A few of us have been busy organising a multi-disciplinary conference : “Is the Child Protection System Fit For Purpose?”. When I say a few, I mean chiefly the very efficient and drive @svphillimore who is Head Organiser. This is a multi-disciplinary conference with a difference because it’s not just one group of professionals talking to another, it’s an attempt to bring together different groups of professionals with other stakeholders. Yes, we are going to the dark side *cue dramatic music*. We are going to try and get Family Justice Professionals engaging with actual real live families, litigants, care survivors, campaigners, lay supporters… We are probably a bunch of misty eyed mad fools but we are (if I may say so) an eclectic but impressive group of misty eyed mad fools. We have lawyers, psychologist, social work professionals and various parent support groups coming, speaking, organising. And I’m really pleased to say that Sir Mark Hedley (formerly Mr Justice Hedley) has agreed to attend and address the conference. And he is certainly no mad fool. The event is on 1 June at NCVO and is open to book now. It is as cheap as we have been able to make it and we are very excited. Even if you can’t come yourself I’d be very grateful if you would circulate this link and information to your colleagues and others who may be interested in attending. Further information at the Transparency Project (who are supporting the event) here.