Welcome to the inaugural meeting of the VODG Policy and Public Affairs Professional Network. This network will take place on 8 December 2025, from 10.00 - 12.00.
We are excited to have our network co-chairs, alongside Sarah Woodhouse, the Director of Policy and Influencing, who will facilitate the meeting. This session aims to create a collaborative environment where policy-focused members can converge to discuss relevant topics and pressing issues affecting our sector.
During our first meeting, members will have the opportunity to introduce themselves, share their professional backgrounds, and express what they hope to gain from the network. Following these introductions, we will provide a comprehensive policy update that will cover a wide array of developments and challenges currently impacting our sector, sparking insightful dialogue during our Q&A session. Members will be encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences to enrich our collective understanding.
After the initial discussions, we will break into smaller groups to focus on three key topics: the Fair Pay Agreement, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and Welfare. These breakout sessions will enable deeper engagement and collaboration among members, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives.
In our next session, we will discuss various resources and tools that can enhance members' roles within their organisation. This will include practical discussions around the use of DODs (Department of Development and Social Policy) and Dehavalin, among other tools. Members will be invited to share insights on what has worked well for them and explore new strategies that may benefit the wider group.
To conclude the meeting, participants will be invited to suggest future topics and ideas that could help shape the agendas for our upcoming meetings. This collaborative effort aims to ensure that our professional network remains responsive to the evolving needs of our sector.
We look forward to your participation and contributions as we embark on this journey together.
Co-Chairs
Anna Collishaw-Nikodemus, Head of Policy Voice and Influencing at Kids
Donna O'Brien, Policy, Public Affairs and Research Manager at SeeAbility
Davina Jones, Head of Policy Influencing and Social Change at Brainkind
Programme
| 10.00 - 10.10 | Welcome, network overview and Introductions | Kerry Hamilton, VODG Director of Membership and Operations Sarah Woodhouse, VODG Director of Policy and Influencing |
| 10.10 - 10.25 | Getting the most out of the network | Member Discussion |
| 10.25 - 10.55 | Policy update and Q&A | Sarah Woodhouse, VODG Director of Policy and Influencing |
| 10.55 - 11.05 | Break | |
| 11.05 - 11.35 | Topic Discussion (Focus on three key topics: the Fair Pay Agreement, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and Welfare) | Anna Collishaw-Nikodemus, Head of Policy Voice and Influencing at Kids Donna O'Brien, Policy, Public Affairs and Research Manager at SeeAbility Davina Jones, Head of Policy Influencing and Social Change at Brainkind |
| 11.35 - 11.50 | Resources and tools | Member Discussion |
| 11.50 - 12.00 | Final Round-up and End | Kerry Hamilton, VODG Director of Membership and Operations |
Accessibility
Please note, should you have any accessibility requirements, we will do our best to make necessary arrangements to support you; however, we may require up to four weeks notice, so please list your requirements on the booking form. Closed captions are used as standard in online meetings. If you have any concerns, please email [email protected].