A Monifieth mum has won a national award for her work in campaigning for disabled children.
Beth Morrison won the Special Award for Outstanding Achievement after her campaign to introduce guidelines on restriction and seclusion of children in schools.
She mum was presented with her award at the British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) International PBS Conference this week.
She began her campaign after her son Calum came home with unexplained injuries from Kingspark school for disabled children in Dundee.
Beth said: “I shared the opening of the conference with Ben Higgins CEO of BILD and we shared Calum’s video.
“I then spoke about the petition, why I decided to take my campaign to the Scottish Government and what has happened since.
“I was privileged to meet and listen to worldwide experts give their presentations on Positive Behaviour Support.
“I took part in workshops and spoke at length with people who felt exactly the same way I do and if there was ever any doubt that we might not be doing the right thing, that has completely vanished now.
“Staff who use sanctions and punishments in order to control behaviour in children with disabilities need to realise that it doesn’t work.
“You cannot punish disability out of a child and it’s cruel to even try.
“When I got up to collect the award I had my back to everyone.
“Ben Higgins, CEO from BILD said, ‘turn around, look behind you’ and when I did, every single person was on their feet! I couldn’t believe it.
“I went to the conference as just a mum and felt that I left as part of the BILD family.
“It’s given me a renewed focus and energy to keep going and take the campaign to the next level.
“I’d like to see all schools who care for children with disabilities make sure their staff get the correct training and support.
“I want to make that happen. It’s the right thing to do.”
Beth added that during the conference she was invited to speak at similar events all over the UK and is set to travel to Wales soon for her work.
