The College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section

'Good communication is central to working with children, young people, their families and carers. It is a fundamental part of the Common Core. It involves listening, questioning, understanding and responding to what is being communicated by children, young people and those caring for them. Communication is not just about the words you use, but also your manner of speaking, body language and, above all, the effectiveness with which you listen. A key part of effective communication and engagement is trust, both between the workforce, children, young people and their carers, and between and within different sectors of the workforce itself. To build a rapport with children, young people and those caring for them, it is important to demonstrate understanding, respect and honesty.'

Every Child Matters

Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children's Workforce

This year's conference is a one day event in the heart of Birmingham, Britain's second largest city. There are more trees here than in any other European city and perhaps more canals than Venice.
Jury's Inn Birmingham is located on Broad Street at the heart of Birmingham city centre and offers excellent access to the vibrant city centre shopping and exhibition centres. There is car parking on site which is charged by the hotel and is one mile from New Street railway station.

We decided on the theme of communication as it is central to all our professional work with children and their families as well as with our colleagues and the wider political field and is central to the Every Child Matters Agenda. The day will give you the opportunity to:

• Evaluate your own communication style in your work with children, young people and their families
• Identify the principles to improving the communication skills of children with social and communication difficulties.
• Understand how to overcome the barriers to communication when working with children with cerebral palsy.
• Appraise the communication aids that are available to children with communication difficulties.
• Prioritise what is important in promoting Occupational Therapy in the wider political arena.

The AGM will be held during the day and we will be updating you with what the Specialist Section has been doing on your behalf as well as hearing what the issues are for members. This is the opportunity for you to have your say and influence the shape and focus of the Specialist Section in 2009. Members of the NEC will be available throughout the day to discuss issues with members and there will be opportunity to network with colleagues during the refreshment breaks. We will be canvassing for speakers for next year's conference too which is planned for September in Warwick.