Workplace Representatives Conference

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08.00	Registration Opens
	From 08:00 there will be a reception for all RCM workplace representatives and a breakfast sponsored by Thompsons.
09.00	Members Champion Award Winners

	SESSION 1
09.15	Introduction and welcome
	Professor Cathy Warwick CBE General Secretary, The Royal College of Midwives
	Jon Skewes Director of Employment Relations and Development, The Royal College of Midwives

	SESSION 2
09.30	Employment Law Seminar: Thompsons Solicitors
	Tom Jones Partner, Thompsons Solicitors
	Bernie Wentworth Solicitor, Thompsons Solicitors

10.30	Refreshments, exhibition and networking

	SESSION 3
11.00	Plenary Session and Discussion – “Trade Unions, public sector spending and the NHS” with keynote speakers
	Jon Skewes Director of Employment Relations and Development, The Royal College of Midwives
	Kevin Callinin Deputy General Secretary, Impact - Ireland
	Donna Ockenden Chief Midwife, South London NHS Trust

11.45	Supporting Maternity Support Workers The positive contribution made by maternity support workers in the maternity service is maximised where they are appropriately trained, pay banded, managed by midwives and work as an integral part of the maternity care team’ (RCM Position Statement). This session will consider how MSWs can be supported in the workplace to reach their potential and receive the recognition that the role merits.
	Denise Linay Employment Relations Advisor, The Royal College of Midwives
	Jackie Mitchell National Officer, The Royal College of Midwives
	Anita Marshall Steward, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Elaine Wilkins Maternity Support Worker, Princess Royal University Hospital

12.30	Lunch, exhibition and networking

	SESSION 4
13.30	STEPS DRAMA GROUP - Representing and Recruiting Members

14.30	Refreshments, exhibition and networking

	SESSION 5 (Workshop/Masterclasses)
14.50	Workshops / Master classes
1)	Negotiating for Learning The workshop will cover skills and tips for effective negotiating around learning, with employers, learning providers and other organisations. You’ll cover effective research and preparation, then top tips for presenting your case, mistakes to avoid, enabling you to get great results from your discussions. Peter Amphlett ULR Project Worker, Joint Chair Imogen Fleury ULR Project Worker, Joint Chair Joe Holly Union Learning Facilitator Lucy Hopley Union Learning Facilitator Dave Spooner Union Learning Facilitator
2)	Working Time and On Call Due to work pressure most midwives work many hours in excess of their contract, this is added to by being on call immediately after or before a work shift. These long hours disrupt rest time and family life and lead to tiredness and errors. This workshop will cover the basics of the Working Time Directive and how this can sit with life in a busy, understaffed labour ward or in the community, discussing good practice advice and how to minimise risk. Corina Casey-Hardman Chair – Employment Relations and Development Committee Charlie Meadows Regional Officer Rosie Nicola Consultant
3)	Defending Agenda for Change Nothing is more important than effective, visible and responsive workplace representatives. They are the backbone of the RCM; what can we do to help them and what can they do to help the RCM? This workshop will look at their importance, how they can be more effective and what level of support they need. Kath Jones Chair, Employment Relations and Development Committee George Georgiou Employment Relations Advisor Pat Gould Team Manager Veronica Morgan Steward
4)	Organising and the effective Workplace Representative Nothing is more important than effective, visible and responsive workplace representatives. They are the backbone of the RCM; what can we do to help them and what can they do to help the RCM? This workshop will look at their importance, how they can be more effective and what level of support they need. Jon Skewes Chair, Director of Employment Relations and Development Helen Rogers Board Secretary for Wales Barbara Curtis Steward
5)	Statement Writing Supporting a RCM member to write a statement is an activity that most RCM Stewards will be required to undertake in their role. How is this best done? What information should it contain? This workshop will look at how it can be best done and what they can be used for. Shirley Andrews Chair, Employment Relations and Development Committee Breedagh Hughes Board Secretary for Northern Ireland Denise Linay Employment Relations Advisor

	SESSION 6
15.55	Topic for debate This will be announced shortly before the conference
	Corina Casey-Hardman Chair, Employment Relations and Development Committee
	Kay Carberry TUC Assistant General Secretary

	SESSION 7
16.25	Conference Closing Summary
	Corina Casey-Hardman Chair, Employment Relations and Development Committee
	Jon Skewes Director of Employment Relations and Development

16.30	Conference closes

SESSION 1

SESSION 2

SESSION 3

SESSION 4

SESSION 5 (Workshop/Masterclasses)

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

Supporting a RCM member to write a statement is an activity that most RCM Stewards will be required to undertake in their role. How is this best done? What information should it contain? This workshop will look at how it can be best done and what they can be used for.

SESSION 6

SESSION 7