A day of lived experience, expert insight, practical learning and new connections – moving from understanding the challenge to exploring what we can collectively do about it.
Here’s the programme:
8:30–9:15am | Registration, Refreshments & Networking
Meet fellow delegates and explore our exhibition and showcase spaces before the conference begins.
9:15–9:30am | Welcome: We Must Act Now
Opening remarks from Gareth Edwards, Principal of Petty Pool College, setting out the scale of the challenge and our ambition for the day.
9:30–10:00am | The NEET Crisis: The Local and National Picture
Explore the factors contributing to young people becoming NEET, what the national picture means for our region and why prevention and early intervention matter.
10:00–10:40am | Beyond the Statistics: Young People’s Experiences
Behind every statistic is a young person. This session puts lived experience at the heart of the conversation, exploring disengagement from education, what can make a difference and what young people want us to understand.
Featuring Eve H, young people and Kathryn Porter, Head of Alternative Education at Petty Pool and TBC…
10:40–11:05am | Refreshments & Networking
11:05–11:45am | Prevention Starts Early: Keeping Young People Connected to Education
How can earlier intervention prevent disengagement? Our panel will explore attendance, transitions, unmet SEND needs and how education, families and partners can work together to keep young people connected to learning and opportunity.
Chaired by Professor Sue O’Brien, University of Chester
Featuring Lisa Edge, GB Shared; Stuart Manifould, The Dome Youth Zone; and Josh Robhes – WeMindTheGap
11:45am–12:25pm | Inclusive Employment: What Good Looks Like
What does genuinely inclusive employment look like in practice? Employers and partners share practical experiences of creating opportunities, the challenges they’ve encountered and the adjustments and support that can help young people thrive.
Sally Garratt, Chief Executive Officer, Petty Pool, Jamie Christon, CEO Chester Zoo, Joanna Moonan, Youth Employment UK, Suzie Henderson, Storyhouse.
12:25–1:25pm | Lunch, Networking & Showcase
Enjoy a delicius lunch served by Petty Pool College Hospitality Learners demonstrating good work experience in action, make new connections and explore organisations and initiatives creating opportunities for young people across the region. With thanks to the Ice Cream Farm for supplying our dessert!
1:25–2:00pm | Creating the conditions for young people to thrive: what works for neurodivergent young people
Keren Coney & Jack Fitzpatrick
Young people who are neurodivergent continue to face barriers as they move through education and into employment. Drawing on research, lived experience and practical examples, this session will explore some of the challenges that can affect participation, progression and belonging, and consider what organisations can do to create environments in which young people can thrive.
2:00–2:45pm | Practical Breakout Sessions
Choose from focused sessions designed to turn conversation into practical action.
- Engaging NEET: What You Can Do to help
Explore early warning signs, transitions, re-engagement and how stronger relationships between education and employers can create meaningful pathways for young people. - Creating Opportunities Without Creating Complexity
For employers who want to help but aren’t sure where to begin. Explore practical routes including workplace visits, mentoring, work experience, supported internships and employment – and the support available to make them work. - The Power of the Outdoors: Engagement, Confidence & Opportunity
Explore how outdoor activity, inclusive sport and experiential learning can help young people engage, develop confidence and build transferable skills.
2:45–3:15pm | Refreshments & Networking
3:15–3:45pm | Headline Session
Oly Newton, Founder of LightsOnXP
From Stuck, to standing, to earning.
Oly will draw on his lived experience and work with schools, communities and organisations around the world to help us understand that every young person has a story, we just need to help them find it. Oly works with young people on a daily basis to go from Stuck, to standing, to earning.
3:45–4:00pm | Where Do We Go From Here?
We’ll bring together the ideas and learning from across the day and leave delegates with one final question:
What can you – and your organisation – do next?
Programme and speakers may be subject to change.
