Programme - Birmingham Conference

Improving the Commissioning of Therapeutic Support for Children in Care

Tuesday 15th September 2026
 

9:30am Arrival and Registration in Exhibition Hall (Refreshments available)
10:00am Conference Welcome and Opening Remarks
Lucy Barnes – Expert by Experience and Barrister
10:15am John Turberville
Chair of Community of Communities Advisory Group, CEO The Mulberry Bush
10:35am Angela Elliott
Assistant Director LB of Islington & Lead Commissioning for ASD/SEMH London IIA
10:55am Dr Lisa Holmes
Professor in Applied Social Science, University of Sussex & Published Expert
11:10am Refreshments
11:40am Elaine Kirwin
Clinical Director Toucan (West Midlands CAMHS Provider Collaborative)
12:00pm Niall Kelly
CEO MHC & Young Foundations
12:30pm Discussion: The Impact of Therapeutic Support for Children in Care
12:50pm David Trickey
Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Co‑Director UK Trauma Council
1:20pm Lunch & Networking
2:00 – 2:40pm Workshop Session 1

1. How can we get young people to want to engage with Therapeutic Support Services?
Unique Care Homes

2. Making Home Possible: Applying Evidence‑Based Multisystemic Therapy to Support Reunification
MST UK & Leeds City Council

3. Therapeutic Childcare: Are we Clear what we are talking about? Maybe Not.
A PhD Case Study – Dave Roberts, The Mulberry Bush

4. Shaping Futures Together: Empowering decision makers to build evidence‑informed mental health provision for children in care
UK Trauma Council

2:50 – 3:30pm Workshop Session 2

5. Ensuring Children in Care are at the Heart of Services
Amberleigh Care

6. Every Child Belongs, Every Relationship Matters: Practice Guidance for Therapeutic Support in Wales
My Support Team (MyST) – Gwent Partnership Board

7. Beyond the Label: Identifying, challenging and commissioning truly therapeutic fostering
Chrysalis Consortium

8. Cherry Tree Cottage: A Joint Model for Prevention, Recovery and Value
Hertfordshire Council & Hertfordshire Foundation Trust

3:40 – 4:20pm Workshop Session 3

9. Creative Engagement and the Delivery of Therapeutic Support to Children in Care
Breathe Arts Health Research & Symbol – Lewisham CAMHS

10. Placement Choice: Therapeutic Lot but No Placements – How do you increase provider offers?
West Midlands Commissioning Hub

11. Quality Assurance of Therapeutic Settings: A Regional Co‑Designed Framework
North West ADCS Commissioning

12. Integrating Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health Support for Children in Care in Social Care Teams
Coventry City Council & Coventry & Warwickshire Integrated Care Board

4:20pm Panel Discussion: Improving the Therapeutic Support for Children in Care
4:50pm Plenary Round Up by Conference Chair
5:00 – 5:30pm Conference Close and Networking Opportunity Commences Refreshments

How to find the venue