Polly Wright

Polly is an experienced keynote speaker, trainer, researcher and project manager. She joined KCA as an associate from a children's services manager role at Barnardo's where she managed the National Information Centre on Children of Offenders; implementation of Care Leavers in Custody service and the SW Children Affected by Parental Offending Engagement Service.

Polly has a particular interest in participatory research and policy development and co-authored the Social Care Institute of Excellence Guide Involving Children and Young People in Social Care (2006). She has developed participation strategies within both health and social care services and is passionate in her belief that if any policy or practice is to effectively meet the needs of children and families, it must be informed by those who it affects. To this end she has worked alongside children and families to provide them with the support and training to actively participate in the production of research and policy influencing. And has written and delivered training and related to participatory ways of working and presented at national conferences.