Youth Offending Conference 2014

The first Dyslexia and Youth Offending Conference took place at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club, on 27^th November 2014.  Over 100 delegates from as far as the Isle of Man to Manchester and from Surrey to Newcastle were welcomed with bacon sandwiches and coffee in the Brian Labone Room. A range of exhibitors such as Dyslexia Action demonstrated their support tools and information for delegates working with young people with hidden disabilities.

Kate Saunders CEO of the British Dyslexia Association opened the event by introducing Donna Stevenson who gave an overview of the Youth Offending project and what has been achieved. This presentation can be downloaded below.

Bob Hext MD of Crossbow Education Ltd gave a presentation on Visual Stress: What everyone should know which can be found here

David Ahern CEO of the Shannon Trust gave a very interesting presentation on the work they are doing teaching prisoners to read using the resource Toe by Toe. This presentation can be downloaded below.

Melanie Jameson, a freelance consultant working across the justice system on SpLD gave an presentation on the vulnerability of young people with Dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties. This presentation can be downloaded below.

Glenys Heap from Dyslexia Action gave a talk on Hidden Communication needs which highlighted the importance of good and effective communication skills in Youth Offending teams.

Jo Gregory of the British Dyslexia Association spoke about the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Quality Mark for Youth Offending teams and Young Offender Institutes. This presentation can be found below as well as an overview sheet on the BDA Quality Mark. 

The day came to an end with closing remarks from Lord Storey and thanks from Mel Byrne Director of the Dyslexia SpLD Trust. It really was a great day which demonstrated the hard work and progress that we have made over the past two years with Youth Offending teams.  

Katrina Cochrane of BDA and Project Director said "the lasting legacy of the project will be in the relationships built by networking,sharing ideas and finding out about resources and what has worked in YOTs, such as Liverpool."

Many thanks to all the organisers and attendees who made this an inspiring and informative conference. 

Downloads

The Shannon Trust Vulnerability of young people with Dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties Hidden Communication Needs YOT Project Overview The BDA Quality Mark Quality Mark Information Leaflet

Other Resources