Leeds Inclusion Conference to Address Parenting and Youth Support

Event aims to bring together families, professionals and young people

A major inclusion conference is set to take place in Leeds this autumn, aiming to create dialogue between parents, young people, and professionals involved in support services. The Afrikindness Parenting & Inclusion Conference (APIC2026) will run across several events in October and November, focusing on themes of parenting, youth voice, and professional practice.

Conference Details and Themes

The main conference will be held on Saturday 24 October at Bridge Community Church Conference Hall in Leeds. It will feature discussions on a range of topics including:

• Safeguarding and parental rights
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and neurodiversity
• Mental health
• Culturally responsive practice
• Complex parenting experiences
• Youth voice

Up to 50 speakers and contributors are expected to participate, including local civic and community leaders, practitioners, service providers, and individuals sharing lived experience.

Additional Programme Events

Alongside the main conference, there will be a Youth Employability Workshop on the same day for young people aged 15 to 21. This workshop aims to help participants develop practical skills such as CV writing, interview techniques, LinkedIn use, career planning, AI and digital literacy, communication, and personal branding.

Following this, on 28 October, an Exhibition & Business Roadshow will provide families and communities the chance to meet organisations, services, and businesses supporting people across Leeds, Bradford, and West Yorkshire.

The programme concludes with an Online Neurodiversity Summit on 7 November. This summit will explore topics including autism, ADHD, diagnosis and support pathways, stigma, and practical approaches to supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Participation and Audience

APIC2026 is open to families, organisations, and professionals from Leeds, Bradford, and the wider West Yorkshire area. The organisers encourage voluntary and community organisations, schools, health and social care services, SEND professionals, youth organisations, and family-support providers to take part.

The event is designed to facilitate mutual understanding and improve outcomes by enabling families and professionals to share experiences and knowledge. It also provides young people with a platform to ensure their voices are central to discussions affecting their futures.

Registration and Further Information

• General registration for APIC2026: afrikindnessconference.org
• Organisations and service providers wishing to exhibit can complete a form at: Exhibition & Community Showcase
• Young people interested in the Youth Employability Workshop can find more information and register at: Youth Employability Workshop

The conference is supported by sponsors including Nudge Education Limited and The National Lottery Community Fund.

Source: Doing Good Leeds