The Moving on Up Network held an important event last week, attended by over 130 delegates and chaired by Jonny Hoyle, the session featured many thought-provoking discussions on care experience.

The event’s keynote speaker and author of ‘Damaged’ and ‘The State of It’, Chris Wild shared his personal story, advocating for care experience to be recognised as a protected characteristic. A fantastic panel including Samantha Jeffery (Hertfordshire County Council), Mark Bone (Gloucestershire County Council), and Darren Bishton (Catch22) discussed the successful implementation of care experience as a protected characteristic across a Local Authority.

Gareth Evans from the Care Leaver Covenant provided updates on services and offers available for young people followed by presentations from The Department for Education’s Jess Nightingale, Paul Russell, and Ian Turley covering responses to the Care Review, apprenticeship policies, and changes to English and Maths education.

Participants were lucky to hear from Care X members Harlie and Leo who shared how their line managers supported them through their apprenticeships, emphasising the importance of trust, voice, and belonging in overcoming challenges.

The event concluded with a reminder from Jonny Hoyle: “Survival shouldn’t be our aspiration for children and young people in care, success should be!”

The Moving On Up Network is a collaboration of like-minded organisations who are working to support an increase in care experienced young people accessing apprenticeships. You can join the network for free, to find out more, please click here.