Laura's Early Years Conferences
In January 2016, prompted by the number of questions and queries that sector colleagues were posting on social media, as well as cuts in professional development that link to safeguarding and child protection awareness, Laura sensed a need for a group on Facebook and started Early Years Safeguarding and Child Protection. The group was very successful and the go-to place for colleagues to share and ask questions on safeguarding and child protection issues. It was from this small start that Laura felt there was a need to come together and explore some of the issues, so the first Early Years Safeguarding and Protecting Every Child (#EYSPEC) was scheduled for November 2016.
This important and thought provoking conference was organised to support the Early Years Sector, to enable educators to work proactively in a solution driven and collaborative environment with children and their families.
The first conference was held on 4th November 2016 and was a resounding success and in light of this Laura agreed to make it an annual event in honour of Victoria Climbié, to celebrate her birthday and reflect on what we need to do.
Keynote Speakers:
John Carnochan OBE QPM (hon.) LLD FFPH, Jane Evans, Professor Dame Donna Kinnair and Dr Eunice Lumsden.
Workshops:
Debbie Alcock, Susan Taylor, Penny Webb BEM, Rachel Buckler, Ann Marie Christian and Andrew Ellery.
For further details, please click on the button below.
The second conference was held on Friday 3rd November 2017 and built on the success of the first conference, and further persuaded Laura that it did need to be an annual event.
Keynote Speakers:
Dr Stuart Shanker D Phil (Oxon), Leroy Logan MBE, PhD, BSc, Mine Conkbayir, Hibo Wardere and Jane Evans.
Present and Panel:
Ann Marie Christian, Jemma Mortlock and Sarah Goff.
For further details including access to the recorded interview-style
Keynote by Dr Stuart Shanker, please click on the button below.
The third conference was held for the first time on a Saturday (3rd November 2018) to enable more of Early Years Professionals to attend. It was even more successful and well-attended than the previous years, with all tickets selling out.
Keynote Speakers:
Alfie Kohn, Dr Prospera Tedam, Christina Gabbitas and Inspector Jack Rowlands
Present and Panel:
Dr Eunice Lumsden, Andrew Ellery and Joss Cambridge Simmons.
For further details including access to the conference recordings,
please click on the button below.
Laura's 2019 conference was updated from the previous years to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the International Rights of the Child.
Keynote Speakers:
Professor Gregoire Borst, Lemn Sissay MBE, Princess Tessy of Luxembourg, Dr Jenny Gibson, Hibo Wardere, Sarian Karim-Kamara, David Wright and Amanda Frolich
Lisa Smith was also due to deliver a Keynote but was taken ill on the day, so Laura recorded a special webinar with her following the conference.
Juli Dosad attended and recorded the day with special graphics.
For further details including access to the bespoke graphics and
interview with Lisa Smith, please click on the button below.