In-person event
Transform Data. Transform Lives.
Join children’s social work, policy and data leaders to explore how trusted insight can help Scotland improve outcomes for children and families.
Wednesday 2nd September 2026
12.00pm – 3.30pm
This is an in-person event, at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.
Hosted by Duncan Dunlop MSP at the Scottish Parliament, this exclusive event brings together leaders from social care, local government, data and technology to explore how better use of insight can help Scotland understand the needs of children, young people and families, ease pressure on frontline teams and support more informed decisions when they matter most.
Why Attend?
Across Scotland, social work teams are working hard to support children, young people and families in increasingly complex circumstances, often with limited time, stretched resources and fragmented information. This event creates space for the right people to come together, share perspectives and explore how joined up data and insight can help services understand needs earlier, act with greater confidence, and create lasting positive change for the people who rely on them.
At this event, we’ll explore how Scotland can transform data into action, and action into better outcomes for children, young people and families.
- Why Scotland needs to know its children better, and how stronger partnership across the system can help create lasting change.
- What the data challenge looks like in practice, what gets in the way, and what good could look like for children’s services.
- Lessons from North Yorkshire and how they’ve used technology to free up social workers time, including how innovation can support better decision making.
- How Simpson Associates supports organisations to turn trusted, joined-up data into insight, action and measurable outcomes.
- A spotlight on Scottish councils, sharing local perspectives, emerging ideas and opportunities for collaboration.
- A panel discussion with data leaders and social workers on the realities of change, the role of technology and the future vision for children’s services.
What to Expect
Expect a focused, collaborative session hosted by Duncan Dunlop MSP, opening with a call to action on how Scotland can be a better partner to its communities and know its children better. The agenda will move from the data challenge and what good looks like, through real-world examples including a spotlight on Scottish councils, a cross-sector panel with data leaders and social workers, and a future vision discussion.
Together, we’ll consider how Scotland can fix the system around children’s services, reduce pressure on the people delivering care, and use data to transform lives.
Who should attend?
This event is designed for:
- Directors of Children’s Services.
- Heads of Children’s Service.
- Chief Social Work Officers.
- Chief Digital Officers.
- Data and Analytics Leaders.
- Social Care Leaders.
- Local Authority Transformation Teams.
- Frontline Social Care Practitioners.
Register Your Interest
Places are limited due to venue capacity, and registrations will be reviewed before places are confirmed. Register your interest using the form below to be added to the holding list for approval. Once your place has been reviewed, we will confirm whether you have secured a place at the event.