EQUALS National Conference
14-25 Education

What does Independence mean for young people
with PMLD, SLD and MLD?

Practical Solutions and Possibilities

NCVO – Central London – 4th November 2022

Our last four conferences have been 100% full and over subscribed so early booking is recommended.
Members places are only £159+VAT. Early booking is recommended as our last four conferences were oversubscribed.

To book a place, please email admin@equalsoffice.co.uk

08.45 – Arrival, registration with tea and coffee

09.30 – Opening address – Chris Rollings Chair of Equals.

10.00  – Keynote Speaker – Ellen Atkinson (Regional Adviser for the NDTi on Preparing for Adulthood)
Exploring the Valuing Employment Now (VEN) project to improve employment prospects and outcomes for people with learning disabilities in England.

10.45 – Tea, Coffee & Biscuits

11.15  – James Whybra (Assistant Head and Post 16 Careers Leader. Castle School, Reading).
The Valuing Employment Now Project in practice. Developing employment opportunities for the students has been a focus for James and he regularly shares his experiences with Schools, Colleges and Local Authorities from across the country.

12.00  – Gillian Carver – Headteacher St Ann’s School in Hanwell, west London.
Making your LA an offer they can’t refuse for school leaving students with complex learning difficulties, who are working consistently and over time on the Informal Pathway. St Ann’s Learning To Be Approach is a radical but highly successful model that has led to Equals Informal Curriculum, but does not cease to be effective post 19. The partnership between St Ann’s and Ealing LA proves that millions of pounds can be saved and more importantly, students who otherwise might have faced an institutionalised future can remain a central and active part of their local communities.

12.45  – Lunch

13.45  – Barry Currell (Assistant Head teacher, Catcote School, Hartlepool)
‘Your choice, your future’ Preparing for Adulthood in Post 19 Education.
A journey through post 19 education supporting dreams and aspirations through choice, opportunity and real experiences. This session will demonstrate how Catcote Futures uses our bespoke ’10 Enterprise Commandments’ and ‘CORRECT enterprise skills’ across our 5 pathways
to create greater independence for all learners.

15.00  – Panel Questions & Answers Session

15.45  – Plenary and closing remarks

16.00  – Finish