GROWING EXPECTATIONS

The Social Services North West Children’s Issues Conference

Tuesday 24 September 2002

Reebok Stadium, Bolton

Children have fewer rights than others in our society and their needs and experiences are often not given sufficient weight by legislators. But increasingly the voices of children are being heard.  Public services which provide for children (social services, education, health and others) have come under increased scrutiny following highly publicised scandals. The government’s emphasis on modernising social and health services has also promoted their closer working together.

This conference will put children’s best interests at centre stage, recognising the ‘growing expectation’ that the quality of services provided determines the healthy development of tomorrow’s citizens.  And when we recognise the wide range of supports that each child needs, it is clear that partnership between services is the key to success.

Keynote Speaker

PROFESSOR AL AYNSLEY-GREEN

Head of the Children’s Task Force and
National Director of Children’s Health Care Services

Also known as the ‘Children’s Tsar’, Professor Aynsley-Green is a keen supporter of children’s rights and backs the demand for a “Children’s Commissioner” for England.  He is also involved in the development of new NHS standards of child health care, which will facilitate the modernisation of health care from birth to the brink of adulthood, ensuring easy access and the meeting of children’s needs.

Other contributors:

Anita Marsland, Chief Executive of Health and Social Care at Knowsley, will describe the work of the Quality Protects regional multi-disciplinary group and of ADSS North West. 

Ken Campbell, Implementation Team Adviser for the DfES will describe the work of his project on the education of children in public care.

Cheryl Eastwood and colleagues from health and social services in Bolton will present innovative examples of local services.

Martin Hazlehurst and young people from First Key (the National Leaving Care organisation) will share their perspective.

The emphasis of the conference will be on policies and strategies for promoting the interface of social services, health and education in serving children and their families, and in hearing their experiences and perceptions.  The conference is for Councillors and non-executive Directors, and for Chief Executives, Directors and their senior managers from social services, health, education and related services.

We are aware that this conference is one of three on children's issues to be held on 24 September.  We have therefore timed this one to commence with lunch at 12 noon and the programme will run from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm.  This will hopefully allow delegates to take in more than one event if they wish to do so.

The full conference brochure will be circulated shortly.  To make sure of your copy, please contact the office at the address below.  The latest available details of the conference are always available on our website at www.ssnw.org.uk

Click here to send an email requesting a booking form for the conference when available