Care leavers seminar: real lives and legal duties

On 11th May 2016 Doughty St is welcoming Ben Ashcroft to chambers to speak about his experiences as a care leaver.  Ben is the author of Fifty-One Moves which vividly describes his own experiences as a looked-after child and as a care leaver.  His story tells of the ways in which services to care leavers can fall short, but he is also, ultimately, a success story: an individual who in surviving some awful circumstances has become an inspirational character.  Ben is a wonderful speaker and his experiences bring home the huge importance of the duties owed to care leavers under the Children Act 1989.

The seminar will also have (shorter) talks from me and Caoilfhionn Gallagher on some of the current legal issues relating to care leavers.  The session will be chaired by Chris Callender of Steel and Shamash solicitors.  Chris was formerly the legal officer at the Howard League for Penal Reform and has acted for many years in leading cases brought under the Children Acts by looked after children and care leavers.

I hope you join us.  The seminar will start at 6.00pm and run to about 7.30pm.

To reserve your place, email events@doughtystreet.co.uk  or contact  a member of our events team on 020 7404 1313.