Events
November 4, 2024:Education and Language Abilities in Pre-, Post- and During Prison for Young People — University of Greenwich
A meeting was held for academics and practitioners from the UK and Norway, including leads from Youth Justice, prison health divisions, Pupil Referral Units, and key policymakers from Children and Young People Integrated Commissioning in Greenwich, London.
The event aimed to raise awareness of language difficulties in young people involved with the law and the function of key services, such as education in prison.
Speakers included:
Maria J. Arche (University of Greenwich, Chair of CA 22139)
Alexandra Perovic (UCL, Science Communication Coordinator CA 22139)
Lise Øen Jones (University of Bergen, CA 22139 member)
Emma Clements (Service Lead Youth Justice, CA 22139 member)
Elaine Williams (University of Greenwich, Lead of WG 4, CA 22139)
Ella Simpson (University of Greenwich, WG 4, CA 22139)
Marie Cresswell (Speech and Language Therapist, Youth Justice Service)
Rachel O’Conner (Principal Education Psychologist)
Eva Tabaton (Head of Virtual Schools and Inclusion)
Roneeta Campbell Butler (Head of Children and Young People Integrated Commissioning)
Karen Francis (NHS-Kent Integrated Care)
December 13, 2024: Meeting of London Region Heads of Youth Justice Service, London, UK, Ministry of Justice.
June 18, 2025:Learning from the Stories and Silences of Lived and Living Experience — University of Greenwich
We hosted a hybrid training and dissemination workshop titled “Learning from the Stories and Silences of Lived and Living Experience”, featuring a keynote by Professor Lois Presser (University of Tennessee) and talks by lived experience experts:
Lady Unchained (Poet, Author, Broadcaster)
Kam Stevens (Digital Consultant, Filmmaker)
Aaron Anthony (Educational Key Worker)
The presentations focused on reforming discriminatory systems, drawing on input from young people with current criminal justice experience.
July 8, 2025:Raising Awareness of Language Needs in Youth Justice — University College London
This one-day policy event brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and young people with lived experience. The event was introduced by Dr Alexandra Perovic (UCL and Science Communication Coordinator, CA 22139) and Prof Maria Arche (University of Greenwich and Chair, CA 22139), and included a presentation from our Action members, Dr Miranda Bevan (King’s College) and Dr Vicky Kemp (University of Nottingham) on their work, “Children in Custody: Piloting a Child-First Approach” and three panel sessions:
• Understanding Language Needs:
Chaired by Professor Karen Bryan (York St John University, COST 22139 member), this session included experts such as Prof Courtenay Norbury (UCL), Jodie Holden (SLT, YJS Hounslow, COST 22139 member), Charlotte Brassett (SLT) and Gemma Blair (EP) from YJS Camden, and Mai Yasuhara (Intermediary, Triangle Legal Services).
• Lived Experience:
This panel, chaired by Dr Ella Simpson (University of Greenwich, COST 22139 member), featured a presentation created by young people with experience of youth justice (London Borough of Greenwich), alongside experts like Lady Unchained (Poet, Author, and Broadcaster), Kam Stevens (Digital Consultant and Filmmaker), and Aaron Anthony (Educational Key Worker).
• Policy Solutions:
The day’s themes led to a final Policy Roundtable, chaired by Derek Munn (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists). Policymakers and leading figures responded to the discussions, including: The Hon. Mrs Justice May DBE (Judicial Lead for Youth Justice), Shelley Kyle (MoJ Youth Custody Service), Prof Stan Gilmour (University of Exeter), and Claire Moser (Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, COST 22139 member).
July 10, 2025:University of Cambridge
We were invited to present the Action at a research workshop at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, alongside experts in inclusive education and linguistics.
The workshop, “Individualised language learning: partner and stakeholder workshop,” showcased the Action’s multidisciplinary approach as a model.
