Employees at ILF Scotland have shared how flexible working has transformed their family lives, wellbeing and careers after the organisation was named 'Best for All-Round Flexibility' at the Working Families Best Practice Awards 2026.
Based in Livingston, ILF Scotland provides funding and support to help disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland live independently. The award recognises its commitment to building a culture of trust and flexibility, enabling employees to thrive both at work and at home.
For Independent Living Assessor Lisa McAuslan from Ayrshire, flexible working has been life changing. Lisa, who has two neurodivergent children, said ILF Scotland's support has helped her to continue her career while meeting her family's needs.
She said: “Flexible working makes me feel trusted, empowered and able to be the parent my children need me to be.
“My children sometimes struggle with school attendance, and Mondays were a particular challenge following the weekend. I was worried I might have to reduce my working hours, but ILF Scotland supported me completely.
“The pressure I used to feel on a Sunday evening and Monday morning has completely gone, allowing me to focus on supporting my children.
"Knowing I can attend health or education appointments when needed, and adjust my work around them, has reduced a huge amount of stress while allowing me to continue in a profession that is an important part of my identity, alongside being a mum. It has made an amazing difference."
Another employee, Head of Finance, Nadeem Hanif from Livingston, said flexible working has significantly improved both his family life and mental wellbeing.
He explained: “Just knowing I can do what needs to be done without worrying about work is worth its weight in gold.
“At ILF Scotland, flexible working is fully embedded in the culture. You can see the commitment comes right from the top and I'm grateful to work somewhere that values it so highly.
“It's improved my mental health and given me better quality time with my family. As a father of young children, that's vital. Having true flexibility has also enabled my wife to continue her career by allowing us to share childcare responsibilities."
While the awards predominately focus on support for parents and carers, ILF Scotland says its flexible working culture is designed to benefit every member of staff.
Independent Living Caseworker, Danielle Dunlop, from Livingston, said flexibility has had a positive impact on both her physical and mental health.
She said: "From my first day, I was trusted to manage my hours in a way that works for me. That freedom has been fantastic and is strongly encouraged throughout the organisation.
"I don't feel stressed about having to be logged on at a certain time or worrying about staying late. Instead, I feel valued and respected in my role.
"It means I can attend appointments, take a longer break if I need one, or just step away from my desk when needed. As a result, I'm more productive when I am working.
“I especially see the benefit during winter, when I can take time during daylight hours to exercise. That's something I've never been able to do in previous jobs, and it has had a huge positive impact on my wellbeing.”
The Working Families Best Practice Awards celebrate employers that go above and beyond to support parents and carers through flexible and family-friendly policies.
Aileen McNiven, Director of Business Services at ILF Scotland, said: "We're incredibly proud to receive this recognition, but what matters most is hearing directly from our staff about the positive difference flexible working makes to their lives.
"ILF Scotland is dedicated to being a life-friendly employer where people are empowered to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. In turn, this helps us deliver better outcomes for disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
"We will continue listening, learning and improving to provide the best possible experience for our staff and ultimately, the Recipients of our funding."
