Parent Insights Live 2026

The opening keynote will be delivered by newly elected Bearwood councillors, helping set the scene for the day by exploring the challenges facing young people and families across Sandwell. Parents will hear insights into issues such as mental health, social media, youth support, and community wellbeing, alongside information about the services and opportunities available through Sandwell Council that many families may not be aware of. This is also a valuable opportunity to meet your local elected representatives and better understand the work taking place across the borough to support families.

Dr Sam Ibbs is a consultant paediatrician at Birmingham Children’s Hospital with a special interest in dermatology and a strong passion for improving children’s health and wellbeing. Increasingly concerned by the impact of screen time, smartphones, gaming, and social media on young people’s mental health and development, she is committed to helping families thrive in the digital age. In this interactive and non-judgemental talk, Dr Ibbs will explore the link between excessive screen use and emotional wellbeing, while sharing practical strategies parents can use to create healthier relationships with technology at home. Topics will include delaying smartphone use, encouraging balance with screens, and supporting children’s mental health in an increasingly digital world. There will also be opportunities for questions and discussion.

In her talk, “Breaking Cycles: Identity, Culture and Parenting,” Maryam Javaid, founder of Black and Brown Parenting, explores how culture, identity, generational trauma, and lived experiences shape the way we parent and communicate with our children. Drawing on her background in African and South Asian colonial history, conscious parenting, and her own lived experience within a multicultural Muslim household, Maryam will challenge parents to reflect on the patterns, beliefs, and survival behaviours often passed down through generations. This thought-provoking session will explore how parents can move from fear, guilt, and obedience-based parenting towards stronger emotional connection, healthier communication, and more emotionally resilient families. Maryam’s work has been featured on the BBC, ITV, and the Daily Mirror, and she is widely recognised for creating honest conversations many families feel are often left unspoken.

Many parents of neurodivergent children feel they're getting parenting "wrong" when, in reality, traditional parenting advice often isn't designed for families like theirs.

Drawing on her lived experience as a neurodivergent mother and her work as an ADHD coach, Sarah explores why parenting can feel so different for neurodivergent families. She examines how neurodivergence shapes both children and parents, why conventional approaches don't always work, and how unrealistic comparisons can leave families carrying unnecessary guilt and self-doubt.

This compassionate and practical session offers a fresh, neurodiversity-affirming perspective, helping parents better understand their child's needs and their own, while providing realistic strategies to build a calmer, more confident family life.

In her talk, “Maintaining Strong, Healthy Relationships During the Teenage Years,” life coach and founder of Empower Kidz and Teenz Academy, Oluwapelumi Boluwaji, will explore the importance of intentionally developing the life skills, character, and communication skills young people need to build healthy relationships and thrive in adulthood. Drawing on her work mentoring teenagers through her organisation and local church, Pelumi will share a Christian perspective on parenting, identity, emotional development, and relationships during adolescence. She will discuss why we cannot assume young people naturally develop essential life skills on their own, and why parents, mentors, schools, and communities must be intentional if we want teenagers to grow in confidence, emotional intelligence, responsibility, leadership, and healthy communication.

In “Inside the Classroom: A Teacher’s Perspective on Helping Your Teen Succeed,” experienced secondary school teacher and Director of Learn Science Together, Kiran Sethi, will give parents an honest insight into the realities of modern education and what is really happening inside schools today. Drawing on over a decade of classroom experience, Kiran will discuss the challenges facing public sector education, including pressures on schools, teacher workload, behaviour, staff retention, and how these realities can impact the education children receive. She is passionate about opening up conversations teachers often do not have the opportunity to fully discuss with parents. This session will also provide practical strategies parents can use at home to better support their teenagers, highlighting the importance of developing attitudes, routines, resilience, communication skills, and habits that fundamentally shape a young person’s experience and success in school.

The event will conclude with an interactive panel discussion and audience Q&A, giving parents the opportunity to ask questions directly to our main speakers: Dr Sam Ibbs, Maryam Javaid, and Kiran Sethi. Covering themes such as mental health, social media, parenting, resilience, education, and teenage wellbeing, this session will allow parents to explore the topics most relevant to their own families and experiences. The discussion will be facilitated by Kiran Sethi, who will also take part as a panel member, helping guide open, honest, and practical conversations between the speakers and audience. This is a valuable opportunity for parents to hear different professional and lived perspectives in one place, while leaving with practical insights, reassurance, and a stronger sense of community support.

The event will close with final reflections and key takeaways from the day, bringing together the important themes discussed throughout Parent Insights Live. Parents will hear about upcoming workshops, talks, and community events that will grow out of the Parent Insights Live initiative, with the aim of continuing to support families across Sandwell throughout the year. The closing remarks will also include the announcement of competition winners, acknowledgements to speakers and partners, and an opportunity for parents to hear about the future vision for the event. As part of the finale, we will officially introduce Parent Insights Live 2027, sharing our hopes of building this into an ongoing annual event that continues to strengthen, connect, and empower parents within the local community.

At the end of the day, parents are warmly encouraged to stay, relax, and continue conversations in a more informal setting. Parent Insights Live is not just about listening to speakers, but also about building connections between families, professionals, and the wider community. There will be opportunities to network with other parents, speak further with speakers and exhibitors, and reflect on the day’s discussions in a relaxed environment. Attendees are welcome to make use of the venue’s bar facilities, meaning there is no need to rush away immediately at 5pm. We hope this time will help create meaningful conversations, new connections, and a stronger sense of community among parents across Sandwell.