Raising Aspirations for Young People in Care Conference

Join us for a thought-provoking and inspiring conference designed for professionals, carers, educators, and advocates dedicated to supporting young people in care. This event provides a platform to explore new ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on ways to empower young people to achieve their ambitions.

Featuring keynotes (including from care experienced public speakers, Chris Wild and Mary-anne Hodd), insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. The conference promises to be a meaningful experience for all who attend.

Book your place now and receive updates as sessions are announced.

Programme

09.00am - Arrival and registration
09.25am - Welcome
09.30am - Keynote: Chris Wild
10.30am - Comfort break
10.40am - Teesside University student services and care leaver support
11.00am - Breakout session one
12.00pm - LUNCH
1.00pm - Keynote: Mary-anne Hodd
2.00pm - Breakout session two
3.00pm - Care-experienced Q&A panel
3.20pm - Plenary
3.30pm - Conference close

Keynote: The State of It: By Chris Wild

The State of It is a powerful keynote in which Chris Wild traces his journey from childhood loss and life in care to leadership, reform, and authorship. Drawing on lived experience and honest reflection, he challenges how we understand trauma, resilience, identity, and potential within the care system. The session highlights how instability shapes identity, how labels limit potential, and why stability, belief, and meaningful relationships are essential for young people to thrive. Chris also explores the emotional cost of “resilience,” the impact of imposter syndrome, and the discomfort that often comes with growth. Blending personal insight with practical strategies, he shows how lived experience can drive real reform and offers real-life insight to the impact of policy and practice, while calling us to rethink how we support and advocate for care-experienced young people.

Profile
Chris Wild is one of the UK’s leading voices for children and young people in care - a nationally recognised adviser, author, and campaigner whose work is reshaping the care system. Drawing on his own lived experience, he speaks with honesty and urgency about systemic failure, imposter syndrome, and the harsh realities of leaving care, transforming personal insight into national policy influence. As the best selling author of Damaged and The State of It, and founder of Foster Greatness UK, Chris combines grassroots advocacy with strategic reform, challenging stigma and amplifying the voices of care experienced young people across the UK and Europe.

Keynote: Mary-anne Hodd - The Words We Write, How Language Shapes Aspiration

This session explores how the language used in education settings can shape how care-experienced young people see themselves and their futures, drawing on Mary-anne’s own journey through care and the lasting impact of professional recordings and narratives.

Profile
Mary-anne Hodd is a lived experience speaker, trainer and consultant who works across the UK with professionals supporting care-experienced children and young people. She draws on her own time in care to lead sessions on language, identity, participation, trauma, and growth after adversity. Mary-anne is the founder of Journeys That Care, offering CPD-accredited training, and the founder of The Guarantor Scheme for Care Leavers.

Breakout sessions

Recording with Care: Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Language in Education - Mary-anne Hodd

An interactive workshop offering practical approaches to trauma-informed, strengths-based recording in education settings. Participants will explore how to write records that recognise context, build aspiration, and leave behind narratives that empower rather than limit young people over time.

Foster Greatness UK - Chris Wild

Foster Greatness UK is an emerging digital community platform created by and for people impacted by the care system, offering ongoing connection, empowerment, and practical support beyond age 18. Designed for current and former care-experienced young people and adults, it provides a safe, supportive space where lived experience shapes every opportunity, resource, and programme.

More workshops to follow