Choose from 4 themed sessions including:

1. Sharon McCormick – Managing Community Tension & Staff Wellbeing
   
   This workshop starts from the recognition that community tensions around housing, migration and resource allocation are often rooted in understandable perceptions of threat and uncertainty, rather than simply a breakdown in community relations.
   
   Traditional approaches can struggle to address these dynamics because they focus on policy explanations rather than the psychological responses communities experience under pressure.
   
   Sharon will introduce trauma-informed frameworks to help leaders navigate these challenges constructively — supporting communities without inflaming tensions or avoiding difficult conversations.
   
   The session will also recognise that frontline staff frequently absorb the emotional impact of community tensions, and that supporting staff wellbeing is essential if organisations are to support communities effectively. Participants will gain practical tools to recognise when colleagues are struggling, initiate supportive conversations and build organisational resilience.
   
   This workshop is particularly valuable for authorities without Psychological First Aid provision, equipping managers with practical approaches to strengthen resilience, promote constructive dialogue and help organisations act as stabilising forces during periods of uncertainty and political pressure.
   
   
2. Mike Waite & Jill Rutter (Belong Network) – Community Tensions: What’s Happening on the Ground
   
   The Belong Network works closely with councils and police forces across the country to research, design and deliver innovative approaches to strengthening community cohesion.
   
   In this workshop, Mike and Jill will share insights from national research, local programmes and real-world experience, highlighting how different localities are successfully monitoring and responding to community tensions.
   
   Participants will gain an understanding of what approaches are proving effective, the challenges organisations are encountering, and practical ideas they can consider applying within their own local context.
   
   
3. Narratives, Data and Evidence 
   Junaid Hussain – Division is Organised. Our Response Must Be Too.
   
   Across the country, communities are experiencing increasing pressure from misinformation, organised protest activity and narratives designed to divide communities along racial, faith and migration lines.
   
   Since the beginning of 2025, Warwickshire has experienced a number of incidents and protests that have heightened local tensions. Junaid will share examples where external far-right groups have sought to exploit local concerns, amplifying hostility and contributing to a rise in hate incidents — particularly online abuse directed towards certain communities.
   
   These experiences underline a critical reality: community cohesion cannot be treated as a peripheral issue. Without deliberate focus and coordinated action, divisions can deepen rapidly and erode trust between communities and public institutions.
   
   This workshop will examine Warwickshire’s response, led by the EQuIP team in partnership with Warwickshire Police, local authorities and the Warwickshire Hate Crime Partnership. Drawing on direct engagement with communities and lived experience, the session will explore how local evidence has shaped a new Community Cohesion Action Plan and the creation of a dedicated Community Cohesion Operational Group.
   
   
4. Integration, Inclusion and Belonging - more information coming soon

Keynote Speaker

Sal – Holding Onto Your True North

Sal, a best-selling author and experienced public sector leader, will explore what it means to lead with integrity and values in an environment that can often feel morally complex and politically challenging.

Through storytelling and reflections from his own leadership journey, Sal will invite participants to consider:

• What does values-led leadership look like in 2026?
• How do leaders maintain clarity about their values when external pressures challenge them?
• How do we navigate difficult situations without losing sight of who we are as leaders?

Using practical frameworks and real-world examples, this session will challenge leaders to pause, reflect and make intentional choices about the leadership they practise every day.

By reconnecting with their own True North, attendees will gain practical tools and renewed confidence to navigate ethical tensions, external pressure and complexity while staying grounded in their values.

Choose from 4 themed sessions including:

1. Workforce, Culture & Leadership
   Shakil Butt – Leading Difficult Conversations on Inclusion and Culture
   
   Shakil is a renowned HR expert, author and specialist in inclusion, culture and leadership.
   
   Managers across public sector organisations increasingly find themselves navigating complex and sensitive conversations, particularly where national or local political debates intersect with workplace dynamics.
   
   This workshop will explore how managers can strike the right balance between encouraging open and trusted dialogue while maintaining a safe, professional and inclusive workplace environment.
   
   Participants will examine how to manage changing team dynamics, address challenging perceptions and facilitate constructive discussions. The session will also provide practical tools and techniques to help leaders guide teams confidently and inclusively through the complexities of the current climate.
   
   
2. Mike Waite & Jill Rutter (Belong Network) – Managing Tensions on the Frontline
   
   Frontline professionals are increasingly required to navigate complex and emotionally charged interactions with citizens.
   
   Whether responding to frustration, managing difficult conversations or de-escalating tension in public settings, staff need practical tools and confidence to handle these moments effectively.
   
   This workshop will focus on simple, practical techniques frontline workers can use day-to-day — from the language we use to approaches that help calm situations before they escalate.
   
   Through real-life scenarios and practical advice, the session will explore how staff can maintain professionalism, protect their own wellbeing and support positive outcomes for residents.
   
   Participants will also hear about developing work in this area following the Common Ground Guidance, with the session acting as a consultation opportunity to help shape future support for frontline managers and professionals.
   
   
3. Narratives Data and Evidence 
   Dan Slee – Communications in Challenging Times
   
   Dan Slee is a leading communications expert who will explore how councils can proactively manage communications during periods of heightened community tension.
   
   The session will focus on how organisations can respond effectively to misinformation and disinformation, while maintaining trust and clarity in public messaging.
   
   Dan will share practical insight into how communications teams can work alongside statutory officers, senior leaders and elected members to navigate sensitive situations, manage risk and ensure clear, coordinated messaging across organisations.
   
   Participants will gain practical strategies to help councils communicate confidently, responsibly and effectively when issues affecting community cohesion arise.
   
   
4. Integration, Inclusion and Belonging - more information coming soon