Supporting Disadvantaged Families 2023: Building Better Futures and Improving Social Mobility

It is estimated by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation that around 14.5 million people in the UK, including 4.3 million children, currently live in poverty. The recent pandemic has only served to exacerbate existing problems for disadvantaged families already struggling. In the current economic climate, with prices soaring, vulnerable families are expected to be hit the hardest, putting even more pressure on local services. While the road ahead appears difficult, recent policies and initiatives, such as the Government’s Supporting Families Programme, have enhanced support for disadvantaged families. Public and voluntary sector professionals can build upon this ongoing positive work to improve collaboration in local and nationwide services to provide disadvantaged families with the high-quality support they need at the right time.

• It is predicted that 1.3 million more people will be in absolute poverty by 2023, including 500,000 children, as found by the Resolution Foundation
• In 2020 49 per cent of children in lone-parent families were in poverty, according to the Child Poverty Action Group
• The number of children eligible for free school meals in 2021 was 1.9 million, a rise of nearly 160,000 from 2020, according to Government data
• National Energy Action estimates that 5.9 million low-income and financially vulnerable households will be in fuel poverty by April 2023

Join us at the Supporting Disadvantaged Families Conference 2023 to hear experts from across the public and voluntary sectors discuss the most up-to-date policies and initiatives for delivering effective, high-quality support for disadvantaged families. Engage with best practice case studies addressing key challenges such as overcoming barriers to education for disadvantaged pupils, implementing family hub services, and improving access to mental health services for vulnerable families. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues to discuss common challenges you face as well as solutions to improve systems of support for disadvantaged families.

Why Attend:

✓ High level keynotes on the latest initiatives in supporting disadvantaged families from experts and policymakers

✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in partnership working between local charities and authorities to provide support

✓ A wide range of topics including early intervention strategies, financial inclusion, providing secure housing, and accessible mental health support

✓ Network with senior colleagues from across the public sector

✓ CPD (gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

This is a live event taking place online:

✓ Access a full live event with 8 hours of CPD points from home
✓ Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓ Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓ Review event materials and presentations post-event

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks

  Edward Melhuish, Professor of Human Development, University of Oxford (CONFIRMED)

• 10.00

  Keynote: Tackling the National Disadvantage Gap During the Cost-of-Living Crisis

  • Insights from Family Action service delivery on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on families across the country
  • Understanding the role of the voluntary sector in delivering practical support
  • Overcoming challenges for the voluntary sector in providing support to disadvantaged families
  • What is needed at a systemic level to improve local support for families

  David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive, Family Action (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Developing an Early Intervention Strategy to Improve Long-Term Outcomes for Disadvantaged Families

  • Practical advice on identifying vulnerable families and commissioning interventions to prevent escalation
  • Strategies and support mechanisms to prevent vulnerable children from entering the care system
  • Enacting evidence-based interventions to reduce the likelihood of youth crime in disadvantaged families
  • Guidance on appointing and training staff to identify and coordinate a support package for those with complex needs
  • Tips on preventing and intervening in incidents of domestic abuse to reduce its negative impact on families

  Nicola Smith, Senior Policy Advisor, Barnardo’s (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Case Study: Developing Family Hubs: Improving Local, Community Based Support for Disadvantaged Families

  • Advice on creating a centralised system of support to make sure disadvantaged families know exactly where they can find help
  • Creating safe spaces and contact points to support parents and families experiencing domestic abuse
  • Developing programmes, such as drop-in sessions and parenting groups,to relieve stress and provide advice to single parent families
  • Key tips for identifying and addressing barriers to support experienced by disadvantaged ethnic minority families
  • Tackling isolation post-Covid-19: helping families to build strong community connections and relationships

  Zahra Jama, Early Help Hub Manager, London Borough of Tower Hamlets (CONFIRMED)

• 11:35

  Case Study: Overcoming Barriers to Education to Ensure Disadvantaged Pupils Can Reach Their Full Potential

  • Overcoming inequalities intensified by Covid-19 to address gaps in learning for disadvantaged pupils
  • Reducing student anxiety and improving emotional articulation to increase attendance for pupils suffering from school avoidance
  • Equity of opportunity: strategies to ensure greater access to social and cultural capital for disadvantaged pupils
  • Practical guidance on using pupil premium funds to support disadvantaged pupils to reach their full potential

  Alan MacAskill, Photography Teacher, Former Deputy Head, Stoke Newington School (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Questions and Answers

• 12.15

  Lunch Break

• 12.55

  Case Study: Implementing Financial Hardship Support for Disadvantaged Families 

  • Understanding the context for local welfare assistance and financial support schemes
  • Implementing the ‘cash first’ scheme: evidence on its beneficial impact for disadvantaged families
  • Showcasing best practice in designing schemes and disbursing cash payments
  • Insights into the LB Barking and Dagenham case study

  Gareth Evans, Director, Cash Perks (CONFIRMED)

• 13.15

  Case Study: Building a Multi-Agency Approach to Provide Wrap-Around Support for Disadvantaged Families

  • Engaging in local and national data sharing to help tailor services and track long-term progress
  • Building awareness of the help available to improve family’s access to,and engagement with, support services
  • Creating a joint approach with parents to understand what disadvantaged children need and gaps in services
  • Developing shared, collective outcomes between agencies to ensure consistency in the co-production of services
  • Using shared information to predict risks for, and needs of, disadvantaged families to anticipate problems before the emerge

  Helen Binns, Project Manager, Families First, Leeds City Council (CONFIRMED)

  Farrah Khan, Chief Officer for Family Help, Leeds City Council (CONFIRMED)

• 13.35

  Questions and Answers

• 13.55

  Breakout Networking: Collaborating to Effectively Co-ordinate Support for Disadvantaged Families

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in co-ordinating support between education, local government and voluntary services and give you the chance to discuss strategies to improve cross sector collaboration

• 14.25

  Comfort Break

• 14.40

  Case Study: Accessible Mental Health Support: Improving the Wellbeing of Disadvantaged Families

  • Tackling inequity of access to services: integrating emotional health and wellbeing support into local community services
  • Creating safe, accessible spaces to provide disadvantaged families with non-clinical mental wellbeing support
  • Identifying and signposting vulnerable people towards counselling services: key tips for improving outreach
  • Developing culturally sensitive wellbeing and mental health services to support disadvantaged families from ethnic minority backgrounds
  • De-stigmatising mental health: key insights into informing and educating disadvantaged communities on emotional wellbeing

  Bethanie Cundy, Chief Executive Officer, Ignite Life (CONFIRMED)

• 15.00

  Case Study: Providing Secure Homes and Services to Meet the Needs of Mainly Single Person Households

  • Discussing the practical issues involved in letting homes to single, working age tenants
  • Outlining strategies to support our most vulnerable tenants
  • Insights into assisting local authorities to meet their statutory duties and reduce homelessness and rough sleeping
  • Looking forwards: services that are essential to help sustain existing and future tenancies

  Helen Gauld, Chief Executive, Langstane Housing Association (CONFIRMED)

• 15.20

  Questions and Answers

• 15.40

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  *programme subject to change without notice

Who Should Attend?

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers from across the sector
✓ Meet your target audience
✓ Listen and Learn from leading experts from across the further education sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Private Sector Rate: : £599.00+VAT
• Public Sector Rate: : £399.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate:: £329.00+VAT