Inaugural SPPA conference on 6th October 2017 at Woburn House, London WC1H 9HQ
Social pedagogy is often defined as ‘education in its broadest sense’.
Social pedagogy in the UK is most recently associated with more effective, relationship centred, children’s social care, based in theory and concerned with the whole child as well as caring and learning for carers and staff. Social pedagogy is an educational approach to social problems, so it is not just about meaningful and respectful relationships, important as they are. Social pedagogy is also about development of the whole person, in families, institutions and communities. It is about realising potential, often in small steps, but with wide horizons.
We are delighted, therefore, to invite you to attend the first SPPA conference. SPPA is the professional home of social pedagogy in the UK. Its aim is to be a place and space where everyone interested in social pedagogy can learn, debate, network, share good practice and gain new ideas.
Never has social pedagogy been more important for the UK.
Care and education are twin aims of social pedagogy: it is where care and education meet. There are overlaps and commonalities with the world famous Reggio Emilia approach to early education in Italy, and with the practice in Camphill Communities in relation to institutionally located care for people with disabilities. Evaluations of social pedagogy training and development activities clearly show workforce development benefits as well as benefits for children and young people.
Social pedagogy is a very positive response to ever encroaching austerity measures and the first SPPA conference will be a chance to make links between children’s social care and other settings where a social pedagogic approach might be relevant. Early childhood education and care services, and schools, are two obvious places where children and adults are in a professional relationship and concerned with growth and development of the whole child. Youth work is another. Social pedagogy is not just concerned with children and young people. Social pedagogues are also to be found working with adults with disabilities, offenders and older people attending day care centres or living in residential homes. All of these are affected by financial pressures and ever increasing service demands.
The conference will be a welcoming and invigorating blend of inspirational key note speakers, experiential and practice based workshops, evolving special interest groups and networking. We look forward to your active participation!
View detailed workshops and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) information here
Please note: The evening of Thursday 5th October 2017 will be a Members Only event, at which the 1st Annual General Meeting of the Social Pedagogy Professional Association will also be held. Formal notification of the AGM will be sent to Members in accordance with SPPA Articles of Assocation.