Leaders’ Forum: Brave new world or business as usual? What next for the children’s and adults’ sector

• Overview 
• Speakers 
• Outcomes 
• Designed for
• Booking

Overview 

Any change of government brings with it a shift in focus and emphasis. However, the constraints on resources and the desire to maximise impact are set to be enduring features of children’s and adults’ services leadership.   

At Research in Practice our annual Leaders' Forum brings together Directors, Assistant Directors and strategic managers from across our network to debate key challenges and share solutions.  

At this year’s conference, we will be exploring the case for making services fairer, not just more efficient, and considering how best to make the economic and moral case for social justice within public service reform. We will also examine the complex relationship between policy, evidence and ideology and the role of sector leaders in navigating this.  

Colleagues from statutory and voluntary sector organisations, policy and academia will come together to share knowledge, experience and expertise. Leaders will discuss how social justice is much more than a desirable outcome - it is a vehicle for better support and services, and a fairer world. 

Leaders’ Forum will take place on 6 November at The Studio Birmingham. This will be a one-day in-person only event.  

Speakers 

Confirmed speakers include: 

• Professor Alisoun Milne - Professor Emerita Social Work & Social Gerontology, University of Kent/independent consultant
• Kaylie Chapman - Wiltshire Council
• Professor Patrick McGorry AO - Executive Director, Orygen, University of Melbourne
• Paul Kissack - Group Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
• Professor Jon Glasby -Director of IMPACT (the UK centre for implementing evidence in adult social care) and Professor of Health and Social Care at the University of Birmingham
• Professor Eileen Munro - Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, London School of Economics
• Rachel Coldicutt - Careful Industries
• Nana Bonsu - London Borough of Camden
• Becca Dove - Head of Camden Centre for Relational Practice and Transformation, London Borough of Camden

Further speakers to be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Outcomes 

Our Leaders’ Forum aims to bring together senior leaders to debate key challenges and share ideas and solutions. It will include leaders from across the adults’ and children’s sectors, and consider how we can better shape a fairer and more equitable system.  

As a result of attending, participants will: 

• Understand the centrality of social justice to public service reform. 
• Consider their role in making support services more equitable. 
• Reflect on the influence of evidence and ideology on their leadership role in a changing landscape.

Designed for 

Leaders’ Forum is aimed at Directors, Assistant Directors and strategic managers from Partner organisations across the Research in Practice networks for children and families and for adults. 

Please ensure that when booking a place for either yourself or on behalf of a colleague you are checking the suitability of their role in relation to this event.

We may contact you to check your suitability to attend based on your job title we have on file for you. Please check your account details are up to date before booking.  

If you have any further queries, please contact our events team.

Booking 

This year’s Leaders’ Forum is a one-day, in-person only event. As a Research in Practice Partner your attendance on the day, including lunch and refreshments, is included in your organisational membership.

Please note accommodation at this event is not included.   

• Each children & families Partner can book up to two places.  
• Each adults Partner can book up to two places.  

Places are limited and will be managed on a first come first served basis. 

Leaders’ Forum is a popular event and we strongly encourage you to book your place early, request a place by selecting the button above.