Children, families and neighbourhoods: new directions in policy and research

Convenors: Dr Eleanor Jupp and Dr Helen Lomax, Health and Social Care, the Open University

This event will bring together practitioners, researchers and policy makers with an interest in children, families, and parenting in disadvantaged communities and current issues around policy and service provision.  It forms part of the development of new Open University research projects on families and parenting in community contexts. The aims of the workshop will be:

• To explore current issues in this area including shifting models and resources for interventions with families; and the needs of families in neighbourhoods in the current economic climate
• To discuss some recent innovative research on parenting, children and families in neighbourhood contexts and how insights from this might be translated into practical resources for practitioners

The event will involve two panels of short presentations followed by group discussions.We will be inviting delegates from councils, children’s services and centres as well as researchers and policy makers.Attendance is free and funding is available for expenses for delegates from policy and practice backgrounds.

1030 Welcome and Introduction: Dr Eleanor Jupp (Health and Social Care, the Open University)

Panel One (1045 – 1200): Current and future issues for neighbourhood services for children and families. Speakers to include:

• Naomi Eisenstadt (University of Oxford, former national director of Sure Start)
• Professor Brid Featherstone (Health and Social Care, the Open University)

Panel Two (1200 – 1315) Understanding neighbourhoods for children and families: new methods and approaches from research.  Chair: Dr Janet Fink (Social Policy, the Open University). Speakers to include:

• Dr Helen Lomax (Health and Social Care, the Open University) and Miranda Sharp (Visual artist)
• Catherine Pratt (Project Director, The Knee High Project, The Design Council)
• Bart Gamber (Director of Programmes, Vital Signs project, MK Community Foundation)

Lunch: 1315 – 1400

For queries or to book a place please email Eleanor.jupp@open.ac.uk