Category: workforce

Join Us in Medway: A Learning Event for Everyone Working with People with Learning Disabilities & Autistic People

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The Kent and Medway Learning Disability and Autism Community of Practice is hosting a free, face-to-face learning event at the Medway Campus of Canterbury Christ Church University. It runs from 1pm to 4pm. Places are limited.

This is not a conference. It is a participatory, hands-on space built around what staff across Kent and Medway have told us they actually want: space to think together, practical tools, real examples from lived experience, and connection with others doing similar work. Whether learning disability and autism is your whole role or part of it, you are warmly invited.

Step-free access is in place, refreshments are available throughout the day, and attendance counts towards your CPD log.

Places will go quickly. To book or for further information, contact r.germaine@nhs.net.

Learning Disability and Autism: Working Together to Improve Practice
16 July 2026 | 13:00 to 16:00 | Medway Campus, Canterbury Christ Church University
Free to attend | Limited places

LDA_Learning_Event_Flyer_July2026

Community Conference 2024 – booking details

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The Community of Practice conference will take place on 4th December at Chatham Maritime hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University. 

This conference maintains it’s commitment to inclusion and working together with the focus being people with learning disabilities and their allies living Healthy, Safe and Fulfilled lives.

Keynotes have been confirmed from Bemix and their Be a Leader programme, and Ciara Lawrence – Podcaster and influencer – and her Pink Sparkle Podcast and will reflect the two areas of work from last years conference, relating to co-production and Learning Disability Nursing in the South East. 

Details for booking your free place can be found by clicking here.

If you would like to share your work demonstrating people with learning disabilities living healthy safe and fulfilled lives, please complete the short form available by clicking here. 

KSS LD COP Conference 2024 2

New employment opportunity with Bemix

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A new opportunity has arisen to support the development of leaders in Kent and Medway for the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Training.

Bemix, along with partners, Kent Autistic Trust, Aucademy and Canterbury Christ Church University have recently been awarded the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board contract to deliver the Oliver McGowan Training for the next two years. As a result they are looking to grow their team to support trainers with lived experience and facilitators.

To find out more click through to the Bemix website at https://www.bemix.org/outreach-and-support-lead-learning-disability-and-autism

Oliver McGowan Photosymbol

Further opportunities will be shared in the coming months for people with learning disabilities, autistic people and training facilitators to become NHS England approved Oliver McGowan Trainers and part of the cascade of training in Kent and Medway.

Learning Disability events at Canterbury Christ Church in September.

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Canterbury Christ Church will host two more Learning Disability and Autism knowledge mobilisation events in September, continuing the university’s commitment to develop it’s offer to this specialised workforce in Kent and Medway and beyond.

These in person events are free and are aimed particularly at those that are working with people with learning disabilities and autistic people. For more details and booking please see below.

LDA Workforce events Sept 24

Kent and Medway Learning Disability and Autism workforce events

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Canterbury Christ Church University will be hosting a series of learning disability and autism workforce events in 2024, aimed at:-

  • Care staff and professionals working directly with people with learning disabilities and/autistic people, from education, health and care services.
  • Education, Care and Health managers.
  • Police and community support workers
  • Anyone in Kent and Medway working with this diverse population

The first event will feature a presentation from CCCU MSc student and Makaton Trainer Katie Potts and her practice based research investigating how can Makaton be embedded into schools and their wider community.

To book a free place on this first event, please click here