The annual NCERCC conference is the pivotal event of the year for the residential child care sector. Speakers will offer a significant contribution to the development of residential child care relevant for practitioners, policy makers, regulators and commissioners.

Positive outcomes for young people in residential child care placements take place through daily living, as part of relationships, in the routines. Young people tell us that it is these outcomes that frequently make the biggest and longest lasting differences.

Often because they seem so ordinary, the value of things that happen every day, their effect and effectiveness, has not been sufficiently regarded. This extraordinary and complex work has been under-appreciated.

What could be looked for? What should be seen? How do the smallest aspects of care, such as eating, playing and reading together, provide not only effective interventions but also the foundations for other strategies like school and therapies? How can they be assessed so that quality and quantity are measured equally?