National Children and Adult Services Conference 2026
11 November 2026 – 13 November 2026
ACC Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
The annual National Children and Adult Services Conference (NCASC) is a three-day conference for elected members and senior leaders in local authorities with responsibility for, or an interest in, delivering services and opportunities for children, young people and adults. It is organised jointly by ADASS, ADCS and the LGA, and includes an exhibition alongside the conference programme.
41 sessions · 120 speakers
Organisers (2)
Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) · Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
Exhibitors (55)
Outcomes Star · Public Alchemy · BILD · CareCubed · Care Leavers App · Boromi · Foundations - What Works Centre For Children and Families · National Care Group · Positive Support Group · Invision360 · University of Bristol · EasyPeasy · IMPACT (Improving Adult Care Together) · Eden Brown Synergy · IMPOWER Consulting Limited · The Fostering Network · Nugent Care · Cinnamon Digital Applications · Peopletoo Ltd · CQC · OneTouch · Community Care · Beebot AI · 31Ten Consulting · Fosterli · Mobilise · Omega Digital · Social Care Institute for Excellence · NESTA · Safehire.ai Ltd · Reconnect Services · Achieve together · The OT Practice · Channel 3 Consulting · Civica · Agilisys · Totalmobile Limited · Noveva Software Group · BetterGov · Medequip · Pairly · Policy in Practice · bMindful Psychology · Private Public Ltd (PPL) · System C Healthcare · Imosphere · Newton · The Access Group · The Occupational Therapy Service · Ygam · Every Medical · Social Finance · Plinth · Lilli · The MJ
Speakers (120)
- Ann Graham President, Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS)
- Rashpal Bishop Vice President, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
- Dr Clenton Farquharson Associate Director, Think Local Act Personal
- Phil Holmes President, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
- Sam Baron Interim CEO, British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- Cllr Amanda Serjeant Children, Young People and Families Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor Chair, Health and Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Eamonn O'Brien Chair, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Jacqui Old Executive Director Education and Children's Services, Lancashire County Council
- Chris Badger Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care and Integrated Care, Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- Colin Foster ADCS Vice President, Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS)
- Isaac Samuels Co-Chair, National Co-Production Advisory Group
- Kate Sibthorp Co-Chair, National Co-Production Advisory Group
- Sarah McClinton Chief Social Worker, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Tracy Reid Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council
- Nick Davies Programme Director, Institute for Government
- Adi Cooper Care and Health Improvement Adviser, Safeguarding Adults, Partners in Care and Health
- Cllr Diane Morton Deputy Chair, LGA Health and Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Lorraine Francis Deputy Chair, LGA Health and Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Megan Wright Vice-Chair, LGA Health and Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Natalie Oliver Chair, LGA Children, Young People and Families Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Cllr Sarah Rouse Deputy Chair, LGA Health and Wellbeing Committee, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Dheeraj Chibber Chair of the ADCS Health, Care and Commissioning network, Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS)
- Fazeela Hafejee Assistant Director, Adults with Disabilities, City of Bradford Council
- Gail Tolley Director of Children's Sector Led Improvement, Local Government Association (LGA)
- Jacky Tiotto Chief Executive Officer, Cafcass
- Jo Fisher Executive Director of Children's Services and Education; Chair of the ADCS Regional Improvement and Inspection Policy Network, Hertfordshire County Council
- Kat Hartnett Adult FGC Manager, London Borough of Camden
- Martin Russell Lead for Culture and Wellbeing, Education, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Martin Samuels Executive Director of Adult Care & Community Wellbeing, Lincolnshire County Council
- Rashida Baig Director of Children's Safeguarding and Family Help, London Borough of Camden
- Sarah Blackmore Executive director, Social Work England
- Sharon Hubber Director of Children's Services, Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
- Alex Cisneros Barrister, 39 Essex Chambers
- Alison McGovern MP Minister of State for Adult Social Care and Mental Health
- Amanda Radley Child Exploitation Subject Matter Expert, County Lines Task Force, British Transport Police
- Andrew Reece Strategic Lead for Wales and England, British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- Andy Bridson Head Teacher and Chair, GM Head Teachers Group
- Anna Gardiner Interim Director, Council for Disabled Children
- Anna Severwright Social Care Future
- Austin H Expert by Experience
- Azara Issifu Independent FGC Coordinator
- Baroness Louise Casey Chair, Independent Commission on Adult Social Care
- Becky Rich DanceSyndrome
- Ben Farrugia Director, Social Work Scotland
- Bev Hendricks Executive Director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Families, London Borough of Merton
- Calum Titley Service manager – Adult Social Care, Stockton Borough Council
- Cathy Starbuck Director of Education and Inclusion, Salford City Council
- Charlotte Mitchell ADCS, Rochdale
- Claire Baxter Northamptonshire Parent Carer Voices
- Cllr Keith Cunliffe Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, Wigan Council
- Cllr Paul Watling Cabinet Member of Adult Care and Independent Living, Telford and Wrekin Council
- Cornelia Andrecut Director of Children's Social Care, Northamptonshire Children's Trust
- Craig Macleod Chief Officer Social Services, Flintshire County Council
- Dan Scorer Director of Policy, Public Affairs, Information and Advice, Mencap
- Danielle Dunbar Assistant Director (London), Cafcass
- Dauda Ladejobi Artist/Facilitator, Ideate Education
- Dawn Dyer Head of SEND, Rochdale Borough Council
- Dawn Fenton Neurodevelopmental Pathway Lead
- Deborah Crossan Managing Director, IMPOWER
- Donna Molloy Deputy Chief Executive, Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families
- Dr Jo Gibson Institute for Social Justice Research Fellow, York St John University
- Dr Rob Hart Delivery Director, IMPOWER
- Emma Willson Director (Education, value for money), National Audit Office
- Esther Golby Head of Safeguarding, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside
- Fi Flowers Head of Practice Improvement, Think Local Act Personal
- Geoff Hinkins Delivery Director, IMPOWER
- Georgine Lee Head of Service Fostering, Adoption and Adolescent services
- Gerard Crofton-Martin Interim Chief Executive, Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
- Harris C Expert by Experience
- Heather Sandy Executive Director of Children's Services and Deputy Chief Executive; Chair of the ADCS Inclusive Education Policy Network, Lincolnshire County Council
- Helen Allen Community Catalysts
- Helen Charlesworth-May Executive Director – Adults, Health and Integration, Cheshire East Council
- Helen Lincoln Executive Director for Children, Families and Education, Essex County Council
- Isabelle Trowler Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Department for Education (DfE)
- Jackie Ellis Rochdale Parent Carers Voice
- Jacqui Darlington National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG)
- Jamie Spencer Head of ASC Insight, Quality and Financial Services, London Borough of Camden
- Jen Casey-Kidd Healthwatch Knowsley
- Jenny Glennard Corporate Director Children and Young Peoples Services, Liverpool City Council
- Jess McGregor Immediate Past President, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS)
- Joe Wheeler Specialist Accommodation Framework Manager, Adult Social Care, Bristol City Council
- Josh MacAlister MP Minister for Children and Families
- Julie Lathan Service Lead Homelessness, Stockton Borough Council
- Julie Nicholson DanceSyndrome
- Kari Gerstheimer CEO, Access Social Care
- Karim Mokrani 1Up Collective
- Louise Brown Co-founder, 1Up Collective
- Louise Spragg Principal Social Worker, Telford & Wrekin Council
- Lukman Patel Chief Executive, Burnley Council
- Martin Routledge Social Care Future
- Martin Sexton Head of Service for Learning and Development; co-chair national MCA/DoLS Network, Salford Adult Social Care
- Medina Patel Senior Business Manager, Lancashire Safeguarding Business Unit, Lancashire County Council
- Melissa Wise Director of Adult Social Services; ADASS Housing Lead, Reading Borough Council
- Michael Nwoye Inter-Country Social Worker, Children and Families Across Borders
- Michaela Calvert Expert by Experience
- Michelle Hulme Assistant Director (Birmingham and West Midlands), Cafcass
- Mike Barker Deputy Chief Executive and NHS Place Director of Health & Care Integration, Oldham Council
- Mike Blower Service Lead, Safeguarding Adolescent Service, Wigan Council
- MJ Black National Advisory Forum, Social Work England
- Nick Presmeg Executive Director Adult Social Care, Essex County Council
- Professor Neil Humphrey #BeeWell Programme
- Rachael Wardell Director of Children's Services, Surrey County Council
- Rich Amos Lived Experience Advisor, National Co-production Advisory group
- Sally Warren Director General for Adult Social Care, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- Sarah Day Chief Executive and Business Delivery Unit Lead, Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru
- Sarah Downes Interim Head of Service: Assurance, Transformation and Financial Management, Telford and Wrekin Council
- Sarah Probert Lived experience expert
- Shantel Thomas Chair, Director of the Anti-Racist Movement, BASW England, British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- Sheila Bersin Expert by Experience, Knowsley Older People's Voice
- Shirley Carthy Personal Assistant
- Sir Martyn Oliver His Majesty's Chief Inspector, Ofsted
- Thomas Lynch Strategic Policy & Practice Manager, Local Government Information Unit
- Tricia Nicoll Social Care Future
- Tricia Pereira Co-chair, Social Care Workforce WRES advisory group
- Vanessa D'Amore Service Delivery Manager, Leeds City Council
- Vicky Gent Director of Children's Services, Blackpool Council
- Vikki Lowther Our House Development Lead, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Yusuf Shobair Care-experienced young person and member of Foundations' Experts by Experience Panel
- Yvette Stanley National Director for Social Care, Ofsted
Agenda
- Big Chat 1 – Let's dance: how Direct Payments can transform young People's Lives 11 November 2026 · Big Chat area, Exhibit Hall
- Conference Opening 11 November 2026 · 1A Auditorium
- Casey Commission 11 November 2026 · 1A Auditorium
- Working with children who pose a risk to others: understanding risk, strengthening prevention 11 November 2026 · 2N
- Big Chat 2 – SEND Reform: If You Want to Go Far, Go Together 11 November 2026 · Big Chat area, Exhibit Hall
- Seeing Risk, Protecting Children: How Child Focused Courts Are Transforming the Private Law Response to Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control 11 November 2026 · 2N
- Head and Heart: From strengths-based conversations to outcomes you can see, measure and commission for. 11 November 2026 · 2F
- How an Innovative Partnership Between a Council and a Community Collective Is Transforming Outcomes for Young People in South Essex 11 November 2026 · Rm 4
- Rebuilding Identity: Innovative Life Story Work with Refugee Children and Young People 11 November 2026 · Rm 3
- Local Government Reorganisation – lessons, impact and opportunities 11 November 2026 · Rm 12
- Navigating Public Inquiries 11 November 2026
- We all say co-production matters, but how do we prove it? An exploration of how to approach measuring the impact of co-production. 11 November 2026 · Rm 11
- AGNI - deprivation of liberty post Cheshire West 11 November 2026 · 1C Auditorium
- Josh MacAlister OBE MP, Minister for Children and Families 11 November 2026 · 1A Auditorium
- IMPOWER Breakfast Workshop: Using AI, digital and data-led approaches to transform children's services – learning, insight and examples from local areas 12 November 2026 · 2N
- Building Neighbourhood Health Together 12 November 2026 · 1A Auditorium
- Listening that Leads: Turning Insight into Action for Young People's Wellbeing in Rochdale 12 November 2026 · 1B
- Widening the Circle - Experience a family group conference workshop 12 November 2026 · Rm 11A/B
- Why aren't we building the homes we need? Unlocking delivery of specialist housing through local leadership and national action 12 November 2026 · Rm 12
- Stop and Search Through a Safeguarding Lens: The Child Behind the Search workshop 12 November 2026 · Rm 3A
- Shades of Bias: a systematic approach to reveal, reflect and repair the consequences of bias in social care organisations 12 November 2026 · 1C
- How we establish a National Adults Safeguarding System: the need to listen, to learn and to act 12 November 2026 · Rm 4
- Plenary 5: Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Adult Social Care and Mental Health 12 November 2026 · 1A Auditorium
- Big Chat 3 – Social Care Future, National Care Standards 12 November 2026 · Big Chat area, Exhibit Hall
- Inspection, oversight and accountability 12 November 2026 · 2N
- Learning from our Closest Neighbours 12 November 2026 · 2F
- Leading change together: the future of social work 12 November 2026 · Rm 4
- Repeat homelessness and rough sleeping 12 November 2026 · Rm 11
- 16 Years On: How much closer are we to a National Care Service? 12 November 2026 · Rm 12
- Transitional safeguarding – learning from what works 12 November 2026 · 1B
- What do we know about how to support enduring relationships for care-experienced children and young people? 12 November 2026 · 1C
- Pastoral over Punitive: Alternative Provision and Benevolent Childhood Experiences 12 November 2026 · Rm 3
- Getting to good – the story of the Northwest region 12 November 2026 · 2N
- CQC post baselining (details TBC) 12 November 2026 · 2F
- Beyond the postcode lottery: what does a fair social care system really look like? 13 November 2026 · 2F
- NAO insights: Strengthening relations with DfE (details TBC) 13 November 2026 · 2N
- Big Chat 4 – Family Care and Finances – the hidden cost of ageing 13 November 2026 · Big Chat area, Exhibit Hall
- Who owns neighbourhood health? Shaping Local Government's vision for health and wellbeing 13 November 2026 · 2F
- SEND Reform: Managing the Present, Shaping the Future 13 November 2026 · 2N
- Rewiring the State 13 November 2026 · 2F
- Conference Close 13 November 2026 · 2F