Policy and Influence

This workshop encourages discussion, reflection and critical thinking to enhance your safeguarding adults policy and procedures is fit for purpose.

Developed through the lens of those with lived-experience, this workshop focuses on the fundamentals of developing an effective policy and the accompanying procedures and applying a values-based approach.

Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
Time: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Location: Online
Price: £99 per person

Objectives For the Session

Where do tribunals fit within the public law system of remedies, and why is this important?
Victoria Pogge von Strandmann, Public Law Project

Part 1: Introduction to tribunal representation
The opening session covers some basics of tribunal housekeeping such as understanding the bundle and keeping all your paperwork together, and advocacy tips on using additional evidence, avoiding repetition and what to consider when discussing cases with clients. The speakers will also address the use of AI by appellants.

Part 1: Supporting families in the SEND tribunals
A presentation by National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) caseworkers with a practical focus for those navigating the SEND tribunals, including an overview of the tribunals process and important rules and procedures.  It will also look at issues such as social barriers to the appeals process, gathering children’s views and getting parent’s perspectives for hearings.
Lorraine Friend Thomas, Lamina Lloyd, and Hannah Pinchin, National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)

Part 1: Advocacy in the welfare benefits tribunals (First Tier Social Entitlements Chamber and Upper Tribunal)
Top tips on advocacy, including common issues such as DWP not attending hearings, preparing and presenting complex evidence, and asking the tribunal for adjournments and dealing with delays.
Chair: Matt Ahluwalia, Garden Court Chambers
Brandi Amiss-Towler, Free Representation Unit
Martin Williams, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

Part 1: Advocacy in the immigration and asylum tribunals

How can you maximise your chances of success in appealing refusal of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests in the First Tier and Upper tribunal?

What are the essential rules and procedures that appellants need to understand?
How do you ensure the tribunal is presented with the clearest and best case for transparency and disclosure?
What public law arguments can be used in the tribunal?

Speakers

This political campaigning masterclass will explore strategies to engage effectively with policymakers, developing tools and techniques that are tailored to the change you want to make.

The session will:

A 90–minute pay as you can webinar from SMK in partnership with The Mint House centre for Restorative Practice

Elections and their associated campaigns can contribute to community break down, sharpening divides, even among people who share values and goals. But after the dust has settled from either the unexpected or the predicted election results, activists and changemakers need to be able to continue to pick up the pursuit of social justice.

Action for radical change in NHS, public services and VCSE – presented by Five Giants Foundation, People’s Powerhouse, Wellbeing Enterprises.

We know the change that is needed. A profound shift from a system that does things to people to one that does things with them. We know this because change is happening: the public, health, voluntary and community sector working differently – and we see the positive outcomes. Yet doing to is deeply embedded. We all want things to change but somehow the system resists and carries on with business as usual. And so the problems just get worse.