Start with your story.
A first conversation about what’s happening for your family and the support you’re looking for.
Parent-led guidance · Dubai & the UAE
Unicus Collective. A clearer path.
A little less
alone.
Practical guidance for parents of neurodivergent children, from school conversations to the next steps at home.
Non-clinical support. Real-life understanding.
A small place to begin
What’s on your
mind today?
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Let’s start with one thing.
A starting point, not another assessment.
A parent-led perspective
Practical, personal guidance
Alongside your professionals
Based in Dubai, for UAE families
01 A place to start
You don’t need
all the answers.
Just start with what’s on your mind. Choose a situation to explore a possible first step.
Does this sound familiar?
“We have a report.
How do we turn it into support at school?”
There’s a lot to take in. You’d like to understand how the recommendations can inform your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), with clear goals and support that makes sense in the classroom.
Your possible starting point
From report to school support
- Identify your child’s strengths, needs and priorities.
- Prepare questions about IEP goals and classroom support.
- Plan what to discuss with school and how progress will be reviewed.
Does this sound familiar?
“I’d like someone alongside me.”
You are looking for a listening ear and practical guidance as your family’s questions and priorities change.
Your possible starting point
Ongoing parent mentoring
- Talk through the challenges on your mind.
- Break priorities into manageable actions.
- Reflect on what is working and what comes next.
Does this sound familiar?
“My child has an IEP. Is it making a difference day to day?”
You would like help understanding the practical questions to raise about your child’s learning or support plan.
Your possible starting point
Learning plan guidance
- Identify the priorities that matter to your family.
- Prepare questions about everyday support.
- Plan how to discuss progress with the school.
Does this sound familiar?
“How do I prepare for a school meeting?”
You want to explain what matters, ask useful questions and agree practical next steps with your child’s school.
Your possible starting point
School conversation support
- Organise the priorities you want to discuss.
- Prepare questions for a constructive conversation.
- Agree the next steps and how to review them.
A guide to possible support, not a clinical assessment.
Not sure where you fit? Let’s talkClear scope. Agreed fees. No surprises.
We’ll discuss the right support, format and fees before you decide to go ahead with any paid work.
A real person, beside you
Yvonne
Barker-Layton
Yvonne Barker-LaytonFounder, Unicus Collective
02 Meet your guide
A parent first.
A guide beside you.
I’m Yvonne. As a parent of two neurodivergent children, I know how much there can be to navigate, and how personal every decision feels.
Unicus brings that lived experience together with my background in school governance and mentoring. My role is to help you get organised, prepare for conversations and find a way forward that makes sense for your family.
Grounded in lived experience
My perspective starts with parenting two neurodivergent children. Your family’s experience will be your own, and understanding it is where we begin.
A school-governance perspective
With seven years of board experience as a Chair of Governors, Vice Chair, and Trustee with a specialist focus on inclusion, I know the legal frameworks and how school decisions are made behind closed doors. Having lived the journey of advocating and fighting as a parent myself, I bridge the gap between institutional governance and real-life reality—giving families the clarity and strategy they need to partner effectively with schools
Mentoring, Life coaching and Advocate
I am a qualified mentor and life coach. I also bring 25 years of corporate experience, a separate part of my background that shapes my practical, organised approach.
03 Small steps, together
From “where do I start?”
to a next step.
No need for the perfect explanation. We’ll start where you are and keep things practical.
Agree the right support.
Understand what’s included, the format and the fees before you commit to any paid work.
Take one practical step.
Come away with priorities, questions or actions you can use in everyday life.
Support alongside your child’s education and healthcare professionals, not a replacement for them.
04 A little more clarity
Good questions.
Straight answers.
It’s important to know what this support is, and what it isn’t.
Ask Yvonne a questionDo we need a diagnosis to get in touch?
You can start a conversation whether you are noticing differences, working through reports or already have support in place. We’ll talk about what you need and whether Unicus is a suitable fit.
Is this therapy or a clinical service?
No. Unicus offers parent-led, non-clinical guidance and mentoring. It does not provide medical diagnoses, clinical assessments or therapy. Support works alongside, rather than replaces, advice from your child’s qualified professionals.
Can you help with a school meeting?
Support can include organising your priorities, preparing questions and discussing whether meeting attendance would be appropriate. The scope of any involvement is agreed in advance, with the school’s agreement where needed.
How much does the support cost?
The scope, format and fees are discussed before you agree to paid support. Start by telling me a little about what you need, and we can explore an appropriate proposal. Contact me to discuss the support you need.
Should I send reports with my first enquiry?
No, please keep your first enquiry brief. Don’t include reports, medical information or your child’s identifying details. We can discuss an appropriate way to share any documents that are genuinely needed at a later stage.
What about a change of school or life stage?
Planning a school change or a transition towards adulthood can bring a different set of questions. Tell me a little about your situation so we can discuss the support you’re looking for and whether it is within Unicus’s scope.
One conversation is a start
You don’t have to
work it all out
today.
Start with what feels difficult. We’ll work out whether Unicus is the right support for your family.
Let’s talk about your next stepPrefer to write?
A note is a good
place to start.
A few lines about what you’re looking for are enough. Please leave out reports or sensitive details for now.
yvonne@unicus.aeOpens your email app. Nothing is sent automatically.
