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) | | | Ayrshire College
What's happening?
A short presentation outlining Ayrshire College’s processes, services and partnerships that support care experienced students, including wellbeing, engagement, transitions, financial support, retention, and collaboration with external partners, while highlighting student successes and lived experiences.
| | | Wendy McColl - Head of Student Experience, Ayrshire College
Wendy provides strategic and operational leadership across a range of services that support students throughout their time at college. Her portfolio includes information and learning resources, education support, careers and employability, engagement and wellbeing, counselling and specialist liaison provision. She also has college-wide responsibility for Fitness to Study, student conduct and safeguarding policy and practice.
Wendy is passionate about creating a college experience where every learner feels valued and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential. She works closely with students, colleagues and external partners to understand and remove barriers, strengthen early intervention and safeguarding, and improve student wellbeing and engagement. Student voice and evidence are central to her approach, helping to shape practical improvements that widen access and support students to succeed. | | Teri Evans - Engagement and Wellbeing Team Leader, Ayrshire College
Teri leads services that help students feel connected and supported throughout their time at college. Her remit includes student engagement and wellbeing, support for care-experienced and estranged students, student carers and veterans, financial wellbeing, early intervention and safeguarding. She works closely with teams across the college and with external partners to make sure students can access the right support when they need it.
Teri is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive college environment where students feel valued and able to achieve their ambitions. Working with students, colleagues and partners, she develops practical approaches to the issues and barriers students face, with a particular focus on wellbeing, engagement and retention. Her work helps ensure wellbeing is part of the wider student experience and that students have the support they need to succeed. | | 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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