Dear Friend
There’s something powerful about coming together.
Across Scotland, we continue to see the difference that strong relationships, shared learning and collective action can make in the lives of care experienced young people. Whether you're supporting young people directly, influencing policy, shaping services or bringing lived experience to the conversation, you are part of a community committed to creating better futures.
This summer and autumn, we have some exciting opportunities to connect, learn and inspire one another. Our new summit series is designed to bring together voices from practice, policy and lived experience to explore some of the most important issues facing young people today. We’re looking forward to welcoming many of you to our first summit, No Wrong Door: Improving Transitions into Adult Services, where we'll be exploring how we can work together to create smoother, more supportive pathways into adulthood.
We're also delighted to announce our National Conference 2026, No Cliff Edges: Pathways to Adulthood, Connection and Opportunity. Building on the conversations from our summits, the conference will bring our community together for a day of learning, reflection and action, focused on the relationships, opportunities and support that help young people thrive as they move into adulthood.
Whether you're joining us at a summit, contributing a conference workshop proposal, exhibiting, sponsoring or securing your conference place early, we hope you'll be part of these important conversations. Together, we can continue to challenge thinking, share what works and strengthen the support available to care experienced young people across Scotland.
Thank you for being part of our community. We look forward to connecting with you in the months ahead.
With warm wishes
Jo Derrick
Chief Executive
| | Staf National Conference 2026 announced | Our national conference is taking place slightly earlier this year and we are now excited to share both the theme of the day and our open call for submissions.
No Cliff Edges: Pathways to Adulthood, Connection and Opportunity Tuesday 6 October
Stirling Court Hotel
In a landscape where services and systems are increasingly pressured and complex, relationships remain one of our most powerful tools for change. For care experienced young people and for those who work alongside them, it is the quality of relationships, continuity of support and sense of belonging that play a vital part in shaping the journey into adulthood.
This conference creates a shared space to explore how we best support this journey. This year’s conference builds on our summit series to focus on what it takes to support real pathways into adulthood.
Since they were a huge hit in 2025, we will again be hosting workshops from a range of our members and project partners. And we will of course be showcasing all the latest from our Staf projects. Call for submissionsWe are now inviting conference contributions from practitioners, policymakers, researchers and care experienced young people who want to share: Good practice and relational approaches Innovative or emerging projects Practice-based learning and reflections Research that informs better pathways into adulthood Creative work that explores connection, identity and belonging
We are particularly interested in work that shows what is possible when we move beyond systems and focus on people, relationships and continuity.
We welcome submissions that explore: Pathways into adulthood Relationships that last Stability, security and opportunity Voice, rights and participation Workforce and practice Creative and expressive approaches
We strongly encourage interactive and participatory approaches, rather than traditional presentation-only formats.
Please email your proposal to jennifer@staf.scot by Friday 17 July 2026. For full details on submitting a proposal, visit our website. Exhibition opportunitiesWe will have a range of partners attending with information and exhibition stands. We invite you to get in touch if you would like to exhibit at our conference or sponsor the event. Explore the available opportunities in our guide or email bookings@staf.scot to discuss bespoke options for your organisation.
It's always a sellout, so grab your early bird tickets now. As always, our members benefit from further discounted rates, plus we offer a group booking discount. | | | | | Sign up for our online summits | Staf is bringing people together for something special - a brand new series of online summits designed to spark ideas, challenge thinking and strengthen the support around care experienced young people. Whether you’re a long-standing member or new to Staf, these sessions offer a unique space to connect, reflect and be inspired by voices from across policy, practice and lived experience.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple but powerful belief: real change happens when we listen, learn and act together. From amplifying the voices of young people with care and justice experience, to strengthening relationships and improving systems, Staf’s work is rooted in collaboration and shared learning. Our new summits build on that commitment - and we want you to be a part of it. Why join us? Across Scotland, there is growing recognition that systems can feel complex and fragmented, but strong relationships, shared learning and collective action can transform outcomes for young people. These summits are your chance to: Hear directly from those with lived experience Engage with fresh thinking and emerging practice Connect with others across sectors Be part of shaping what comes next
Who is it for? You don’t need to be a Staf member to join. Everyone with an interest in improving outcomes for care experienced young people is welcome. So whether you’re looking to learn, connect or contribute, we’d love to have you with us. Member rates and further discounts available when you book all 3 events. | | | | | No wrong door:
Improving Transitions into Adult Services | Our first summit is coming up in just a few weeks and we still have a few spaces remaining.
Transitions can shape a young person’s future. Join us for this inspiring online summit bringing together leading voices from policy, practice and lived experience to explore how we can create smoother, more effective journeys into adulthood and adult services.
Featuring expert speakers from CELCIS, Scottish Government, ARC Scotland, The Promise Scotland and Staf, the event will offer practical insights, fresh thinking and real-world examples across health, care, justice, education and housing.
Whether you're a practitioner, manager, policymaker or support professional, this is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your understanding, connect with colleagues across sectors, and help shape better outcomes for young people.
Book now to be part of the conversation driving meaningful change. | | | | | Staf focus groups and forums | | |
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