- 23rd September 2026
GovTrain Policy Summit
Introducing a redesigned conference model, where policy moves into delivery, and the lifecycle spans far beyond a singular conference experience or day of learning.
Event overview
The GovTrain Policy Summit brings together senior leaders across government, health, education and delivery systems — not to revisit the problem, but to activate solutions.
This is a structured, working environment focused on alignment, clarity and progression into real-world activity.
National Policy Direction
An opening perspective setting out current national direction, expectations, and priorities across children’s social care, safeguarding, and system accountability.
This will frame the day and provide context for how organisations are expected to respond in practice.
Speaker
Senior Representative, Children’s Social Care Reform
Department for Education (DfE)
The New Accountability Landscape
Content:
- Current expectations across safeguarding and SEND
- Inspection focus and system accountability
- Where organisations are most exposed
Outcome:
Clear understanding of expectations and risk
Chair
Rachael Wardell
President, Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS)
Yvette Stanley
National Director, Social Care, Ofsted
Steve Crocker
Director of Children’s Services, Hampshire County Council
Colin Pettigrew
Director of Children’s Services, Norfolk County Council
Where Systems Are Failing
Content:
- Threshold inconsistencies and delays
- Multi-agency breakdowns
- Capacity vs demand challenges
Outcome:
Recognition of real system pressure points
Chair
Anne Longfield
Executive Chair, Centre for Young Lives
Harriet Fisher
Director of Children’s Services, London Borough of Hackney
Tom Cahill
Director of Children’s Services, Trafford Council
Dr Sarah-Jane Marsh
Former Chief Executive, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
What Good Actually Looks Like
Content:
- High-functioning system models
- Decision-making and governance
- Evidence and defensibility
Outcome:
Clarity on what effective delivery looks like
Chair
Josh MacAlister MP
Former Chair, Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
Jenny Coles
Former Director of Children’s Services, Hertfordshire County Council
Alison Michalska
Corporate Director Children & Families, Nottingham City Council
Michael Sanders
Executive Director, What Works Centre for Children’s Social Care
Commissioning & Funding What Works
Content:
- Commissioning for outcomes vs activity
- Aligning providers to delivery needs
- Managing demand and capacity
Outcome:
Improved commissioning clarity
Chair
Claire Murdoch
National Director for Mental Health, NHS England
Martin Pratt
Corporate Director Adults & Health, London Borough of Camden
James Bullion
Executive Director Adult Social Care, Norfolk County Council
Deborah Jenkins
Director of Commissioning, East Sussex County Council
From Strategy to Implementation
Content:
- Translating strategy into delivery
- Workforce capability and structure
- Governance and performance oversight
Outcome:
Understanding how to move from intent to delivery
Chair
Hilary Cottam
Founder, Radical Help
Eleanor Brazil
Executive Director Children’s Services, London Borough of Croydon
Dave Hill
Former Executive Director Children & Families, Essex County Council
Moira Gibb
Former Chair, Social Work Task Force
Action Labs
Facilitated breakout sessions focused on:
- Identifying immediate next steps
- Defining pilot opportunities
- Aligning partners and delivery support
Outcome:
Clear actions and follow-on opportunities
Facilitator
Andy Smith
Former Director, Children’s Services, Ofsted
Facilitator
Rachel Dickinson
Former President, ADCS
Facilitator
Lynn Perry
Chief Executive, Barnardo’s
Agenda
*Speaker line-up is indicative and subject to final confirmation.
Opening Keynote
National Policy Direction
An opening perspective setting out current national direction, expectations, and priorities across children’s social care, safeguarding, and system accountability.
Session 1
The New Accountability Landscape
Current expectations across safeguarding and SEND; Inspection focus and system accountability; Where organisations are most exposed.
Session 2
Where Systems Are Failing
Threshold inconsistencies and delays; Multi-agency breakdowns; Capacity vs demand challenges.
Session 3
What Good Actually Looks Like
High-functioning system models; Decision-making and governance; Evidence and defensibility.
Break
Lunch & Strategic Networking
Structured opportunity for engagement between local authorities, health systems, education leaders, and delivery partners.
Session 4
Commissioning & Funding What Works
Commissioning for outcomes vs activity; Aligning providers to delivery needs; Managing demand and capacity.
Session 5
From Strategy to Implementation
Translating strategy into delivery; Workforce capability and structure; Governance and performance oversight.
Session 6
Action Labs
Facilitated breakout sessions focused on: Identifying immediate next steps; Defining pilot opportunities; Aligning partners and delivery support.
Close
Closing Summary & Next Steps
Summary of key themes, emerging priorities, and the pathway forward into webinars, training, and implementation programmes.
Fruqently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There is no shortage of insight.
What is missing is coordination.
The Summit creates the conditions for:
- Alignment across systems
- Shared understanding of priorities
- Identification of practical next steps
- Movement toward coordinated action
- Structured cross-sector discussions
- Focus on key system challenges
- Contributions from senior leaders
- Identification of delivery opportunities
- Alignment across organisations
The Summit is not an endpoint.
It connects directly into:
- Ongoing GovTrain activity
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Progression into structured delivery environments
This is uniquely designed to lead into decisive structured activity, often including pilot and procured levels of delivery. Ensuring strategy visions meet tactical application.
- Senior leaders across local authorities
- NHS and ICB leadership
- Education and SEND leaders
- Commissioners and system partners
- Be part of a focused, high-level discussion
- Contribute to shaping system priorities
- Align with organisations facing similar challenges
- Move beyond discussion into coordinated action
Register your interest
Places are limited to ensure the right level of engagement and discussion.