Agenda (subject to change)

09:00 Registration and refreshments

09:45 Welcome and introduction by the conference Chair
Stella Perrott, Writer and Independent Consultant

Session One: Understanding need and facilitating engagement

In 2008, the Scottish Government launched their Early Years Framework which was designed to tackle intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality through early intervention. Now, more than one year on, what has this – and other early years initiatives – meant for service provision, development and outcomes for Scotland’s youngest cohort?

09:50 Setting the scene: Scotland’s early years landscape
Paul Bradshaw, Research Director, Scottish Centre for Social Research

10:10 KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Adam Ingram MSP, Minister for Children and Early Years, The Scottish Government

Followed by Ministerial Q&A

10:35 Building parenting capacity
Dr Majella Murphy-Brennan, Head of International Programme Dissemination, Triple P International

10:55 Questions, discussion and electronic polling

11:10 Refreshments

Session Two: Early intervention and support – A key component to development

If the brain is 75% developed in the first three years of life, the crucial importance of these years must be acknowledged and translated through policy and service development. How do the development capability and the spending on policies marry up? Does early intervention work, both in terms of nurturing positive behaviour and lifestyles as well as stemming negative development?

11:25 Brain development and learning in the first years of life
Dr Teodora Gliga, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London

11:45 Family matters: Providing support through the Family Nurse Partnership

Melanie Hornett, Nurse Director, Lothian NHS Board

12:05 INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION: Early Intervention

In the context of the early years framework, early intervention encompasses the 4 main themes of parenting, communities, services and workforce. In this interactive discussion session, panellists will consider:

   • What do we mean by early intervention in each context?
   • Does it work in changing behaviour / direction or setting down positive early pathways?
   • How is this being delivered currently?
   • What can we learn from others?

Addie Stevenson, Chief Executive, Aberlour Child Care Trust
Ian Storrie, Policy Manager, Children and Young People Team, COSLA
Dr Teodora Gliga, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London
Melanie Hornett, Nurse Director, Lothian NHS Board

Including electronic polling throughout

13:00 Lunch including FRINGE EVENT:

13:25 - 13:40
Create, imagine, inspire: Early years in a creative environment
Led by Scottish Youth Theatre
One box...what's inside? Come along to experience how Scottish Youth Theatre workd with the Early Years throughout Scotland to let their stories come alive.

(Attendance optional)
 

Session Three: Driving forward the early years agenda

Despite financial and resource limitations, the early years agenda must continue to evolve and develop. The Getting it right approach goes a long way to encourage and facilitate partnership working in order to deliver the best services to Scotland’s youngest cohort but what else can be done? How can the early years agenda be driven forward through the formal, structured channel and what can we learn about the early years services delivered abroad?

14:00 Multi agency and partnership working: Linking the key strategies
Robin McKendrick, Policy Team Leader, Getting it right for every child, The Scottish Government

14:20  Learning and development in early years 
Jean Carwood Edwards, Early Years Team Leader, Learning and Teaching Scotland

14:35 CASE STUDY: The Outdoor Nursery

Cathy Bache, Founder and Lead Practitioner, The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery

14:50 Questions, discussion and electronic polling

15:10 Summary and conclusions by the conference chair

15:15 Close of conference