Conference programme
09:30 Welcome and Introduction - Emma Phillips, Head of Devon Virtual School (interim), Devon County Council
09:40 Language That Cares, a Lived Experience Perspective - Mary-anne Hodd, Director; Trainer, Speaker & Consultant at Journeys That Care
Mary-anne Hodd brings a personal perspective to this session, drawing on her own journey through care to explore the power of language in shaping how young people see themselves. Through sharing real extracts from her case files, she highlights the emotional impact of written records and the questions and narratives they can leave behind.
With a focus on personal education plans (PEPs), Mary-anne will invite the audience to reflect on how their words can either reduce a young person to what’s gone wrong or help them feel recognised, valued and full of potential. The session includes space for discussion and ends with participants curating their own principles for writing in ways that connect, affirm and care.
11:00 Refreshments, networking and exhibition
11:15 Voice of the child – Post 16 - Hannah Robson, Care Experienced Lead, Exeter College
Looking at the PEP process from an FE point of view, and how we engage young people. What information would be helpful from secondary school colleagues to handover to support a young person to achieve at college.
11:45 Relational Practice - Matt Jones, Relational Practice Lead, Inclusion and Learning
Relational Practice is a way of working that positions relationships at the heart of the school experience.
This session will introduce relational practice in terms of both the skills needed as well as the enabling conditions required to support the development of relational school communities.
We will discuss the headline findings from a three-year research project, including the contributions from children and young people.
12:15 Lunch, networking and exhibition
13:00 Breakout session - see below details of workshops on offer
- Early Years PEP Training for Designated Teachers
- Personal Education Plan - Lite
- How to use ePEP | Developments for AUT term and What makes an Effective PEP
- Life story work for children in care – Introducing the Rose Model
13:45 Move to breakout session two
13:50 Breakout session - see below details of workshops on offer
- Early Years PEP Training for Designated Teachers
- Personal Education Plan - Lite
- How to use ePEP | Developments for AUT term and What makes an Effective PEP
- Life story work for children in care – Introducing the Rose Model
14:35 Comfort break
14:40 Voices that matter: re-thinking PEP reviews - Joel Ramsay, Participation Worker and Lizz Williams, Participation Lead, Devon County Council. Joel and Lizz will be supporting two young people.
In this talk, young people will share their lived experiences of PEP Meetings. Experts, through experience, they will highlight what works well and what can be improved. Central to their message is the importance of respectful, inclusive language that empowers rather than labels.
Their stories will reveal how small changes can make a big difference in helping young people feel heard, valued, and involved in decisions about their education.
15:30 Close of conference - a continued chance for networking and discussion
