NCHN Summer Conference 2026

The Northern Children’s Homes Network (NCHN) Summer Conference 2026 will bring more Ofsted inspection themes and priorities, networking opportunities and important sector updates, and will again host keynote speakers including:

Susan Stewart: ‘Young People with Communication Difficulties within the Looked After and Criminal Justice Systems’.

Susan is a Registered Intermediary (RI) and Speech and Language Therapist (SLT). She currently assists vulnerable children aged 7 and older, and vulnerable adults, to give their best evidence at police interview or court. Susan has over 25 years’ experience in working with children, young people, and adults with communication needs (including DLD, ASD, ADHD, attachment needs, Learning Disability, trauma, anxiety, depression, plus those whose needs have not yet been recognised and understood).

Within her Speech and Language Therapy career she has specialised in working with children and young people with complex needs, including those within the care system. She worked for 19 years as an NHS Speech and Language Therapist and set up the secondary Language Resource Base in County Durham, also establishing a SLT service for young people who offend within County Durham Youth Offending Service.

Susan will provide an overview of speech, language, and communication difficulties including:

• considering the links between trauma and communication
• highlighting how communication difficulties and trauma may impact children and young people within the looked after and criminal justice systems
• exploring how intermediaries can assist vulnerable young people give their evidence at police interview or court
• detailing what we can each do to meet the communication needs of young people.

Join us at the wonderful Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens and enjoy a day of learning, development and shared community with the NCHN.