The conference will serve as a forum to share good practice and emergent research and evidence about promising approaches in this field

• It will provide delegates with the opportunity to explore new ideas and research that might help them develop their own practice/policy
• Enable child welfare NGOs, and other relevant bodies to establish contact and to build peer relationships by sharing ideas; challenges; issues; solutions; and approaches to better serve the needs of children and families
• Raise awareness, understanding and increase commitment to early intervention
• Encourage contributions from practitioners and academics in a range of disciplines including health, mental health, education, social services, social policy, youth justice, voluntary sector and others as appropriate
• Encourage contributions which cover the conference themes from the point of view of developing countries as well as advanced economies
• Encourage contributions from children and young people

Evidence-based Approaches
Exploring approaches to early intervention and prevention that are evidence-based through quantitative and/or qualitative evaluation – e.g. methods of assessment, different stages at which an intervention is provided, how effective prevention programmes have been in minimising problems

Data Collection
Methods of gathering information on the risk and protective factors affecting children, young people and families that provide a basis for informed policy and programme development. Also ways of collecting and sharing information to identify children, young people at risk of poor outcomes or maltreatment.

Service Innovation
Ways of identifying children and young people who may need therapeutic services, diagnostic services, ways of sharing information, preventative services which are innovative

Strength-Based Approaches
Enhancing existing strengths and resilience of children, young people and their families receiving services. E.g. parents as experts of their child’s problems and needs, children taking control and making decisions about their treatment

Community Engagement
Community engagement is a way of developing services by involving children, young people and their families in decisions that affect them. This can mean involving them in the planning, development and management of services

Equality and Diversity
Equality is about creating a fairer society in which all children and young people, regardless of skin colour, ethnicity, religion, social class or sexual orientation have the same opportunity to fulfil their potential. Diversity is about recognising and valuing difference in its broadest sense

Quality Assurance
The development of high quality services, procedures for monitoring services to ensure minimum standards. Exploring ways of improving practice including training and development.

• Early Intervention and Prevention
• What do we mean by Early Intervention?
• Why intervene early?
• Aims and sub-themes
• Additional information

Download information about the WorldForun here