Join 95+ delegates including senior speakers from the National Crime Agency, West Midlands Police, Northumbria Police, Merseyside Police and more.

Only a few places remain for Westminster Insight’s timely, biannual County Lines Conference on 30th January 2023. Don’t miss the opportunity to join colleagues across Police, education, youth services, health, housing and social services.

The rising cost of living crisis is being used by organised criminals to exploit those struggling to make ends meet and expand recruitment for County Lines. Understand the latest research into how criminals are adapting their strategies to avoid detection. Gain an insider’s insight into the mechanisms of drug lines and how to provide effective exit strategies.

County Lines Police Force Leads from three different areas will share the latest tactics to effectively detect and dismantle county drug lines and prevent drug transportation.  Develop robust information-sharing practices to improve prevention and bring offenders to justice. Hear from frontline services working with young people about how to identify exploitation and intervene at an early opportunity to divert young people away from gangs and prevent cuckooing.

A spotlight session will focus on safeguarding looked after children who are disproportionately targeted by County Lines gangs. Explore the realities and consequences of County Lines drug smuggling, gang involvement, criminal exploitation and serious youth violence through previous perpetrators and runners/transporters perspectives. Take away ideas from a case study of collaboration between health services, local authorities and police to reduce the supply and demand of drugs to disrupt County Lines.

Key speakers:

• Chaired by: Tony Saggers, Delivery Partner, Tackling Child Exploitation Support Programme, Children’s Society and Former Head of Drugs Threat and Intelligence, National Crime Agency
• Detective Superintendent Syed Hussain, County Lines Operation Lead, West Midlands Police
• Stuart Liddell, Detective Chief Inspector Intelligence, Force Coordination and Operations, Northumbria Police
• Darren Wallace, County Lines Taskforce Lead, Merseyside Police
• John Pitts, University of Bedfordshire, and Adviser on violent youth gangs to Central Government, local authorities and police forces
• Andrew Poole, Head Teacher, Everton Free School
• Kendra Houseman, Service Manager- Exploitation Team, Safer London
• Nsang Cristia Esimi Cruz, Team Manager, REACH, London Borough of Barnet
• Confirmed Representative, CELLS Project
• Andrew Walker, Young Adder Partner Lead and Manager, Streetlives
• Emily Aklan, Founder and CEO, Serenity Welfare

Key Points:

• An update on current perpetrator models and the changing patterns of County Line activity
• Lessons learnt from nationwide crackdowns on County Lines
• Disrupting County Line networks through intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration
• Understanding the engagement factors that attract children and young people into gang culture
• Exploring the methods used to groom, recruit and exploit young people
• Identifying children at risk of exploitation and training all staff to recognise the early warning signs
• Preventing and intervening with residents at risk of cuckooing
• Safeguarding looked after children from County Lines involvement
• Working in partnership with health services to reduce the demand for drugs to impact County Lines

View Agenda <https://www.westminsterinsight.com/events/county-lines-digital-conference/?booking_code=Email6T-3762834>

Book Now <https://www.westminsterinsight.com/events/county-lines-digital-conference/book/?booking_code=Email6T-3762834>

Perinatal mental health (PMH) problems affect around 1 in 4 new or expectant mothers*, covering a wide range of conditions. The leading cause of direct maternal death in the UK is suicide, and 40% of deaths within the first year after pregnancy are related to mental health.

Despite significant increases in funding for specialised Perinatal Mental Health (PMH) services since 2016, clear gaps in services remain.

Westminster Insight’s Perinatal Mental Health digital conference will raise awareness of PMH and share best practice and the latest expertise. Leaders and expert practitioners across perinatal and maternity services, mental health, social services, and the third sector will focus on early intervention and the provision of holistic PMH support.

Chaired by Laura Seebohm, CEO, Maternal Mental Health Alliance, we’ll be joined by expert speakers including Dame Lesley Regan DBE, Women’s Health Ambassador at the Department of Health and Social Care, Catherine Barker, Head of Development at the Family Hubs Network, Sandra Igwe, founder of the Motherhood Group and many more.

We will spotlight how to prevent vulnerable mothers from falling through the gaps, including those facing multiple adversities. How can you provide individually tailored services and improve access to support?With clear disparities in access to services based on ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age, hear how services can adopt anti-racist and culturally sensitive approaches to build trust with families in underserved communities.

Experts will share good practice for implementing compassionate trauma-informed care to improve outcomes for children and parents. Explore guidance for supporting families experiencing the loss of a baby or pregnancy. Understand the impact of child removal, and how to provide continuity in mental health support. We will spotlight ways to provide tailored and sensitive physical and mental support for mothers and babies experiencing domestic abuse.

Further information & booking

Digital Conference
Tuesday 21st February 2023
09:15 – 13:30

The challenges facing autistic adults or adults with learning disabilities are vast and pressures are mounting during the cost-of-living crisis. At this crucial time, we are pleased to announce our Improving Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic People Digital Conference. With a particular focus on community-based services, we will address the priorities to improve support to enable people with learning disabilities or autistic people to live fulfilled and independent lives.

We will cover recent updates to policy, including the Building the Right Support Action Plan, and proposals to reform the Mental Health Act. Key commitments include:

• Reducing the number of people with a learning disability or autism in inpatient care by 50% by March 2024
• Proposed new duties on commissioners to ensure adequate community-based services
• Improved monitoring for the risk of crisis at a local level
• Speeding up the discharge process, with an additional targeted funding of £90m in 2022-23.

We will cover the government plans to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care and ensure people can live independently in their communities. You will gain insights on funding and where investment should be targeted to best support people. You will hear best practice guidance to help you to provide meaningful, accessible, person-centred services.

Bringing together government, public services and charities, this half day digital conference will be an opportunity for sectors to come together, share insights and network. You will learn from leaders who have produced successful initiatives to create accessible and visible services for all. Crucially, you will hear from experts by lived experience, and how your services can be more valuable to those they serve.

Book now

Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023

Time: 09:15 – 13:30

“Our ultimate goal is that, across England, people with a learning disability and autistic people are equal citizens able to fulfil their potential. They are supported to live full lives in their community, in their home, with access to the care that is right for them, when and where they need it. Just like everyone else.” *

The challenges facing adults with autism or learning disabilities are vast and pressures are mounting. At this crucial time, we are pleased to announce our Improving Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities and Autistic People Digital Conference. With a particular focus on community-based services, we will address the priorities to improve support to enable people with learning disabilities or autistic people to live fulfilled and independent lives.

Recent policy, including the Building the Right Support Action Plan, and proposals to the Mental Health Act, reaffirms the importance of good quality services in improving quality of life for autistic people or adults with learning difficulties. Key commitments include:

• Reducing the number of people with a learning disability or autistic people in inpatient care by 50% by March 2024
• Proposed new duties on commissioners to ensure adequate community-based services
• Improved monitoring for the risk of crisis at a local level
• Speeding up the discharge process, with an additional targeted funding of £90m in 2022-23.

We will cover the government plans to reduce reliance on mental health inpatient care and ensure people can live independently in their communities. You will gain insights on funding and where investment should be targeted to best support people. You will hear best practice guidance to help you to provide meaningful, accessible, person-centred services.

Bringing together government, public services and charities, this half day digital conference will be an opportunity for sectors to come together, share insights, network, and strengthen the support network for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.

* Department of Health and Social Care, August 2022

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