Building Brighter Futures for Every Child
Careers That Care South West is a free one day flagship regional event bringing together the people, professions and partnerships at the heart of children’s services. Located at Bristol’s MShed on September 24th, 2026, it hopes to celebrate the impact of our work, reconnect with purpose, and inspire the future of children’s services across the South West.
Children’s services are changing. Demand is rising, systems are evolving, and the work has never been more complex – or more important.
Careers That Care South West creates space to:
- Speak honestly about the realities of the work
- Reconnect with the difference we make every day
- Strengthen a workforce that is supported, skilled and inspired
- Keep children and families at the centre of everything we do
- Because building brighter futures for children starts with empowering the people who care for them.
Who is it for?
Whether you’re established in your career or exploring your next step, this event brings together a diverse and values-driven audience across children’s services, including:
- Local authorities, universities and sector leaders
- Children’s social care professionals
- Education and early help practitioners
- Foster carers and fostering professionals
- Health and support services
- Career changers looking for purposeful work
- Students, newly qualified and soon-to-qualify professionals
- Local authorities, universities and sector leaders
What to expect
A dynamic, inspiring programme designed specifically for the children’s services workforce:
Inspiring Speakers & Honest Conversations
Bringing together powerful voices from across lived experience, research and regional leadership, the Careers That Care conference features an inspiring line-up of speakers. Luke Rodgers BEM, who grew up in the UK care system and experienced homelessness at 15, now leads a national movement to ensure young people shape the services designed for them, driving a cultural shift across local authorities. He is joined by Professor Felicity Thomas of the University of Exeter, a leading expert in culture and health inequalities and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Culture and Health, whose research sheds light on poverty, mental health and community wellbeing. Alongside them, Vikki Jervis, South West Regional SEND Co‑ordinator and Principal Educational Psychologist, brings deep expertise in system-wide improvement, championing collaboration across education, health and care to strengthen outcomes for children and young people. Together, they offer a compelling and thought-provoking perspective on how we can better support, listen to and advocate for those in our care.
Practical, Career-Focused Sessions
Explore the evolving landscape of children’s services, with sessions on:
- Practice and innovation
- Resilience and wellbeing
- Partnership working
- Lived experience and co-production
Exhibition & Networking Space
Connect with employers, training providers and sector organisations in a vibrant, collaborative environment.
Professional Development
Take part in CPD-aligned sessions designed to add real value to your practice and future career.
Be part of it
Together, we are building brighter futures for every child.
- Register your interest
- Book your place
- Partner with us