babies is welcome, but costs of childhood do not end when they turn one, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and Ilona Pinter for @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
The Scottish Child Payment increase for babies is welcome, but costs of childhood do not end when they turn one, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and Ilona Pinter for @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
All Scottish children need extra help, not just babies
EVERY day, around 125 babies are born in Scotland. Each new life represents a new beginning but also significant, and often scary, changes for their…
www.thenational.scot
January 28, 2026 at 8:55 AM
‘All Scottish children need extra help, not just babies’
The Scottish Child Payment increase for babies is welcome, but costs of childhood do not end when they turn one, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and Ilona Pinter for @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
The Scottish Child Payment increase for babies is welcome, but costs of childhood do not end when they turn one, writes @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social and Ilona Pinter for @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
"It was right to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for babies. But they should have been braver and increased it for all children on a low income" Read @ilonapin.bsky.social and @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social new piece in @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
All Scottish children need extra help, not just babies
EVERY day, around 125 babies are born in Scotland. Each new life represents a new beginning but also significant, and often scary, changes for their…
www.thenational.scot
January 22, 2026 at 5:25 PM
"It was right to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for babies. But they should have been braver and increased it for all children on a low income" Read @ilonapin.bsky.social and @ruthpatrick0.bsky.social new piece in @scotnational.bsky.social
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
On this blue Monday, it was cheering to meet @samaritans.bsky.social volunteers at various points in the day! So thankful to each of them for the vital work they do, day in & day out. Needed more than ever as our mental health support services continue to crumble.
January 19, 2026 at 9:37 PM
On this blue Monday, it was cheering to meet @samaritans.bsky.social volunteers at various points in the day! So thankful to each of them for the vital work they do, day in & day out. Needed more than ever as our mental health support services continue to crumble.
End of working week but this article from @madeleinepower.bsky.socialn is a must-read. A plethora of names to describe 'food aid' conceals the reality they're all experienced as food banks, with the key fault line not *type* of provision but *demographic* factors www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Free and equal? The realities of lived experiences of food aid in the UK | Journal of Social Policy | Cambridge Core
Free and equal? The realities of lived experiences of food aid in the UK
www.cambridge.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:52 PM
End of working week but this article from @madeleinepower.bsky.socialn is a must-read. A plethora of names to describe 'food aid' conceals the reality they're all experienced as food banks, with the key fault line not *type* of provision but *demographic* factors www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Start the year with compassion & empathy. And with a commitment to go further for lasting change on child poverty. Please read & share this powerful blog from Beauty, a mother and campaigner working with us on @changingrealities.bsky.social
"As a mother, my heart swelled with pride. But as an advocate, I felt something even deeper: a reassuring reminder that this country still has space for compassion..." Why we [continue to] do this work, a blog by Beauty reflecting on a visit to No.10: www.changingrealities.org/blog/hope-at...
On December 18, 2025, I stepped through the iconic black door of No. 10 Downing Street, carrying more than just a diary appointment. I brought with me hope, memories, and the quiet weight of every family whose story has intertwined with the mission we pursue at Changing Realities.
www.changingrealities.org
January 7, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Start the year with compassion & empathy. And with a commitment to go further for lasting change on child poverty. Please read & share this powerful blog from Beauty, a mother and campaigner working with us on @changingrealities.bsky.social
What a great team!!! Wishing you all so well with the project. We should meet up some time and discuss all of our shared interests
January 7, 2026 at 9:35 AM
What a great team!!! Wishing you all so well with the project. We should meet up some time and discuss all of our shared interests
Meanwhile, it may be a new year but lots still to reflect on from the last. my first piece of 2026 in @bigissue.com calls on Labour to continue the work it began in 2025 in starting (at long last) to speak about social security as a force for good www.bigissue.com/opinion/bene...
Why the dehumanising narratives around benefits need to stop in 2026
Negative rhetoric around the welfare system can do lasting damage. Ruth Patrick explains what needs to change in the new year.
www.bigissue.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Meanwhile, it may be a new year but lots still to reflect on from the last. my first piece of 2026 in @bigissue.com calls on Labour to continue the work it began in 2025 in starting (at long last) to speak about social security as a force for good www.bigissue.com/opinion/bene...
‘There is solidarity to be found in small movements of people who are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality & prosperity.’
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Ciara Fitzpatrick: Ditch the diet: let’s resolve this New Year to improve all our lives
Small movements of people are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality and prosperity
www.irishnews.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
‘There is solidarity to be found in small movements of people who are working towards a society that will create opportunities for equality & prosperity.’
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Punchy new year piece by @ulsteruni.bsky.social & @safety-nets.bsky.social Ciara Fitzpatrick @irishtimes.com
www.irishnews.com/opinion/ciar...
Reposted by Prof Ruth Patrick
Deep down I feared ... who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
@changingrealities.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69425
@changingrealities.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69425
December 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Deep down I feared ... who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
@changingrealities.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69425
@changingrealities.bsky.social
www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69425
Reflecting on her year as part of @changingrealities.bsky.social Sahar Khan writes: 'deep down though I feared that the voices of me & the parents like me are weak, & that it was all happening for the sake of it. Nothing will change, I worried. And who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
'When I was inside No 10 Downing Street, I felt included & like I was part of something bigger & more powerful than I ever could have imagined. But this is not the end. Next year, we will continue to work for change: hopefully stronger, bigger & better.' www.changingrealities.org/blog/ending-...
So it came as a massive surprise to me that not only were we listened to but some of the things we called for – for example, the removal of the cruel two-child limit – were actually implemented.
www.changingrealities.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Reflecting on her year as part of @changingrealities.bsky.social Sahar Khan writes: 'deep down though I feared that the voices of me & the parents like me are weak, & that it was all happening for the sake of it. Nothing will change, I worried. And who will listen to any of us, and especially to me?
Thanks Scott! Excited to see what 2026 brings. Have a great festive break
December 20, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Thanks Scott! Excited to see what 2026 brings. Have a great festive break
Isn’t it just! A very special way to end the working year
December 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Isn’t it just! A very special way to end the working year
But most of all, the biggest and most heartfelt thanks to the day-in-day-out-incredible parents and carers who make up @changingrealities.bsky.social & the facilitation team who support them, which includes @cpaguk.bsky.social and researchers from @glasgow.ac.uk @lshtm.bsky.social
December 19, 2025 at 5:57 PM
But most of all, the biggest and most heartfelt thanks to the day-in-day-out-incredible parents and carers who make up @changingrealities.bsky.social & the facilitation team who support them, which includes @cpaguk.bsky.social and researchers from @glasgow.ac.uk @lshtm.bsky.social
Thanks to our wider consortium of funders inc @nuffieldfoundation.org @therobertsontrust.bsky.social which enables us to work collaboratively, centring the expertise that comes w/ lived experiences of social security to work for changes to both the substance of policy and to how decisions are made.
December 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Thanks to our wider consortium of funders inc @nuffieldfoundation.org @therobertsontrust.bsky.social which enables us to work collaboratively, centring the expertise that comes w/ lived experiences of social security to work for changes to both the substance of policy and to how decisions are made.
Enormous thanks to @trustforlondon.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social @impurbanhealth.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social @cpaguk.bsky.social for making everyone's attendance at this reception possible, which was a special moment to reflect on a remarkable - if challenging - year
December 19, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Enormous thanks to @trustforlondon.bsky.social @lshtm.bsky.social @impurbanhealth.bsky.social @jrf-uk.bsky.social @cpaguk.bsky.social for making everyone's attendance at this reception possible, which was a special moment to reflect on a remarkable - if challenging - year
Yesterday, over 60 of us fr @changingrealities.bsky.social came together in @10dowingstreet.bsky.social for a reception at which the PM & @darrenpjones.bsky.social thanked us for our efforts to push for action on child poverty. Together, we can make change happen. But this is just the beginning.
December 19, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Yesterday, over 60 of us fr @changingrealities.bsky.social came together in @10dowingstreet.bsky.social for a reception at which the PM & @darrenpjones.bsky.social thanked us for our efforts to push for action on child poverty. Together, we can make change happen. But this is just the beginning.
Ooh thanks! The postal museum looks amazing (but not that cheap). The mail ride sounds fun though!
December 15, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Ooh thanks! The postal museum looks amazing (but not that cheap). The mail ride sounds fun though!
After festive things to do in central London during the daytime that are ideally free and good for neurodivergent kids! Any suggestions much appreciated as I’m finding it hard to come up with ideas 😣🎄🤶
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
After festive things to do in central London during the daytime that are ideally free and good for neurodivergent kids! Any suggestions much appreciated as I’m finding it hard to come up with ideas 😣🎄🤶
Research conducted by a team from @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social @glasgow.ac.uk @manchesterup.bsky.social incl @emmatominey.bsky.social @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social @ilonapin.bsky.social in partnership w/ @cpaguk.bsky.social
Thanks to the parents we interviewed.
[🧵 ends]
Thanks to the parents we interviewed.
[🧵 ends]
December 14, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Research conducted by a team from @lse-sticerd-case.bsky.social @glasgow.ac.uk @manchesterup.bsky.social incl @emmatominey.bsky.social @kittyjstewart.bsky.social @katejandersen.bsky.social @ilonapin.bsky.social in partnership w/ @cpaguk.bsky.social
Thanks to the parents we interviewed.
[🧵 ends]
Thanks to the parents we interviewed.
[🧵 ends]
Our mixed-methods analysis evidences both the good Scottish Child Payment can and does do, & its further potential in meeting @johnswinney.bsky.social ambitious and bold pledge to eradicate child poverty in Scotland familyfinances.study
Home
A collaborative project between the University of Glasgow, University of York,
familyfinances.study
December 14, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Our mixed-methods analysis evidences both the good Scottish Child Payment can and does do, & its further potential in meeting @johnswinney.bsky.social ambitious and bold pledge to eradicate child poverty in Scotland familyfinances.study
Lisa from @changingrealities.bsky.social has described how the Scottish Child Payment has been a game changer for her & her family, given them a & has called on the government to go further in their investment in Scottish Child Payment by increasing its rate cpag.org.uk/news/more-br...
‘More breathing space to enjoy life' - my experience of the Scottish child payment
‘More breathing space to enjoy life' - my experience of the Scottish Child Payment
cpag.org.uk
December 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Lisa from @changingrealities.bsky.social has described how the Scottish Child Payment has been a game changer for her & her family, given them a & has called on the government to go further in their investment in Scottish Child Payment by increasing its rate cpag.org.uk/news/more-br...