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Kinship Care - the first choice for children
06 Jun 2013

 

Keynote address: Sir Martin Narey, Ministerial Adviser on Adoption
 
The Kinship Care - the first choice for children conference and awards will take place here on Policy Review TV on Thursday 6 June 2013.
 
With rising numbers of care applications and an increased scrutiny of their performance, children's services are undoubtedly feeling ever growing pressure. 
 
Developed in association with Grandparents Plus, this event will bring together leading national and international experts on kinship care to address some of the fundamental challenges children's services will face. The speaker panel will:
 
  • examine the strengths and challenges of kinship care
  • discuss how the contribution of grandparents and the wider family can be better recognised
  • explore how wider family placements should be assessed
  • discover how local authorities can work in partnership with kinship carers to provide cost-effective solutions
Programme
09:45
Session 1
Robert Tapsfield, Chief Executive, The Fostering Network; Chair, Kinship Care Alliance - Chair’s opening remarks;
Jean Stogdon, Co-Chair, Grandparents Plus - Introduction and welcome;
Sir Martin Narey, Government Advisor on Children's Social Care Adoption reform and what that means for kinship care;
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive, Grandparents Plus - What are the major challenges facing kinship carers and social workers? What should the response be?;
Elaine Arnold, Director, Separation and Reunion Forum - Who are we? How important is identity to us? What does it mean for children?;
Above speakers plus Helen Jones, Children in Care Division, Department for Education - Panel discussion.

11:15
Break
11:45
Session 2
John Simmonds, Director of Policy, Research and Development, British Association for Adoption and Fostering - Meeting the challenge: What is the future direction for children’s services?;
Nigel Richardson, Director Children’s Services, Leeds City Council - Case study: the approach in Leeds;
Meg Boustead, Head of Safeguarding, Sunderland City Council;
Sue Robson, Kinship Carer, More Than Grandparents Group - Case study: the approach in Sunderland;
Phillip McGill, Child Psychotherapist, Fostering, Adoption and Kinship Care Team, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust - CAMHS and kinshp - perspectives from a specialist CAMHS team;
Panel discussion.

13:00
Break
13:45
Session 3
Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive, Who Cares? Trust -Afternoon chair’s remarks;
Professor Jean McFadden, Professor of Social Work, Grand Valley State University, Michigan - Grandparents raising grandchildren in the USA:
Professor Elaine Farmer, Professor of Child and Family Studies, University of Bristol - Outcomes for children in kinship care: what does research tell us?;
Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Children's Minister - What is Labour's vision for children on the edge of care;
Nigel Priestley,Senior Partner, Ridley and Hall Solicitors - What role for the courts in all this?;
Panel discussion: Why kinship matters - why it can be the solution.

15:15
Break
15:45
Seminar 1: Supporting kinship carers
Hedi Argent, Independent Family Placement Consultant and Trainer

15:45
Seminar 2: Financial support and benefits for kinship carers
Sarah Wellard, Director of Policy, Research and Communications, Grandparents Plus;
Jo Raine, Advice Service Manager, Grandparents Plus

15:45
Seminar 3: Understanding legal requirements, regulations and guidance. What you need to know
Doug Lawson, Independent Consultant;
Andrew Brown, Mentor UK;
Nigel Priestley, Senior Solicitor, Ridley and Hall Solicitors.

15:45
Seminar 4: Family group conferencing
Tim Fisher, Family Group Conference Service Manager, Children Schools and Families, London Borough of Camden

15:45
Seminar 5: Kinship care assessments
Joan Blackman, Team Manager, Adoption and Permanence Team, Sutton Children’s Services

16:45
Good Practice Awards
18:30
End of broadcast