Trinity Child Care barrister and Professor of Family Law, Kim Holt, will be taking part in an important public lecture at Northumbria University on Wednesday 16th October from 6pm.
Entitled “Public Inquiries into the care and protection of children. Should there be an alternative approach to investigating historical cases of child abuse?”, Professor Kim Holt will join a group of academics and professionals, all experienced in child care and child abuse issues, in delivering a series of lectures regarding the challenges of Public Inquiries and Serious Case Reviews.
Professor Nancy Kelly and Dr Sharon Vincent of Northumbria University, Alyson Leslie, retired social worker and researcher, and Sandy Cameron CBE, Chair, Council of the Scottish Association for the Study of Offending, make up the panel of speakers. They will discuss the extent to which Public Inquiries drive change and improvements in practice and will present the findings from a four-day expert summit on the topic.
At the event, the panel will explore whether Public Inquiries are fulfilling all of their competing objectives and question how to rethink the purpose, scope, methodology and impact of Inquiries to ensure value for money and ultimately place children, victims and survivors at the centre of future Inquiries.
As a Professor of Family Law, in Chambers Kim practises exclusively in the field of family law proceedings. She has developed a high-profile practice specialising in both Public Law and Private Law Proceedings. Having been involved in Serious Case Reviews as a chair, author and committee member for 32 years, Professor Holt continues to work with colleagues at Northumbria University, and a range of stakeholders on a research project examining the effectiveness of Public Inquiries into historical allegations of child abuse. Professor Holt previously practised as a social worker and Children's Guardian for over 20 years in the North West of England.
The lecture is free to attend. Full details, including how to book, can be found here.