This year for the first time ever, the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Cymru and Social Care Wales are working in partnership to deliver a unique conference experience. This joint event will be the foremost showcase and networking opportunity for the social care sector in Wales, with something for every care workforce member – from those who work on the frontline in social services, social care, early years and childcare in Wales to directors and senior managers of local authority social services, as well as social work and social care students.

Our anticipated attendance of 600 delegates will also include Welsh Assembly Members, Welsh Government civil servants, elected council members, and senior managers from the voluntary, independent, health, education and housing sectors.

Main Speakers

Our main speaker sessions are aimed at social care leaders and senior managers. More contributors to follow.

Fiona Phillips is a noted Journalist and TV presenter, most well-known for presenting morning show GMTV from 1997 to 2008. She writes an opinion column for the Daily Mirror and supports a number of organisations associated with Alzheimer’s after losing both parents to the disease.

Richard McCann is an exceptional communicator whose ability to inspire an iCan attitude is guaranteed to give people the iCan approach. Not only does Richard live and breathe the iCan philosophy, but has helped thousands of people in the business, corporate, community and education worlds to change the way they think – and act. 

Daniel J. Dutton is a post-doctoral scholar at the School of Public Policy. His current research falls into three general categories: social and health economics, applied policy, and computational epidemiology. Most of his work is quantitative, utilizing large data sets and modelling strategies from economics and epidemiology

Ceri Phillips is Head of the College of Human and Health Sciences at Swansea University and Professor of Health Economics at Swansea Centre for Health Economics. He is the University non-officer member of ABMU Health Board, an independent member of the Health Education and Improvement Wales Board and the current Chair of Council of Deans of Health Wales

Workshops, Networking and Learning Zone

Our workshops, networking and learning zone sessions will be delivered by contributors from across a number of sectors, and will take place throughout the conference. They offer important opportunities to:

• explore current social care policy and practice
• learn about new and future developments
• share examples of innovation and good practice. 

 The conference has three themes, and it is anticipated that the majority of sessions will reflect these themes:

•       older people (with a particular focus on dementia)

•       children (with a particular focus on children in care)

•       the social care workforce (with a particular focus on recruitment and retention).

Workshop and learning zone experiences will enable delegates to get involved as they learn, with formats that are informative, engaging, innovative and imaginative. Whilst workshops will be aimed primarily at senior leaders and decision-makers, learning zone sessions will be aimed at social care practitioners, students and researchers, with potential for cross-over between the two audiences.

 Well-being Festival

As part of this year’s conference, we will be holding a well-being festival featuring a range of engaging events and activities that promote physical, mental, emotional and social health, and delegates are encouraged to explore and take part in these.

Past well-being events and activities have included performances from the Alastair House dementia choir, along with activities such as Tai chi, Art for the Heart, Boccia and Massage.

The well-being festival will take place from 6pm 8pm on Tuesday 11 September, and will be followed by the conference reception with drinks and canapés.

Other Info

Tuesday 11th - 06.00pm - 08.00pm Opening of conference and Wellbeing Festival 

Wednesday 12th - 08.30am - 05.00pm 

Thursday 13th - 08.30am -  01.00pm

Evening Conference Dinner and Dance

Wednesday 12th September 

City Hall, Cardiff

07.15pm Pre-dinner drinks reception until late

3 course meal and entertainment

There is an additional charge for this at £55 per person

More information contstantly being added.

Exciting Sponsor, Exhibitor and workshop opportunites available, for more information please contact Carla.green@adsscymru.org.uk