National Advocacy Conference 2025
sponsored by
Wed 15th, Thus 16th & Fri 17th Oct 2025 - ONLINE
A series of fascinating and inspiring talks will be available on line this year. Tackling a broad range of topics and offering support for people at different stages of their advocacy jounrey - take a look at just what is on offer.
You can buy an online pass for the sessions for just one fee - £50 + VAT. This opens up all sessions. We also offer organisational passes at reduced costs - just get in touch.
If you have bought a ticket for the in person event taking place Oct 13th in Birmingham you will automatically be gifted an online pass.
Programme
Wed 15th October
Prader-Willi Syndrome: More Than Just a Constant Hunger
Sarah Brindle PWSA
10.30am
Often known for causing chronic overeating due to an insatiable appetite, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a far more complex condition. While the constant hunger is one visible aspect, it only scratches the surface. PWS affects key areas of the brain, including the hypothalamus, which controls hunger, metabolism, hormones, and the autonomic nervous system. It also impacts the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions like decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. There are many hidden risks and challenges associated with PWS — from behavioural difficulties to impaired mental capacity — that aren't always seen or understood. Want to know more? Join us as we explore the deeper layers of PWS and discuss its impact on mental capacity, brain function, and daily living.
Personal Injury Advocacy. Jane Kingston, Connected Voice
1.30pm
Find out how independent Advocacy has a role in the multidisciplinary team for survivors of life changing accidents. Connected Voice has been delivering personal injury advocacy for almost a decade and has lots to share with the advocacy sector around the role of brain injury specialist advocates, working with case managers, the legal system and commissioning.
Thursday 16th October
9.30am
Transitions to adulthood: Education, Social Care and the Court of Protection. Ryan Westwell, Irwin Mitchell
Join Ryan as he delivers this session considering the law around transitioning to adult social care; Education, Health and Care Plans for post-16 and 18, and mental capacity, the Court of Protection, and the deprivation of liberty of young people.
Beyond the capacity binary - advocating in the grey areas. Kathryn Holland
11.30am
Kathryn will discuss the hole in the MCA safety net where the ability to exercise choice is impacted not through impairment of mind but the impact of coercion. Whilst most guidance in this area often focuses on domestic situations, it is important to also consider this in institutions: people who are deemed to have 'capacity' but who actually cannot exercise free choice due to the coercive impact of the institution for example. Not understanding this can mean that an advocate is bound to act on someone's wishes alone, whilst effective advocacy would require going beyond this to consider rights and safety.
1.30pm
Children, Deprivation of Liberty and unregulated placements.
Helen Ingleson, Irwin Mitchell
Helen will be discussing the legal framework and up to date case law in this area and how the law can be used to resolve difficulties advocacy partners are experiencing in practice.
3.30pm
Introduction to the Court of Protection, Kirsty MacMillan, Irwin Mitchell
An introductory level session tageting new advocates and those who would like to learn more about the Court of Protection.
Friday 17th October
9.30am
Advocating for Gloriously Ordinary Lives, Tricia Nicoll
Tricia will share her thinking about Gloriously Ordinary Lives and what this means for our role as advocates; how can we facilitate, enable and challenge people’s right to Gloriously Ordinary Lives?
Challenging Age Assessments, Helen Barker, Irwin Mitchell
11.30am
The talk will cover how to assist unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people whose age has been challenged by the Home Office and/or local authority. I will go through the process of challenging the assessment under the judicial review pre-action protocol, how the process works if we issue a judicial review including timescales, and how advocates can help. I will also discuss some case studies and talk about the difficulties facing these young people including trauma, discrimination and safeguarding issues.
1.30pm
Children under 16 and the Deprivation of Liberty Kirsty MacMillan, Irwin Mitchell
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