Issue 13: March 2025

Issue 13 - February 2025

Welcome to this issue of the newsletter – that which follows a very successful AGM which was held at London Metropolitan University on Friday 21st March. Thank you to all of those who attended and travelled to take part in the day. It was an extremely productive day and definitely a fantastic opportunity to meet face to face. This was the first face to face AGM since before covid and we really noticed the difference that being together in a physical space made. It gave us all the opportunity to network, share ideas, challenges and successes as well as hearing two very inspirational speakers and undertake the formal processes of the AGM itself. As we have said several times recently the network is only as strong as its members and the opportunity to put the networking back into the network is something we need to do more of. The AGM is an opportunity to share what has happened over the last twelve months as well as look forward to the year ahead. Annual reports were therefore shared and are attached for your information. We also discussed our plans for the year ahead which includes, and is not limited to:

Reviewing the Graduate Practitioner Competencies to ensure then remain contemporary and fit for purpose and meet student needs
Explore the potential of internationalising the Graduate Practitioner Competencies and widening our network to encompass an international audience
Appoint a research assistant/funded PhD student and support team
Explore an alumni association to capture our graduates and promote the work that they go onto do
Set up and deliver an ECSDN Awards Event to recognise all of the amazing work that goes on with our members and the students

Newsletters will remain our main means of communication moving forward and for all of the things above working parties will be required. Please therefore do keep an eye out in the newsletters for calls to action and more information. We certainly have a busy and exciting year planned ahead of us!

Tanya and Aaron

_________________________________________________________________________

A Message from Jackie Musgrave - outgoing co-vice chair, Research and Knowledge Exchange

As I have officially stepped down from my position on the Executive of the ECSDN at the AGM on the 21st March, I thought I would send a message to share some reflections of what an amazing experience it has been to work with the ECSDN.

The decision to step down was a very difficult one to make because I have loved having the privilege of being on the Executive for such a long time and have enjoyed working with everybody very much. My decision was triggered by an eyesight problem which means I need to manage screentime very carefully. I had an operation last week, which is why I missed the AGM. (I had serious FOMO because the feedback has been so positive, well done to all involved). The operation has been successful, but there is every chance that it could recur, so I need to limit screentime to my core work.

My first attendance at an ECSDN meeting was back in 2013, and immediately, I realised that I wanted to play a key role in contributing to the aims of the ECSDN. It was clear that there was a shared vison of our commitment to working with our collective students, contributing to shaping ECS degrees and graduates for the good of babies, young children and their families and carers.

In 2014, I was really pleased to be invited by the Executive at that time to develop the ECSDN’s work in Research and Knowledge Exchange. Since then, I have worked with several wonderful colleagues who have helped to develop R and KE for the ECSDN. I am so pleased that ‘our’ students have made some fantastic contributions to the Student Publishing Opportunity which goes from strength to strength. One of my favourite responses from a student whose article was accepted for publications was: ‘I was so pleased; I did a happy dance’. The Annual ECSDN conference started in 2018, and the feedback from the attendees is always really positive, but the January 2025 feedback was especially amazing, I loved that so many attendees found the student presentations inspiring and informative. Over the last few years, the ECSDN has funded research projects from members, and this means that we are creating a solid evidence base for future work.

The strength, commitment, and talent of all the members of the ECSDN means that is much more that can be achieved, and I am aware that there are some innovative and exciting plans on the horizon. However, I am acutely aware that everybody who contributes to the ECSDN is mostly doing so in their own time as a volunteer. That said, the rewards and sense of satisfaction that come because of working in such a vibrant organisation with amazing colleagues is worth the time and commitment. So, please do attend meetings, make suggestions, and get involved, we need to nurture the next generation of incredible people to continue the ECSDN’s work. I’m delighted that Jo Josephidou has been elected to be co-vice chair alongside Eva, thank you for taking the role on Jo. And thank you Eva, it’s been great working with you over the last few years. Thank you to everybody I have worked with over the years, to all the R and KE Strategy Group members, the Executive, Jo Steele for her administrative support. In particular the colleagues who have held the role of Chair over the years I have been involved; and just to say to Tanya and Aaron that you’re doing a fantastic job in leading the ECSDN, I don’t know how you do it alongside the ‘day job’. And even though I’ve stepped down, I’m still a member of the ECSDN and here to support you.

It’s been a blast!

Very best wishes

Jackie

___________________________________________________________