VoxCon

What is VoxCon?

Mind Of My Own is all about the voice of the child and since ‘vox’ means voice, it was an obvious choice for our community events. VoxCons are days full of fun and useful insights. They’re a great opportunity for the Mind Of My Own community to network and share stories and implementation tips.

VoxCon 2019 was attended by an energetic blend of over 100 professionals and young people! Thank you to everyone who attended. Take a listen to our VoxCon podcast special. Check out our 2018 conference to see how much it’s grown!

2019 also saw our first ever VoxCon Scotland!

VoxCon 2019 Speakers

We’re very grateful for our keynote speakers, who bring an external perspective to the importance of children’s voices.
help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Carol Iddon

Carol has worked over many years in a range of social care services for children, young people and families including child protection, looked after children and children in need. Joining Action for Children in 2003, she was appointed  in 2016 to the role of Managing Director for Children’s Services, with overall responsibility for the delivery of services across the UK. Carol represents Action for Children and establishes good relationships with other statutory, voluntary, and private sector organisations.
help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Ewan King

Ewan joined the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in 2014 and is currently the chief operating officer as well as Engagement Lead for the What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care. Ewan leads SCIE’s work on the integration of health and social care, personalised care, asset-based approaches, innovation and children’s social care.

VoxCon Scotland Speakers

help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Kevin Browne-MacLeod

Kevin is the Director for care-experienced membership with Who Cares? Scotland, and is care-experienced himself. He has overseen the delivery of programmes which place care-experienced people at the forefront of campaigns and change in legislation, policy and practice. Kevin previously worked for the office of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children & Young People on a number of national children’s rights based projects. He also spent 8 months on the Independent Care Review, offering insight and expertise around the need for transformation of care.

Andy Williamson

Andrew joined Quarriers as Head of Adult Services in 2013, and became Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 2014.

He has extensive experience within the retail and care sectors and specialises in managing large scale operations and projects.

Prior to working with Quarriers, Andrew was Regional Director at Care UK Scotland.

He was also a Regional Director for East of Scotland with Southern Cross before moving to Care UK.

help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Mandy Morrison

Mandy Morrison has worked in children, young people and families services for over 25 years.  She started working with young people as a detached youth worker, before moving on to Quarriers youth homelessness services for over ten years.  She spent time working in rural areas as a community development worker and was part of piloting home link services for early years in Argyll and Bute. Returning to the central belt, she managed Quarriers Family Resource family support services for six years before becoming an Operational Manager.  She recently moved to North East Scotland as Operational Manager for Quarriers Children, Young People and Families services.

Previous Speakers

help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Lemn Sissay

Playwright, author, poet and broadcaster, Lemn is also care experienced and continues today to support children and young people in care. The many running themes of his keynote, relating to the reality of being a young person in care today, captivated the audience from start to finish.
help children and young people express themselves and communicate

Dez Holmes

Dez is the Director of Research in Practice and Research in Practice for Adults, having previously been the Assistant Director of Research in Practice.  She leads these organisations in championing evidence-informed practice across the children’s and adults social care sector in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, adults requiring support and their families and carers.

Workshops

The Mind Of My Own community loves nothing more than the chance to swap notes on ways to promote and implement the apps. Our interactive workshops cover the range of themes that excite and inspire participants to share experiences and learn from each other.

Using Express to gain views of younger children

When talking to younger children, as well as children with additional support needs, it can sometimes be difficult to know what they aren’t telling you. This workshop provides insight and ideas on how to approach children who may not have the words to express what they’re feeling or what’s going on, and help you think about how to use Express to build and enhance your relationship with them.

Implementation Change Management Masterclass

The implementation of Mind Of My Own apps change the way workers carry out direct work and communicate with young people using your services. This workshop is designed enhance your implementation journey teaching you the principles of stakeholder engagement, as well as strategies to influence and support people through change.

Improving participation in foster care reviews

How use if Mind Of My Own apps have significantly improved the way they capture the voice of the child in foster care reviews.

Supporting Inspections

Ex Ofsted inspector Natalie Trentham, leads a fantastic workshop demonstrating how Mind Of My Own apps support organisations to deliver high-quality services that truly evidence the voice of the child.

Mind your language

How changing language can change perspective – You can read all about this terrific workshop delivered by the Children in Care Council of Birmingham Children’s Trust in this blog post.

Evaluating Mind Of My Own

How Mind Of My Own data can be used and evaluated to inform strategic service-delivery decisions and inspections.

help children and young people express themselves and communicate
help children and young people express themselves and communicate
help children and young people express themselves and communicate

2019 Champions

Every year we present awards for exceptional performance amongst our community. Here are the current reigning champions across our categories:

Most improved

Northumberland – Winner

Most Creative Mind Of My Own Comms

Gloucestershire – Winner
South Lanarkshire – Scottish Winner

Swiftest implementation

Aberdeen city – Winner

Most statements relative to scale

Cambridge – Winner
Midlothian – Scottish Winner

Greatest Social Media Activity over the year

Birmingham – Winner
Midlothian – Scottish Winner

Most memorable Mind Of My Own story (People’s Vote)

Gloucestershire – Winner

Come and say hello

Want more Mind Of My Own news? We are ready to tell you all about how Mind Of My Own apps are revolutionising the world of children’s participation. You can drop us a line, give us a call or arrange to meet the team in person.

hello@mindofmyown.org.uk