About this event
- Date and time Thu 5 Nov 2026 from 8:50am to 5:00pm
- Location Royal Society of Medicine
- Organised by Paediatrics and Child Health, London School of Paediatrics
Join the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) Paediatrics & Child Health Section, in collaboration with the London School of Paediatrics, for this in-person study day exploring key topics in community paediatrics. Designed primarily for paediatric resident doctors, the programme brings together community paediatricians and specialists from across child health to deliver practical teaching that supports clinical practice and career development.
Community paediatrics takes a whole-child approach to children's health, recognising the interaction between medical, developmental, social and family factors. Through expert-led presentations, delegates will explore clinical topics including child development, neurodevelopment, safeguarding and genetics, alongside lived-experience perspectives and career development. Delegates will also hear directly from a parent of a child with autism and gain insight into the Community GRID training pathway.
Why attend?
- Hear from leading community paediatricians including Dr Stacy John-Legere, Dr Claire Head, Dr Dipti Deshmukh and Dr Hannah Zhu
- Gain practical updates on current best practice in community paediatrics
- Develop confidence in assessing and managing common community paediatric presentations, including autism, sleep problems, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and other neurodevelopmental conditions
- Gain a lived-experience perspective from a parent of a child with autism, offering direct insight into the family experience of navigating community paediatric services.
- Explore the impact of health inequalities on children and families in community paediatric practice
- Learn about career opportunities in community paediatrics, including the Community GRID training pathway.
Aims of the event
- Provide a comprehensive overview of key clinical, developmental and safeguarding principles within community paediatrics
- Explore evidence-based approaches to the assessment and management of developmental, neurodevelopmental and safeguarding presentations
- Support resident doctors in delivering holistic, family-centred care and understanding career pathways in community paediatrics.
Learning outcomes
By attending this study day, participants will be able to:
- Apply current best practice to the assessment of child development and recognise common developmental and neurodevelopmental presentations
- Explain the role of genetics in child development and its relevance to paediatric assessment and management.
- Recognise safeguarding indicators and appropriate escalation pathways, including considerations for looked-after children and adoption
- Understand how health inequalities affect children and families in community paediatric practice
- Apply evidence-based approaches to supporting children with sleep, bladder and bowel, and neurodevelopmental concerns while delivering family-centred care
- Identify career development opportunities within community paediatrics, including the Community GRID training pathway.
Who should attend?
This study day is suitable for:
- Paediatric resident doctors
- Resident doctors with an interest in community paediatrics
- Doctors considering Community GRID training
- Paediatricians working in community and general paediatric services
- Allied health professionals working in community child health
RSM members enjoy free access to over 200 expert-led events each year, including CPD-accredited learning.
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Tickets
Standard pricing available until 04 November 2026.
Member
| RSM Resident Doctor |
|---|
| £0.00 |
Non - Member
| Resident Doctor | London School of Paediatrics |
|---|---|
| £55.00 | £45.00 |
Agenda
View the programme
Welcome and introduction
Chairs: Dr Blessing Ayak, Community Child Health ST5 trainee Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and Dr Harshita Jagwani, Community Child Health ST6 trainee Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Dr Lara Mitchell, ST2 Paediatrics trainee, Newham Hospital
Looked after children and adoption in community paediatrics
Dr Stacy John-Legere, Consultant Community Paediatrician and Designated Doctor for Looked after Children, Evelina London Children's Hospital
Child development and red flags
Dr Claire Head, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Comfort break
Management of sleep problems in children and young people
Dr Patrick Fernandez, Community Paediatrician, Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Safeguarding children: Recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns in children
Dr Luximi Kabilan, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Evelina London Children’s Hospital
Understanding autism: Neurodevelopment, support and family-centred care
Dr Dipti Deshmukh, Community Paediatrician, St George’s Hospital
Lunch
Parent voice of children with autism
Sonya McCann
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Dr Serena Haywood, Community Paediatrician, St George’s Hospital
Genetics in child development
Dr Eleanor Hay, Consultant Geneticist, Great Ormond Street Hospital
Comfort break
Bladder and bowel dysfunction in children: Assessment and management
Dr Cynthia Sahleen-Veasey, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Evelina London Children's Hospital
Addressing health inequalities in a community setting
Dr Hannah Zhu, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Cofounder and Director of WHAM
Application to Community GRID
Dr Claire Stewart, Community Paediatrics GRID Trainee and BACCH National Trainee Representative
Close of meeting
Dr Blessing Ayak, Community Child Health ST5 trainee Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and Dr Harshita Jagwani, Community Child Health ST6 trainee Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Dr Lara Mitchell, ST2 Paediatrics trainee, Newham Hospital
Location
Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole St, Marylebone, London, W1G 0AE, United Kingdom