November 16^th – 17^th 2005

Holiday Inn, Liverpool

A major conference highlighting the necessity of children’s participation in the planning and delivery of services to children & families

Featuring a Question Time Debate with the four UK Children’s Commissioners

The conference comes at an important time in the overall development of children’s services - 2006 will be a crucial year in the effective implementation of the Every Child Matters programme, and the involvement of children and young people is essential in this.

This is a unique opportunity to examine the work of participation programmes across the UK and exhibit their potential to inform the growth and development of integrated children’s services.

The purpose of the conference is to explore how the learning from a range of policy, programme, practice, research and evaluation initiatives in the UK can contribute to the achievement of this objective.

Planned in partnership with the University of Liverpool, The Children’s Society, Government Office North West and Liverpool Children’s Fund, this conference will appeal to a wide range of people interested in enabling children to reach their potential and realise their dreams and ambitions.

Visit Liverpool, Capital of Culture 2008 and be part of this stimulating event!

Speakers

Rt Hon Beverley Hughes      Minister of State for Children and Families

Professor Christina Lyon      Queen Victoria Professor of Law, Centre for the Study of  the Child, the Family and the Law, University of Liverpool

Dr Tess Ridge                        Lecturer in Social Policy, Department of Social and Policy Sciences, University of Bath

Jonathan Smith                      Chief Executive, Child Health Development, Cheshire and Merseyside

Roger Morgan                       Director, Children’s Rights, Commission for Social Care Inspection

Adrian Voce                           Director, Children’s Play Council

Colin Hilton                            Director of Children’s Services, Liverpool City Council

SEMINARS

Participants will have the opportunity to attend four seminar sessions which will encourage discussion, promote learning and enhance understanding. There will be a choice of twelve, covering the following themes:

Presenters will be both local and national, with a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on.

Full details on the seminars will be available online from 1st September 2005.

Book your choices at: www.championingchildren.com.

SEMINAR LEADERS ALREADY CONFIRMED INCLUDE:

Carolyne Willow                       Children's Rights Alliance for England

Abi Carter                                Participation Workers Network for England

Mike Lewis                              Children in Wales

Bill Badham                              National Youth Agency

John Hogan                              Liverpool Children’s Fund

Dr. Margaret O'Brien               University of East Anglia

Alicia Smith                              Capital of Culture Company, Liverpool

Liam Cairns                              Investing in Children

Barry Percy Smith                    University of the West of England

Rajah Miah                               The Children's Society in Oldham

Thomas Vollmer                       European YES Forum

Gerison Lansdown                    Consultant in Children's Rights

Liz McArthur                            Royal Liverpool Children's NHS Trust

Clare Mahoney                         National Institute of Mental Health Education (NIMHE)

Dr. John Davies                        The University of Edinburgh

Professor Malcolm Hill             The University of Glasgow

Dr. Nigel Thomas                     University of Wales Swansea

Pauline Geraghty                       Lancashire Children's Rights

Question Time Debate

The focus of this debate will highlight the necessity of children’s participation in the development of our communities, and the need to create opportunities for children’s voices to be heard. Decision-making at every level should be seen to take account of their views.

A key aspect of this debate will be to give children a strong role, offering them alongside young people and adults, the opportunity to discuss their ideas, opinions and concerns with the Commissioners.

This is a unique opportunity to hear the views of all four of the Children’s Commissioners for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Prof Al Ainsley-Green                       The Children’s Commissioner for England

Maria Battle                                      The Deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales

Prof Kathleen Marshall                     The Commissioner for Children and Young People in Scotland

Nigel Williams                                    The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland

Delegate fees

Full rate                                  £430.00 + VAT (£505.25)

Central Government Departments and the Commercial Sector

Reduced rate             £370.00 + VAT (£434.75)

Local Authorities, PCTs, Academic Institutions and other Public Sector Organisations

Supported rate           £290.00 + VAT (£340.75)

Voluntary and Community Organisations, Schools and Trade Unions

Fees include all day access to the event, conference pack, buffet lunch and refreshments, for registered delegates only. Fees do not include travel costs or accommodation. Shared places are not permitted.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Online: www.championingchildren.com

Post:                 Shipshape Consultancy, Gostin House,

32-36 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 4LN

Email:   events@shipshape.uk.com

Tel:                   0151 708 7625

Fax:                  0151 707 9572