Subject: You're Invited to IFCO 2025: Brave Hearts in Care

Join Us in Glasgow for IFCO 2025: Brave Hearts in Care 

June 5–8, 2025 | Glasgow Caledonian University

Staf is partnering with IFCO and The Fostering Network to deliver this international conference in just a few weeks. You will hear from presenters from around the globe, as well as our impressive keynote speakers, Fatima Whitbread MBE and Brenda Matthews.

Check out the details and programme on the IFCO website where you can register at a reduced price before the 26th of May. Select that you are a member of Staf to secure a further discount.

Why Attend?

For over 40 years, IFCO has been a leader in championing family-based alternative care. Unlike typical conferences, IFCO creates lasting legacies in every country we visit, shaping policies, practices, and support networks that impact lives long after the event ends.


This year’s conference theme, “Brave Hearts in Care: Building Trust, Confidence, and Connections”, focuses on strengthening relationships to enhance outcomes for children and young people in foster care. Attendees will engage in collaborative discussions, explore innovative practices, and share experiences to strengthen the care system

Who Should Attend?

Whether you're a foster or kinship carer, a care-experienced adult or young person, a member of a biological or birth family, a case worker or social worker, a throughcare or aftercare worker, a residential care worker, or a leader or policymaker in the sector—this conference offers invaluable insights and networking opportunities.

A Dedicated Youth & Child Track

A unique aspect of IFCO conferences is our dedicated youth and child track, running alongside the main program. Young people with lived experience actively share their perspectives, helping to shape the future of care.

Venue

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) — a vibrant, modern institution in the heart of Glasgow, known for its commitment to social innovation and community.

Why you should get involved in IFCO 2025

A message from our CEO, Jo Derrick

"Nearly three weeks ago now, I was invited to attend Fatima Whitbread’s ‘One Voice Summit’ in London, where I was able to engage in powerful discussions on creating transformative changes in care systems. Fatima's commitment to driving change, rooted in the lived experience of care experienced people is something that deeply resonates with us at Staf. We are thrilled that she will be joining us as a keynote speaker at the upcoming International Foster Care Organisation (IFCO) conference, Brave Hearts in Care, in Glasgow. This year’s theme, Brave Hearts in Care: Building Trust, Confidence and Connections, highlights the vital role of relationships in improving outcomes for children and young people in foster and kinship care.


This conference, in partnership with Staf, The Fostering Network and IFCO, will bring together over 40 incredible speakers and workshop facilitators, both from the UK and internationally. The topics range from carer wellbeing, and coaching support for care leavers, to empowerment through participation, just to name a few – I can’t do the programme justice here, but it is all available on the IFCO2025 webpage. 


Uniquely, the conference encourages workforce and carers to be supported to attend together, which is why there is also a child and youth track that run alongside the conference and over the weekend. The event will also focus on empowering the workforce and policymakers to embrace relational, trauma-informed approaches to care - something that is at the heart of everything we do at Staf.


Our partnership with IFCO and this conference underscores our belief in the critical role carers play in supporting young people through their transitions into adulthood. We are committed to ensuring that our members have access to the best learning opportunities, so we can all continue to support Scotland’s young people in the best possible way. An international conference supports legacy learning and connections on a global platform to be continued beyond the June event, and Staf remains as committed as ever to create platforms for learning and amplification of voice to support workforce and young people at that crucial and complex time in anyone’s life journey – the transition to adulthood. If ever a relational approach is needed in someone’s life to support them to flourish, surely this is the time."

Sign up today!

We can’t wait to welcome you to Glasgow for IFCO 2025 and to work together towards building trust, confidence, and connection in care.