Welcome to 91����’s Annual Conference

91����’s Annual Conference 2025 in partnership with Safehinge Primera invited those who share the aim of giving young people a chance at life, bringing together residential care, youth justice and education. All were encouraged to work alongside one another in a trauma-informed way and put young people at the centre of decision-making.

Opening the day was 91���� Executive Director Dan Johnson and young person Rachel who shared personal insight into how everyone’s role can shape young lives. She called for every child to be treated as an individual, emphasising how important it is to be listened to when navigating experiences, emotions and challenges that can feel overwhelming at times.

“You just kind of think that you’re a bad kid because everybody assumes you’re bad.” Young person

The authenticity resonated with attendees reminding everyone how powerful their role is in shaping the lives of young people.

“Hearing from Rachel at the start of the day was very grounding.” Attendee

The young person’s welcome set a positive and motivating tone for the entire day ahead.

Meet Our Speakers

Children and Young Person’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) Nicola Killean chaired the event and introduced the Minister of Children and Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes as well as a host of powerful speakers and interactive workshops.

Minister of Children and Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes reinforced that collective action remains a priority, highlighting the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment, recognising by working together, real progress can be achieved.

“Together, we are building a system that puts children first, delivers on The Promise and ensures every child in Scotland has the chance to thrive.”

“The 91���� conference is a valuable opportunity to bring professionals together to share ideas, strengthen practice and inspire innovation in care. By listening to children, working in strong partnership, and delivering nurturing care, we can help to ensure every child grows up loved, safe and respected.” Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes

Supporting every child is no small feat and requires everyone to work towards the collective goal.

Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes

Expertly introduced by chairperson, CYPCS Nicola Killean, each keynote delivered messages that connected with attendees. The line-up included: care-experienced Rap Artist Ric Diaghe; Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Helen Minnis; Assistant Director for NSPCC Scotland Kirsty Aitken; and Foxgrove Service Manager Victoria McInulty. Every speaker brought compelling insights and a unique perspective.

Children and Young Person’s Commissioner Scotland, Nicola Killean

Ric Flo brought reflections to life through performance. He shared how his own experience of growing up in care inspired him to create music and encourage others to express themselves too. From performing at Glastonbury to delivering creative workshops across the UK using art to connect with young people.

He led the audience in a warm, heartfelt rendition of one of his songs, inviting everyone to join in singing the lyrics; “You need to be what you want to be, do what you want to do.”

Every person in the audience was moved by Ric explaining the impact positive relationships have on planting the seeds that can change the trajectory of young people’s lives.

“My foster carers hugged me from day one, they showed me love. Asked me “how was your day at school”, and checked in with me every day to ask how I was feeling. Without them I wouldn’t know how to show love”. Ric Flo

Rap Artist, Ric Flo

Professor Helen Minnis, University of Glasgow highlighted how to support care experienced young people through trauma and neurodivergence, helping them to thrive.

“Children who are sensitive to bad things, are also sensitive to good things.”

Helen’s message of optimism resounded throughout the entire room.

Professor Helen Minnis

Assistant Director for NSPCC Scotland, Kirsty Aitken demonstrated captivating story-telling, recounting her personal reasons for striving towards a trauma-sensitive approach when supporting young people.

Assistant Director for NSPCC Scotland, Kirsty Aitken

Service Managers Victoria McInulty and Helen Smith introduced Foxgrove, Scotland’s National Secure Adolescent Inpatient Service, explained that from the very beginning, the space has been shaped with a trauma-informed ethos at the centre. Trust, compassion, openness, acceptance and consistency form the foundation for Foxgrove being a trauma-informed space and place.

Service Managers, Victoria McInulty and Helen Smith

Introducing a Variety of Workshops

With a full schedule of sessions across the day, every attendee found valuable learning relevant to their role. Education, youth justice, residential care, trauma and mental health were some of the key themes covered in our packed programme.

91���� led a workshop on Animal-assisted Play Therapy. Attendees heard directly about how the calming presence of animals has helped children and young people build confidence, regulate emotions, and engage in therapeutic relationships in ways that often weren’t possible before. Joined by a young person, attendees gained an authentic lived experience perspective.

“Workshops were excellent and allowed valued insight into young peoples lived experiences.” Attendee

Headline sponsor, Safehinge Primera announced their purpose is to design for good. They gave an intricate and in-depth look at how they innovatively create safer environments with doors and the wider settings, prioritising robustness while supporting therapeutic design.

Safehinge Digital Solutions Director, Elgar Finlay

Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) presented the findings from the 2025 Secure Care Census, which had a 100% response thanks to young people and each of the secure providers in Scotland.

Renfrew High School sparked discussion on the power of effective de-escalation when working with dysregulated behaviour. Listeners were championed to “focus on good things and manage behaviour without shame” while remembering there can be “invisible backpacks” that cause unseen pressure. Enthusiastic discussion was had as everyone wanted to join in and find ways to help validate the feelings of young people, making sure they feel safe.

“Really interesting workshops, I wish I could’ve attended them all.” Attendee

Yunus Centre for Social Business and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University motivated the audience to use co-production as a vehicle for change in services, encouraging everyone to find fresh ways to let young people’s voices guide the way. Reminding us all: “co-production does not need to be formal, it can just be conversation”.

Who Cares? Scotland support care experienced people to have their voice heard and, in their workshop, motivated everyone in the room to always lead by example in showing young people they matter. Who Cares? Scotland emphasised that “independent advocacy is transformational”, reinforcing “young people’s rights are not optional”.

Our Hearings, Our Voice inspired lively audience participation and attendees shared ideas and solutions to the topics discussed with energy and enthusiasm. A standout point was supporting young people reach their future milestone of having the practical skills needed for independent living.

“Very inspiring workshops. Young people were part of the sessions I attended. It was empowering to have them be part of it and speak so well.” Attendee

It was a privilege to bring educators, practitioners, therapists, psychologists and many others who make a difference in the lives of young people together for collaboration and action.

Jim Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of 91���� explains our unique position to host a large conference and bring together all who influence the lives of young people wanting us all to collectively follow a trauma-informed approach.

“We are committed to ensuring we can achieve positive outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children and we understand the true impact that collaboration can have on the services and support that we collectively offer young people.”

“91����’s Annual Conference reinforces our commitment to young people by ensuring collaboration and sharing best practice, is front of mind so we can collectively help those children and young people who need it most.”

Overall, the experience was designed to leave you inspired, motivated and carrying with you a new insight or perspective.

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Executive Director, Neil McMillan began the event and introduced the chair, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Nicola Killean.

The powerful speakers included Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd; Dr Lisa Cherry, Director of Trauma Informed Consultancy Services; Graeme Armstrong, Bestselling Author. As well as 91���� Clinical Director, Dan Johnson.

Minister, Maree Todd reflected on progress made so far and understood it is us our only our collective efforts that will lead to meaningful change for children and families across Scotland. Dr Lisa Cherry gave her insight into belonging, emphasising the answer is always relationships. Clinical Director, Dan Johnson highlighted there is a call for changing with young people and shared research findings to help gain an understanding of the world of young people today. Best-selling author, Graeme Armstrong delivered a compelling keynote of his personal experience of gang culture in Scotland. Each keynote was different yet all resonated with everyone in the room, motivating us all to do even more to help.

“Our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.” Brene Brown as cited by Lisa Cherry.

There was a wide-variety of engaging workshops from different organisations including CELCIS, CYCJ, Resilience and Learning Partnership. Additionally, 91����’s own workshops included The Value of Adoption by 91���� Adoption and Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA); Integrated Practice in Residential Child Care from Therapeutic Practitioner, Rachel Nolan; Principal Teacher, Lucy Farr and Service Manager, Caitlin Donachie; and Transforming Lives Through Workforce Development by Depute Director of Education, Leona Donnelly and Head of The Skills Academy, Lisa Wardlaw.

‘The Value of Adoption’ session by 91���� Adoption and CVAA asked – what’s best for children? The question was answered in detail with Operations Manager for 91���� Adoption, Paula Harkins and Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies UK (CVAA), Satwinder Sandhu explaining the potential of adoption and the plans to further modernise and provide a better world for children.

Whereas, ‘Integrated Practice in Residential Childcare’ by 91���� considered the link between therapy, education and care and following 91����’s therapeutic trauma-informed model. Case study examples were discussed to identify learnings and challenges. The stories motivated us to continuously find ways to work collaboratively and also, alongside young people.

The education workshop delivered by 91���� Depute Director of Education, Leona and Head of The Skills Academy, Lisa Wardlaw encouraged attendees to reflect on their own career journey, asking: what did you want to do at five-years-old? Before comparing it to today’s job title. Leona used the opportunity to highlight: there is no wrong path, all experiences have the power to teach us skills that can one day lead to a positive destination. The Skills Academy place importance on teaching young people on how to adapt and socialise. By developing meta skills and interpersonal skills, young people have the resources and tools to reach positive destination.

Exhibitors were from various valuable organisations and included YGam, Paws for Progress, Children in Scotland, Pineapple Contracts and Kingsway Group. There was also, Mind of My Own, Scottish Sentencing Council, Peeple, Do-Be Mindful, 91���� Fostering and 91���� Adoption and Scottish Institute Residential Child Care.

Overall, the inspiring day was thriving with people ready to drive forward change. Our hope is for the influential keynotes and transformative workshops continues to resonate and leads to meaningful, lasting actions that improve the lives of young people.

Take a Look at Photos from 91����’s Annual Conference 2024