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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 managed Quarriers Family Resource family support services for six years before becoming an Operational Manager for Quarriers Children, Young People and Families services.
Previous Speakers
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.
Dez Holmes
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.
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
