Staf National Conference 2026: No Cliff Edges: Pathways to Adulthood, Connection and Opportunity
Still time to secure your space!
6 Oct 2026 | | | There is still time if you are considering attending the Staf National Conference 2026. Tickets are selling fast, so act now to attend our unmissable flagship event on Tuesday, October 6 2026, at the Stirling Court Hotel.
This year's conference, No Cliff Edges: Pathways to Adulthood, Connection and Opportunity, will bring together practitioners, managers, policymakers, researchers and people with lived experience to explore how we can create better outcomes for care experienced young people as they move into adulthood.
Our conference agenda is now available to view. Here is a link: Staf National Conference 2026 | Staf (Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum) | | Keynote Speakers Announced! |
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Pauline Cochrane - Senior Professional Social Work Advisor for Children and Families - National Social Work Agency
Pauline Cochrane, the National Social Work Agency's Senior Professional Social Work Adviser for Children and Families, is part of the team of advisers who provide specialist advice across the Scottish Government policy teams in areas including, adult, children’s, justice and mental health social work.
Pauline began her career in residential care and qualified as a social worker 27 years ago. Since then, she has worked across several local authority areas and within social work regulation, building extensive experience from frontline practice through first-line and middle management to senior strategic leadership.
Before joining the National Social Work Agency, Pauline served as a senior manager with responsibility for Children’s and Justice Services. Pauline brings significant expertise in child protection, children with disabilities, gender based violence, permanence, continuing care and aftercare, family-based care, out-of-hours services and justice.
She has a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families and throughout her career, she has maintained a particular focus on family-based care, regulated services and permanence. She holds a number of post-qualifying awards, including the Mental Health Officer Award and a qualification in Permanence. | | | Jamie Aarons - Senior Professional Social Work Adviser for Adults - National Social Work Agency
Jamie Aarons, the National Social Work Agency's Senior Professional Social Work Adviser for Adults, is part of the team of advisers who provide specialist advice across the Scottish Government policy teams in areas including, adult, children’s, justice and mental health social work.
Jamie has been a social worker for over 20 years, initially working within clinical and educational settings with children and families affected by trauma, then transitioning to work more specifically with adults across a range of teams and settings.
A qualified Mental Health Officer, she has held numerous roles cross-cutting policy and practice areas and working across the lifespan, including as a Social Work Officer within the Mental Welfare Commission, and hospital and locality-based social work teams; as Lead Officer for Adult Support and Protection; and most recently as a Professional Social Work Advisor within the Scottish Government. | | Why attend the Staf National Conference?
The conference will provide opportunities to:
✅ Hear from guest speakers and workshop facilitators from across Scotland ✅ Learn about emerging research, policy and practice developments ✅ Share ideas and experiences with colleagues from across the sector ✅ Network with practitioners, managers and decision-makers ✅ Reflect on how we can work together to ensure there are truly no cliff edges for young people moving into adulthood
Whether you work in leaving care services, the third sector, education, housing, health, youth justice or local government, we hope you will join us for what promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking event. Places are limited and we'd encourage members to book now to not miss out.
Book Your Place
📅 Tuesday 6 October 2026
📍 Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling To book your place: 📧 bookings@staf.scot 📞 0141 465 7511
Or visit: 🌐 www.staf.scot/Event/staf-national-conference-2026
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