This page has been created as a central hub for everything shared at the Wider Lancashire Inclusion Conference which took place on Wednesday 29th April 2026.
About the Day
The conference focused on inclusive employment, employer engagement, accessible work experience, and the national picture, with practical examples and collaborative discussion throughout.
Participants joined us for keynote presentations, interactive workshops and networking opportunities, all aimed at strengthening inclusive pathways into education, training and employment across the county.
Welcome
Dr Michele Lawty‑Jones – Director, Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub
Setting the scene for the day and outlining Lancashire’s shared commitment to inclusive, person‑centred futures.
Employer Engagement
Vicky O’Connor – IncludED
A session exploring how employers can be meaningfully engaged to support inclusive recruitment, retention and progression, with examples of best practice and collaboration.
5 W’s of a Employer Engagement
IncludED Employer Adaption Guide
Workshops
Participants had the chance to attend three out of six interactive workshops, all of which are listed below.
Youth Futures (Transitions) – Stephanie Kenyon
Youth Futures – Inclusion Conference 2026 – Transitions Workshop
Connect to Work – Lydia Ferguson & Anna Holgrove-Smith
Lancashire Connect to Work Presentation 29.4.26
Future Skills Questionnaire for SEND – Peter Kinney
Future Skills Questionnaire for learners with SEND – The Careers & Enterprise Company
Webinar : The Future Skills Questionnaire – 5 steps to success
OnTrack+ – Peter Kinney
OnTrack+ Practice Guide | CEC Resource Directory
Webinar : OnTrack+ in Compass+
Learning Outcomes – John Hooper & Michelle Billington
Learning Outcomes Workshop Inclusion Summit 26
Careers Impact System (CIS) – Tina Milner
Careers Impact Education Slide Deck
Webinar : Using Compass+ effectively to support Careers Impact Internal Leadership Reviews
Kings Trust – Aaron Wilkinson
LGBTQIA+ Support – Inclusion Lead– Sarah Crewe and SEND LEAD Muaaz Nadat
Compass Plus Activity Recording – Aaron Hay
Groups & Activities Workshops for Inclusion
Webinar : Compass+ data and reporting – YouTube (Skip to 14 mins)
Learner lists and individual learner profiles
Meaningful Encounters for Employers – Lisa Struthers and Bradley Whitfield
Modern Work Experience for SEND Inclusion Conderence 29.04.26
Equalex: Modern Work Experience
Vicky O’Connor – IncludED
An afternoon deep‑dive into modern, inclusive work experience models, including how Equalex supports young people and employers to break down barriers and widen opportunity.
Designing Meaningful & Inclusive Work Experience
Inclusive Work Experience Toolkit for SEND Learners
Equalex SEND Career Leader Audit
The National Picture
Kelly Dillon – The Careers & Enterprise Company
Insight into the national policy and practice landscape, highlighting opportunities for alignment, funding, and future collaboration.
LINK TO SLIDES COMING SOON
Feedback
Your feedback is extremely important to us. It helps shape future events and ensures they continue to be relevant, inclusive and impactful. So if you attended, and are yet to complete the feedback form, please do so vis the link below.
👉 Inclusion Conference Evaluation Form – Fill in form
Get in Touch
If you would like to follow up on anything discussed, connect with speakers, or explore future collaboration opportunities, please contact your most relevant member of Lancashire Careers Hub – Our Team – Lancashire Careers Hub
Looking Ahead
Thank you once again for being part of the Wider Lancashire Inclusion Summit. We hope you took valuable learning, inspiration and connections from the day, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year.