A Day in My Shoes: National Care Leavers' Week 2011. To be held at Westminster Studio, 10 Greycoat Place, London, SW1
During tough economic times, leaving care services are even more stretched to ensure transitions to adulthood are supported effectively. With youth unemployment high, access to education restricted and housing budgets cut it is more important than ever to reduce the disparity between achievements of looked-after children and their peers.
This National Care Leavers' Week conference provided the opportunity to reflect on past successes and look to new and innovative best practice in leaving care services. Leading experts built on current achievements to ensure that every young person is provided the best possible transition to adulthood.
The National Care Leavers' Week team and associated partners were delighted to welcome so many young carers to the agenda.
Programme
09:50
Dr Roger Morgan, Children's Rights Director for England
Panel discussion: How can services better support vulnerable young people post 21 during periods of budget constraints and austerity?
Panel to be chaired by:
Mike Stein, Research Professor at the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York
Session speakers to be joined by:
Mary Sainsbury, Practice Development Manager, Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
Ensuring financial sustainability through benefits:
Bruce Grenfell, Manager, Leaving Care Team, Newcastle City Council
Preparing young people for independence:
Dionne Stephenson, 16+ Team Manager, Children, Schools and Families,London Borough of Camden;
Tim Aldridge, Principal Officer LAC Social Work, London Borough of Camden.
Supporting care leavers through higher education:
Phil Bakstad, Care Leavers Project Coordinator, Liverpool John Moores University.
Made in Care - young peoples' voice in leaving care:
Wendy Banks, Director of Policy, Voice - with contributions from young care leavers.
What's on now:
14:00
Stream 3: Enhancing wellbeing
Best practice in helping staff to better support care leavers with mental health problems:
Frank Lowe, Consultant Social Worker, Tavistock Clinic
Mark Kerr, PhD Researcher & Assistant Lecturer in Social Policy SSPSSR, University of Kent at Canterbury
Matt Langsford, Care leaver from A National Voice