About the session
We're thrilled to offer on-demand access to a landmark keynote speech by Luke Rodgers BEM, delivered at the National Association for Virtual School Heads (NAVSH) Conference, commemorating a decade of achievements for care-experienced individuals.
As a renowned lived experience leader and founder of The Care Leaders, Luke has dedicated his career to amplifying the voices of care-experienced people and integrating their invaluable insights into the heart of children’s social care development. His keynote speech at NAVSH not only celebrated 10 years of transformative success but also shared a decade of lessons learnt from a journey filled with recognition, advocacy, and systemic change.
From the outset in 2013, when Luke was honoured with the 'Children's Achievement Award' for his advocacy and determination to overcome challenges, to a significant moment in 2023, where The Care Leaders received the 'Workforce Development Award' for their impactful work with local authorities, Luke’s journey is a testament to the power of turning lived experience into actionable strategies for systemic improvement.
Luke’s message is clear and profound: Investing in people goes beyond sharing lived experiences; it's about fostering their ideas for systemic change, swapping stories for skills, and providing opportunities for personal and professional development. He passionately argues that true progress in children’s social care requires lived and professional experience leaders to work in partnership, valuing each other's knowledge equally to drive meaningful change.
This speech is not just a reflection on a decade of advocacy and achievement; it's a forward-looking vision for the future of children's social care, grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of their background, has valuable insights and ideas that can contribute to systemic improvement.
Whether you’re a professional in the children’s sector, a care-experienced individual, or someone passionate about social change, Luke’s keynote offers invaluable insights into the importance of lived experiences in shaping the future of social care.
