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Improving Lives: Autism and Learning Difficulties

  • Thursday, 12 October 2017
  • Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre
  • 08:30 - 16:30
130
Conference
Attendees
8
CPD
Credits
10
Expert Speakers
20
Sponsors & Supporters
  • Confirmed Speakers

  • Event Programme

08:30

Registration and Coffee in the Networking Area

09:25

Chair’s Opening Remarks

  • Mark Lee, CEO, Together Trust (confirmed)
09:30
"It Takes all Kinds of Minds"

Having a learning difficulty is a lifelong challenge but how dull would the world be if we were all the same? How do we really get it right for every child and young person so that they have a chance to shine? And what does success look like?

09:50
  • Gary Aldridge, Assistant Director of PBS and PCAS, Choice Support (confirmed)
"Championing Individualised and Bespoke Support’"

Behaviours that may challenge are a result of a mismatch between individual needs and the support being offered. The aim has to be to offer a better fit, based in individual choice and preferences. If an individual is supported how they want to be supported, by people they want to be supported by, to do the things they want to do, behaviours that challenge do not occur. It is up to all those involved in an individual’s support to provide the flexibility, imagination and commitment to positive risk taking to ensure this happens. An example of this in practice and the lessons to learn that still need to take place.

10:10
  • Les Neal, Independant, Autism Consultant (confirmed)
"Support For Those Providing Support"

Carers of people with learning disabilities are often unique amongst Carers. Many will experience a lifetime of caring for a son, daughter or sibling with learning disabilities but are often overlooked when it comes to providing support for them to carry out their vitally important caring duties.

10:30

Case Study

"My Life"

Natalie will be introducing Kirsty and her support staff to provide a real life case study about her experience of living with autism. Kirsty will be sharing her experience of being misunderstood, excluded and sectioned. Kirsty will be sharing the things that have helped her to get to a better place and have had a positive impact on her life

10:50

Question and Answer Session

11:00

Coffee in the Networking Area

11:45

Case Study

"Ruth’s Story – How Good Support Changes Lives"

Ruth had been living in a long stay hospital for many years and her quality of life was poor. Good partnership working and great person-centred support has transformed Ruth’s life and she wants to tell her story.

12:05
  • Esma Perkins, Music Therapist, North West Regional Team, Nordoff Robbins (confirmed)
"Finding potential in music: a case study of Nordoff Robbins music therapy in a specialist school for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder"

Nordoff Robbins is the largest music therapy charity in the UK and works with people experiencing a wide range of illness and disabilities, in many different settings. Our team of music therapists have extensive experience of working with children and young adults with autism, enabling them to realise more of their creative and communicative potential through music. This presentation will focus on a case study of varying music therapy work at a specialist school for children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, highlighting how the specialist use of music in this setting can enable students with additional learning difficulties to access school life as well as the therapeutic benefits of interactive music making.

 

12:25
  • Tony Collins, Learning Disability Ambassador, Remploy (confirmed)
"Making the Reasonable Adjustments Needed for People with Learning Disabilities to Gain and Sustain Employment"

Tony will be sharing his story with you about his recent experiences around raising awareness of learning disabilities.

12:45

Question and Answer Session

13:00

Lunch in the Networking Area

14:00

Chair’s Afternoon Address

14:05

Case Study

  • Joe Booker, Specialist Outreach Consultant, Seashell Trust (confirmed)
"Supported Employment at Seashell Trust"

Only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time paid employment and the proportion is even lower for those with associated learning difficulties. Seashell Trust’s Royal College Manchester educates young adults with severe/profound learning and communication difficulties, giving them the skills they need to live more independently and make decisions about their lives. For many of our students, this includes progression into supported employment.

In this case study, we look at how our students with severe learning difficulties and autism develop the skills they need for work, try different work experience options, make decisions about jobs they enjoy and secure offers of paid or voluntary employment after they leave college.

14:25
"Safeguarding: Protecting People Experiencing Abuse"

What can be done to enable people with learning difficulties access to domestic abuse support and to Marac? How can we make sure they become - and stay - safe?

14:45

Panel Debate

Gary Bourlet, Co-founder of Learning Disability England (confirmed)
Sarah Chapman, Managing Director, Operation Diversity (confirmed)
Dr Jeremy Fellick, Child Development Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital (confirmed)
Elaine Nicholson MBE, CEO & Counsellor, Action for Asperger’s (confirmed)

Dr Rachel Worthington, Consultant Psychologist, MHC UK Ltd (confirmed)

"Neurodiversity, Fighting Stigma and Promoting Inclusion"

How do we increase understanding and acceptance across all of society for those who process and experience the world differently and ensure they are afforded the same life chances as everyone else?

15:45

Chair’s Closing Remarks and Event Close

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Contact Details

News

  • What Works When Counselling Autistic Lives?

    • Posted on 21 June 2017
    • by Elaine Nicholson MBE, 4 Secure

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Venue

Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre

Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre

Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre is the ideal solution when searching for conference venues in Manchester. Top-of-the-range conference suites, 3 star value hotel accommodation, delicious dining and friendly service are the ideal components for a successful conference or event in the heart of the city centre.

The 18 conference rooms are decked out with all the mod cons including state-of-the-art AV technology, projectors and screens, free Wi-Fi and flip charts. Our clients cover the whole spectrum and include government organisations, trade unions, large corporate companies, non-profit organisations, health and education sectors and small to medium-sized businesses.

From the get-go we strive for excellence in everything we do and our dedicated team of conference professionals go all out to make sure your conference, event or exhibition runs like clockwork.

Featured Events

  • Improving Lives: Supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities

    • 31 January 2017
    • 08:30 - 16:15
    • Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre
  • Living Well with Autism: Beyond the Limitations

    • 28 May 2015
    • 08:00 - 13:30
    • Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre
  • Autism: The Challenges and Opportunities

    • 01 June 2016
    • 08:30 - 14:00
    • Pendulum Hotel & Manchester Conference Centre

Downloads & Resources

  • Open Forum Events Sponsorship Brochure
    Open Forum Events offer a number of partnership, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities that can meet your marketing and business development needs.
  • Improving Lives - Autism and Learning Difficulties 11.10.17 presentations.zip
    Improving Lives - Autism and Learning Difficulties 11.10.17 presentations.zip

who will attend

  • Carer
  • Chairs
  • Chief Executives
  • Clinical Commissioning Group member
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Councillor
  • Direct Payment Team member
  • Director of Adult Safeguarding
  • Director of Adult Social Services
  • Director of Disability Services
  • Director of Older People’s Services
  • Director of Supported / Sheltered Housing
  • Directors of Children’s and Youth Services
  • Directors Young Offenders Institutions
  • Directors/Heads Educational Welfare Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Child Abuse Investigation Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Child Exploitation Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Child Protection Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Local Safeguarding Children Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Looked After Children Teams
  • Directors/Heads of Voluntary Sector Providers
  • Doctor
  • DoLS (Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards) Co-Ordinator
  • Head teachers
  • Health and Wellbeing Boards member
  • Learning Disability / Disability Liaison Nurse
  • Medical Directors
  • Neighbourhood and Community Policing Team member
  • Personalisation and Self-Directed Support Team member
  • Probation Officer
  • SENCOs and SEND Teams
  • Senior Police Officers and Public Protection Units
  • Social Workers
  • Support Workers