A space for hope and connection: Reflections from Conference 2026

How do you sum up an event as wide-ranging as Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference? It’s never easy. Each year brings a wealth of voices, experiences and ideas, but 2026 felt particularly special. Julie Thomson, Communications and Marketing Manager, writes about two days of connection – across generations, and the sector, demonstrating a shared determination to create meaningful change for children and young people.

Children and young people’s voices took centre stage

Over the last few months, Children in Scotland has talked a lot about this event being a collaboration with children and young people. But the reality of seeing this level of cross-generational engagement was something truly special, and at times quite emotional. From the rousing keynote from LGBT Youth Scotland’s young people on Day 1, to the slick co-chairing by members of Changing our World, and the many workshops run alongside young people, it reminds us that meaningful solutions to the issues facing children can only be reached when their voices and experiences are given a platform.

Hope and safety

““Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –”

Children in Scotland CEO, Dr Judith Turbyne, began her Day 1 address with a poem from Emily Dickinson, which resonated throughout the event. She was emphasising the need for a safe and trusted space for communities to come together, have difficult conversations, and ultimately drive things forward to make change. Throughout the two days we saw many ways that hope is alive and well in Scotland.

An inspiring keynote from the team at CentreStage, Kilmarnock, on Day 2 demonstrated the outcome of this safety. Scott McCarroll, Community Development coach, drew on his own childhood experience, which has become a roadmap for other young people to follow:

“I still woke up. When I woke up, I knew that something had changed. For the first time in my life, the control was mine. But taking back power still needed somewhere safe to put it. Somewhere where happiness didn’t feel suspicious. No interview, no shame, no label.”

Feeling seen and heard through artistic expression

This year’s conference delivered many demonstrations of creativity and artistic expression allowing children and young people to feel seen and heard. One such initiative in the spotlight was Liminal, an art project and exhibition delivered alongside young patients, with the theme of ‘comfort and disturb’. Poppy, a young person involved in the project, who delivered this workshop alongside the Mental Health Foundation and Edinburgh Hospital Children’s Charity, described how children were often told to stay inside the lines, and indeed the rules of society. This project encouraged them to do the opposite, saying that “when you learn to do things in a different way, you can create and make new things”. She reminded delegates that creativity isn’t just for young people, encouraging adults to “let your creative side out”.

GIRFEC in action

Many of our keynotes and workshop hosts showcased GIRFEC in action, creating a diverse portfolio of its successful outcomes for children and young people. On Day 2, Joanna McDonald, National Chief Social Work Advisor, delved deeper into the theme with her keynote: The Impact of GIRFEC over the last 20 Years – and the way forward. She reminded us that GIRFEC was ultimately about stripping away the jargon and abstract principles and focusing on what a child does well, and what’s wonderful about them, to ultimately meet their specific needs.

Joanna was followed by a surprise address from the new Minister for Children, Young People, and the Promise, Siobhian Brown, who restated the Scottish Government’s Commitment to GIRFEC, and improving outcomes for Scotland’s young people through the prioritisation of children and families, particularly those experiencing poverty.

Pet therapy dogs

And we couldn’t finish this year’s highlights without a nod to Oscar and Olive. In recent years, the pet therapy dogs that have made appearances at our conferences have provided welcome comfort and connection, proving popular with delegates of all ages. Huge thanks to Pets as Therapy for bringing them along again, and leaving us with plenty smiles. A fitting reminder of the warmth at the heart of #CiSAC26.

Enormous thanks to our event sponsors, Kibble, Clearcare Solutions, and Road Safety Scotland.