Join Us at the Welfare Call 2025 Annual Forum: Shaping the Future Together
At Welfare Call, we believe that the best solutions are built with our customers, not just for them. That’s why we are delighted to invite our valued colleagues and partners to the Welfare Call 2025 Annual Forum — an invitation-only event for our customers and users designed to share knowledge, spark ideas, and shape the future of how we work together to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
This forum isn’t just another conference. It’s a space designed exclusively for Virtual Schools, Local Authorities, and professionals who are already using Welfare Call’s solutions, giving you direct access to insight, innovation, and collaboration that you won’t find anywhere else.
Why Attend the Welfare Call 2025 Annual Forum?
1. A Space Dedicated to You
This event is not open to the public; it’s designed purely for our customers. Every session, every conversation, and every insight will be directly relevant to your work. This is your opportunity to meet with fellow Virtual School Heads, senior leaders, and Welfare Call users from across the country who share your challenges, ambitions, and commitment to improving outcomes for children.
2. Exclusive Insights and Product Developments
Be the first to hear about our upcoming developments and innovations. The forum will give you an inside look at what we’re working on and how we’re continuing to evolve our solutions based on your feedback. You’ll see first-hand how Welfare Call continues to invest in tools and services that respond directly to the needs of Virtual Schools and Local Authorities.
3. Hear From Your Peers
The agenda is designed to amplify the voices of customers, with case studies and presentations showcasing how different Virtual Schools and Local Authorities are making an impact using Welfare Call’s services. This is a chance to gain practical insights and learn what’s working elsewhere, directly from those doing the work every day.
4. Shape the Future of Welfare Call Services
This is more than a showcase – it’s a conversation. We want you to help shape the next phase of Welfare Call’s development. Customer forums like this one have always played a crucial role in influencing how we prioritise product improvements, training, and support. Your voice matters, and this is your opportunity to make it heard.
5. Network, Share, and Collaborate
The forum is also a rare opportunity to connect face-to-face with your peers from other Virtual Schools and Local Authorities. Whether you’re discussing common challenges, sharing successes, or learning new approaches, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and stronger relationships.
Guest Speaker Confirmed!
We’re very pleased to welcome Dr Paul Shuttleworth, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Kingston University London, as our guest speaker this year.
A leading voice in kinship care, Dr Shuttleworth’s research and work dives deep into the lived realities of children raised by relatives or family friends and shines a light on the unique challenges they face. He calls for a shift away from seeing kinship care through a narrow cost-saving lens and urges recognition of its complexity, resilience, and potential.
Here’s where Virtual Schools come into focus: At the heart of Dr Shuttleworth’s session we will be looking at the crucial role of Virtual Schools in overseeing and supporting children in kinship care. Dr Shuttleworth will explore how they can act as a powerful bridge between education, social services, and families – ensuring that no child falls through the cracks. He will also address how collaborative partnerships with local authorities and other agencies are essential in driving meaningful, lasting outcomes for these vulnerable children.
His work challenges us all to reimagine systems of care through the lens of empathy, equity, and evidence-based practice and places children’s voices at the centre. Through innovative and inclusive methods, he ensures that policy and practice are informed not just about children, but by them.
AGENDA
08:15 – 09:00 – Arrival & Registration
Enjoy a warm welcome with refreshments as you settle in and prepare for a day packed with insight, innovation, and inspiration.
09:00 – 12:30 – Morning Session: Insight & Innovation
- Welcome & Overview – Kick off the day with our hosts and an outline of what’s ahead.
- Powerful Keynote: Supporting Children in Kinship Care by Dr Paul Shuttleworth, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, at Kingston University London
A leading voice in kinship care, Dr Paul Shuttleworth’s research and work dives deep into the lived realities of children raised by relatives or family friends and shines a light on the unique challenges they face.
- Showcase: Innovative Virtual School Solutions
Discover cutting-edge tools and approaches from Welfare Call enhancing our offering to suit your needs better.
- Morning Networking Opportunity
Connect with fellow Virtual School professionals, meet our exhibitors, and chat with us one-to-one over refreshments.
- Elective Stream 1 – Choose Your Morning Workshop below
Tailor your experience by diving deep into a topic that matters most to you.
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch & Networking
Recharge over lunch and take time to exchange ideas, reflect on the morning sessions, and explore exhibition stands.
13:30 – 16:30 – Afternoon Session: Collaboration & Impact
- Elective Stream 2 – Choose Your Afternoon Workshop below
Continue your personalised learning journey with another expert-led session.
- The Next Step Forward: Welfare Call 2.0
Discover the next evolution of Welfare Call – designed to empower Local Authorities and Virtual Schools.
- Closing Plenary: Every Child Included
A compelling finale with reflections, Q&A, and a renewed commitment to support vulnerable children
- Afternoon Networking Opportunity
Wrap up the day with more chances to connect, ask questions, meet our team, and explore final insights.
16:30 – Event Close
Leave inspired, informed, and connected – ready to make an even greater impact.
Why Welfare Call?
At Welfare Call, we pride ourselves not only on the solutions we provide but on the relationships we build. We have a long-standing commitment to supporting Virtual Schools and Local Authorities through more than just software. Our forums, customer events, and one-to-one support have always focused on helping you get the most from the tools you use, while also creating a space for open dialogue, shared learning, and innovation.
Our annual forum is part of that commitment. It’s one of the ways we listen, learn, and work alongside you to ensure that together we are improving outcomes for the children and young people you support.
How to Register
This event is by invitation only and places are limited.
If you haven’t yet secured your spot, contact your account manager for details on how to register your first two spaces at either our York or London events in June 2025. We would love to see you there.
📅 York Forum: Friday 20 June 2025
Venue: The Milner York, Station Road, YO24 1AA
📅 London Forum: Friday 27 June 2025
Venue: Woburn House, 20-24 Tavistock Square, WC1H 9HQ
🧠 What You’ll Learn
- Navigating the changing role of Virtual Schools
- Using Welfare Call tools for monitoring CIN, CP, SEND, and Kinship
- Best practices for annual reporting and ePEP strategies
- Peer-led discussions and real-world case studies
- Exclusive insight and announcements of new products and services on Welfare Call’s roadmap
Let’s come together to share, shape, and strengthen how we support vulnerable children and young people in 2025 and beyond.