Next week will see 'Working together', the national leaving care conference, take place at Southampton University.

The conference, organised jointly by leading fostering charity the Fostering Network and the University of Southampton, takes place on September 5 and 6, and explores all aspects of leaving care within the UK.

In particular it will focus on the impact that the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 has had in England since its introduction last October.

Fostering Network's media and communications manager, Jackie Sanders said: "The conference is aimed at anyone working in the area of helping young people to leave care, as well as the young people themselves.

"Key speakers at the event include Bob Broad, DeMontfort University, John Pinkerton, Queen's University Belfast, Maxine Wrigley, A National Voice, James Cathcart of the Prince's Trust and Jane Sufian from First Key.

"And young people involved in leaving care will also make presentations throughout the event."

Workshops on the second day will look at a wide range of issues including accommodation for care leavers, education and employment, raising self-esteem and sexual health.

The event will be chaired by Jackie Powell of Southampton University, together with Marc Burgess, a care leaver.

A new book, Companion to Leaving Care, edited by Ann Wheal, will also be launched at the conference.

The book, with a foreword by the Fostering Network's president Lord Laming, is a collaborative work by experts within the field, and is expected to become the definitive guide to leaving care issues.

Working together takes place from 10am to 4pm both days, with the book launch at 4.30pm on September 5.