Connect More: How can services, sectors & communities find a shared vision?

Multiple disadvantage sits at the intersection of society’s toughest issues (homelessness, drug and alcohol use, mental health difficulties, criminal justice, domestic abuse and more) and no-one can tackle it alone.

Cross-sector partnerships and the close involvement of communities and people with lived experience are a vital part of the work, but the siloed nature of public services, funding pressures and differing cultures can make progress hard.

Across the county, there are excellent examples of people building deep links with other actors across the system. But finding time for this work can be challenging in today’s pressured environment. Even in established local MEAM Approach and Changing Futures partnerships are the different actors involved really hearing each other? Do they have a shared understanding of the problem and a clear vision for success? How do we ensure the plurality of views needed for effective systems change work?

As government sets out its mission-driven approach to public service reform, and as more areas begin focused local work, join us at the National Multiple Disadvantage Summit 2025 to explore these challenges, deepen cross-sector collaboration, and hear new perspectives about the path to change.

AGENDA

09:30 – 10:15 ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION

10:30 – 11:45 MORNING PLENARY

Extending the invitation: broadening partnerships and finding shared vision

11:45 – 12:00 BREAK

12:00 – 13:00 BREAKOUT SESSIONS

• The bottom line: How can local businesses help tackle multiple disadvantage?
• Global connections: International perspectives on tackling multiple disadvantage.
• Who gets a say and why? Working in partnership with marginalised groups and communities.
• Finding the thread: Where does the criminal justice system sit in terms of tackling multiple disadvantage?
• The care-leaver gap: What does prevention really mean in complex systems?
• University challenge: Working closely with academics to improve outcomes for people facing multiple disadvantage.

13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH

14:00 – 15:00 BREAKOUT SESSIONS

• Traumatised systems: Can the most difficult interventions like child removal ever be trauma-informed?
• How successful is your system? Advancing your approach.
• The power of frontline workers: How can their depth of experience be harnessed for system change?
• Coproduction: Language, labels and “living experience”.
• Making every person count: data and insight for change
• Supporting people who sell sex: the legislative framework, potential changes, and what this means in practice.

15:00 – 15:15 BREAK

15:15 – 16:30 CLOSING PLENARY

Hidden depths: how can we deepen partnerships for greater impact?