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Arrival, refreshments and exhibitor viewing
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Welcome and introduction
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FAMILY HELP Creating the conditions for success in family help
The children’s social care system is in the process of being reformed and the shift to family help is central to the government’s plans. As all local authorities begin to think about tailoring and implementing these reforms locally, this opening session will consider the conditions for success locally and nationally, and to recognise the strengths in the current system we are building from.
Speaker
Executive Director, Children, Families and Education, Essex County Council
Chair of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ Families, Communities and Young People Policy Committee
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VOLUNTARY SECTOR Early help and the role of the voluntary sector
Join Young Westminster Foundation for this session on Early Help in the voluntary sector.
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Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
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PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS Can predictive systems in children’s social care work as intended?
While social work is intrinsically a profession about prediction, recent complex statistical models have been piloted to enhance professional decision making in the UK and internationally. This presentation will explore their prospects in terms of accuracy, whether they answer the right questions and whether they give the right kinds of answers. Delegates will learn how to critically question whether predictive models are right for their local authority or organisation.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose 1A, 1B or 1C)
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1A. NEURODIVERSE CHILDREN Neurodiversity in Hertfordshire: delivering inclusive early support
Presentation
This session will give an overview of the Hertfordshire Neurodiversity offer, co-produced by parents, carers, children, young people and professionals. It will provide insight into the variety of offers delivered in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council, Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board and local voluntary sector providers.
Speakers
Senior Transformation Project Manager, Autism and ADHD Transformation Programme, Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Neurodiversity Health and Care Partnership
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1B. EARLY EDUCATION Working with families to ensure school readiness
Presentation
With the government seeking to ensure that 75% of reception pupils reach a “good level of development” by 2028, the clock is ticking and families are the key. But what really works when it comes to ensuring children are ready for school? This session explores how empowering parents and caregivers as the first and most important educators in a child’s life is critical to improving outcomes, with real-world examples from local authorities.
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1C. EMOTIONAL WELLBEING Face It: Unlocking potential for young people with experience of adverse childhood experiences
Presentation
This session will provide an introduction to the charity Khulisa’s award-winning Face It programme, which works with young people at risk of exclusion or involvement in the criminal justice system. It will detail the impact of the programme and the importance of therapeutically informed, evidence-based interventions in generating better outcomes for children and young people.
Speakers
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Lunch and exhibitor viewing
Break
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IMPROVING ACCESS Opening doors: improving access to early childhood support for families impacted by poverty
Presentation
Research by the NSPCC and Unicef UK found families experiencing poverty in the UK face barriers to accessing early childhood services at every level.
• Hear about the barriers preventing low-income families from accessing early childhood services
• Consider the intersecting inequalities experienced by children and families impacted by poverty
• Take away practical advice on what works well to improve access to support
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (choose 2A, 2B or 2C)
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2A. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE How early intervention after sexual abuse saves lives
Presentation
Families who present as low risk of harm after sexual abuse allegations may initially appear to cope. But without specialist intervention at the earliest opportunity these families reappear in the system years later and with significant challenges. Find out how Restitute, a community interest company, is reducing that risk and keeping families together.
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2B. FAMILY HELP Refocusing child protection to strengthen families’ futures and improve outcomes for children
Presentation
This session will share Lincolnshire’s learning journey as a Pathfinder in implementing the Families First for Children reforms with a focus on child protection. It will highlight how the authority has developed innovative ways to enhance and champion the role of education across child protection. It will also explore how Lincolnshire has developed more effective communication and enhanced relationships between education and other safeguarding partners, leading to improved outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the county.
Speakers
Team Manager Quality and Standards, Service Lead for Child Protection,
Lincolnshire Children's Services
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2C. CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION Preventing the criminal exploitation of children: Our collective responsibility
Presentation
This session will enhance awareness around the criminal exploitation of children. It will consider the collective responsibility of multi-agency partnerships in preventing and protecting children from this type of abuse and how our responses can help or hinder our efforts to prevent children being further harmed as a result of criminal exploitation.
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Refreshments and exhibitor viewing
Break
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SERIOUS YOUTH VIOLENCE Panel debate - Intervening early to tackle serious youth violence: what really works?
Presentation
The number of children and young people who lose their lives to violence is now higher than it was 10 years ago with children as young as 11 carrying knives because they feel unsafe and see it as a form of protection. Serious youth violence has a devastating impact on young people, families and communities. A panel of experts discusses what strategies and practice really work when it comes to preventing violence from wrecking young lives.
Speakers
Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit
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Sum-up and close of conference