The Children's Home's Leaders Conference 2022

Children’s homes leaders are privileged to care for some of our most vulnerable children and play a significant role in their development and achievements. There are big changes proposed for the children’s homes sector by the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. Right now, throughout the changes and beyond, leaders need to be informed, inspired and innovative. The conference theme is 'Delivering on An Ambitious Vision: Now and During the Changes Ahead. See conference programme below.

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This event will celebrate the excellent and unsung achievements of the majority of homes by launching the awards ceremony for Registered Manager of the Year, Responsible Individual of the Year and Regulation 44 Visitor of the Year. We hope that you will nominate someone you feel is worthy of an award. Click to make your nomination.

9.00-9.30 Registration and Refreshments

9:30- 9.55 Welcome and Opening Address. Valerie Tulloch, Children’s Homes Quality

9:55- 10:00 My Hopes Mary Anne Hodd, Care Experienced Trainer

10:00- 10:30 Inspecting the Leadership of Children’s Homes

The Ofsted SCCIF requires that “leaders and managers show an ambitious vision and have high expectations for what all children can achieve” Helen shares Ofsted’s perspective on what constitutes excellent leadership with examples of innovative and ambitious practice and reflections on the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care. Helen Humphries, Ofsted Special Adviser for Residential Care

10:30-11:00 Residential Child Care: A Positive Career Option

Seven years ago, the sector census found over half of managers found it hard to recruit, with finding staff with the right experience (91%) and qualifications (52%) being the main barrier (Thornton et al., 2015). Things have deteriorated! A recent ICHA survey found that members were generally operating at 70% or less capacity due to staffing shortages. Peter shares thoughts and ideas about what could make a difference at both a strategic and practice level. Peter Sandiford, CEO Independent Children’s Homes Association (ICHA)

11:00-11:15 Question and Answer: Your chance to ask questions to Helen and Peter

11:15- 11:40 BREAK

11:40-12:30 Workshop 1. See workshop list for more information

12:30-1:30 LUNCH

1:30- 2:30 Elements SEMH

Hear Steven’s amazing journey through care, the lifelong bond created with a residential social worker and his inspiring work with children today. Steven Russell, Founder , Elements SEMH

2:30-3:15 Workshop 2: See workshop list for more information

3:15-3:30 BREAK

3:30-4:00 My Leadership Journey

In 1986, as a fresh faced 21-year-old, Francis began his career in a 24 bedded children’s home and after 36 years retired as the Chief Executive of one of the largest children’s homes organisations. He shares his journey and practical advice for today’s leaders. Francis Ashcroft, Former Chief Executive of Hexagon Care

4.00- 4:30 Children’s Homes Leaders Awards

Categories:

• Registered Manager of the Year Award

• Responsible Individual of the Year Award

• Regulation 44 Visitor of the Year Award

4:30- 4:45 Call to Action Margaret Davies, Children’s Homes Quality

4:45- 5:00 Networking

5:00 Conference Closes

WORKSHOP LIST

• The Moffles; Using Stories with Children in Care- Mikenda has designed and published The Moffles characters and stories, specifically for children in care and their carers. She will explore how using stories can help us to talk about thoughts, feelings and emotions with our children, in a safe way. Mikenda Plant – Family Therapist, DDP Consultant and Trainer, Author and Illustrator of The Moffles – stories for children in care

• Resetting Children’s Care- We look at the key messages for children’s homes as outlined in the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care and discuss the impacts on leaders and homes Jonathon Stanley- Principal Partner, National Centre for Excellence in Residential Child Care.

• Building not Breaking Bonds - Wigan Council share their approach to working with parents and/or foster carers in understanding children with complex needs, supporting families with the strategies they practice in their children’s homes to care with consistency in the family home. Steve Swinhoe-Service Manager, Provider Services Residential Care, Helen Murphy, Registered Manager

• What a Difference Love Makes – Hear about 2 organisations’ journey to Outstanding using CHQ’s Lovin’ Care approach, and the radical impact working with love has had on the young people and the adults caring for them. Margaret Davies – CHQ Training and Development Lead ,Christie O’Connor – Safe Haven, Responsible Individual, Matt Langley – Child First, Registered Manager

• Cultivating Leadership – Leadership is not always about being at the front… a strong model of systemic leadership in residential care builds leadership and resilience in staff teams so they in turn look to encourage confidence, independence and resilience in young people. Christine shares Dialogue’s work in this area. Christine Freestone – Senior Consultant at Dialogue and Safeguarding Network

• Connect the Child’s Voice to the Heart of Your Services – Mary-Anne’s passionate plea to change the narrative around ‘kids in care’. We can improve outcomes when we connect to young people’s history, journey and their story, and curate environments that unconditionally support healing and growth. Mary-Anne Hodd – Lived Experience Trainer, Speaker, and Advisor

• Think Context! – How to be context savvy in our decision making, in order to protect adolescents from harm outside the children’s home. Clair Graham – Head of Service Contextual Safeguarding, Birmingham Children’s Trust

• Achieving Excellent Outcomes for Disabled Children – With 14 consecutive Ofsted Outstanding ratings, Clare shares knowledge and resources for achieving ambitious outcomes for disabled children. Clare Brunt- Registered Manager, Brighton and Hove Council

Host or Publisher Children's Homes Quality