A major conference dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people will return to the Riverside Centre in Newport next week.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Virtual School will host its 2026 conference, “School Belonging: The Power of Relationships,” on Monday 16 March, from 9am to 4pm.

The free event is open to education, social care and health professionals, adoptive parents, foster carers, kinship carers, and anyone interested in trauma‑informed practice.

This year’s keynote speaker is Lemn Sissay, the internationally acclaimed and BAFTA‑nominated writer who has been honoured with an MBE and OBE for services to literature.

Sissay, who spent much of his childhood in care, is known for his powerful advocacy for children who have experienced adversity and for his work highlighting the importance of belonging, identity, and human connection.

The conference will focus on how strong, nurturing relationships help children feel safe, respected, and included within their school communities.

Rosie Lister, Virtual School head, said: “When a child feels genuinely accepted, respected, included and supported within their school community, everything changes.

“Belonging strengthens emotional wellbeing, builds confidence, and helps children stay engaged in their learning. It creates the conditions in which they can take risks, form relationships and thrive academically and socially.

“For our care‑experienced children, and for any child who has faced adversity or disruption, that feeling of belonging can be transformative.

“It acts as a protective factor that boosts resilience and helps them navigate the challenges they encounter both in and out of school.

“At the Virtual School, we are committed to championing practices and environments that ensure every young person feels safe enough, and valued enough, to truly belong.”

Alongside the keynote address, the day will feature workshops aimed at providing practical strategies for supporting children who may struggle to connect or feel part of the school environment.

Places are free and can be booked via Virtual School Conference – School Belonging