RTS Family Conference 2026

The 2026 RTS Family Conference will be held on Saturday 6 June at the Drayton Manor Park Hotel & Conference Centre, Tamworth, Staffordshire.

Attendees will hear from expert speakers, have the opportunity to meet with specialists and be able to share and discuss some of their own experiences with other families.

Feedback following the 2024 conference has been used to create the agenda for this year’s event, regarding the format of keynote talks, more access to practical information and more opportunities to meet and socialise with other RTS families. We hope everyone who attends will find the event interesting, useful and enjoyable.

A crèche/daycare facility will be available for both RTS and non-RTS children up to the age of 16 offering fun activities. It also offers parents and carers a little ‘time off’ to fully immerse themselves in the conference. Please note that pre-booking places in the crèche is essential; walk-ins on the day will not be possible.

Parents, carers and children come together in the evening for a gala dinner where everyone can relax, socialise, have fun and enjoy some entertainment. You can read about the previous 2024 conference highlights here.

We are so delighted to have another great line-up of fantastic speakers and experts for you, read on below for an overview of the day, and information about the experts attendees will hear from and be able to meet and talk to.

Two conference packages are available, one for the daytime conference only, and the other for the conference, dinner and entertainment and overnight accommodation on Saturday night. Both packages are available at heavily subsidised rates.

Families who stay over may also wish to take advantage of a special offer available to conference attendees for Drayton Manor Theme park tickets for use on Sunday 7th June with access to the park’s many rides, attractions and zoo.

Book your places now

What can you expect at this year’s conference?

The conference agenda will include keynote presentations, interactive workshops, social networking opportunities and the opportunity to talk to experts 1:1.

Conference Sessions Include:

Education, Health and Care Plans

Laxmi Patel

Laxmi is an experienced special educational needs (SEN) solicitor. Laxmi aims to empower parents and carers by enabling them to be better informed about the law and Department for Education guidance around education, health and care plans (EHCPs), personal budgets and direct payments.

In a whole-group presentation and an interactive workshop later in the day, Laxmi will help RTS parents know what they are entitled to and what they are able to do when issues are encountered getting access to the type and amount of educational support provided. Laxmi will cover how to challenge decisions such as the school or college named on the EHCP.

A Shared Perspective on RTS: Medical and Psychological Insights

Dr. Susan Wiley and Dr. Jane Waite

Dr. Susan Wiley is a developmental pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Wiley trained under Dr. Jack Rubinstein and has provided clinical care to children, adolescents, and young adults with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome.

We are delighted that Dr. Wiley will be travelling from Cincinnati to join us at this year’s conference.


              Dr Jane Waite

Dr. Wiley will be joined by Dr. Jane Waite for a discussion on common RTS clinical topics, bringing their expert perspectives of both medical and psychological considerations.

Families will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive group sessions with Dr. Wiley and Dr. Waite and to book 1:1 appointments during the day (subject to availability).

A list of possible discussion topics is included in the booking form, and families are asked to indicate those of most interest. The summary of responses will be used to shape the content of this session and cover topics most relevant and helpful to the attendees.

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Dr. Jane Waite is a lecturer in psychology at Aston University and Honorary Research Fellow at the Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Birmingham which focuses on problems experienced by children and adults with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and other genetic syndromes.

Emotional experiences and wellbeing in RTS

Courtney Greenhill

The RTS Support Group co-funded a PhD student with Aston University to carry out research into mental health in RTS.

PhD student, Courtney Greenhill, started her PhD in Autumn 2022 focusing on emotional experiences and wellbeing in RTS. She currently works as an Assistant Psychologist in the NHS and as a Research Associate at Aston University.

Courtney will present the findings from her research, including what is unique about the mental health needs of people with RTS, the factors that influence mental health outcomes in RTS, and provide guidance for the support of people with RTS to reduce the likelihood of mental health difficulties developing in adolescence and adulthood.

Removing barriers

Jane and Jimmy James

Jane and Jimmy James will be sharing their experience of finding voluntary work for their 26-year-old daughter Imogen, pictured below who has RTS. Imogen works part time at an English Heritage property. They will talk about what helped them in Imogen’s search for work and how English Heritage have supported Imogen.

Jane and Jimmy will be joined virtually by Sue Cochrane, Imogen’s manager at English Heritage.

Finding your way through the emotional journey of raising a child with RTS

Delphine Koall, Mindset coach and mother to Amelie who has RTS.

A reflective session designed to help parents and carers pause and look back on their personal journey caring for those with RTS. Using the “House of Change” as a guiding framework, participants will explore the different emotional stages encountered when raising a child with a disability with the opportunity to share, listen, and learn from others in the RTS community and consider ways to move forward through these emotions with strength and compassion.

Family networking and socialising time with opportunities to create new connections.

RTS teenager and young adult get together

In the afternoon we will also host an RTS teenager and young adult “get together”, with a facilitated activity to get everyone mingling and getting to know each other. Please indicate when booking if you have teenagers or young adults who would like to join this session.

AGM

A brief Annual General Meeting will also be held as part of the conference.

Conference Package Details

Families are invited to arrive from 8.45am and the crèche will open at 9.15am. The conference will start at 9.30am and daytime sessions will run until 5pm.

As in 2024, two types of family packages are available:

    1. Overnight package including daytime conference, dinner and evening entertainment, overnight accommodation, breakfast and car parking
    2.  Daytime conference only (including car parking)

For families who choose to stay overnight, tickets for Drayton Manor Theme Park will be available at a special rate for entry to the park and zoo on Sunday 7th June.

The conference is heavily subsidised through the charity’s funds; however, it is necessary for us to make a charge for attendees. Details of the package costs are shown below. If the package causes a concern for you, please contact us at info@rtsuk.org.uk and we will contact you to discuss financial support on a case-by-case basis.

Due to anticipated demand, please limit your party to immediate family/caregivers of individuals with RTS. There is a maximum of five people per family booking. Note that the hotel can only accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children per room so an additional room will need to be booked for a party of five.

The full conference package includes:

  • Attendance at conference sessions and full access to workshops for a family party of up to five people
  • Refreshments and buffet lunch provided on the day of the conference
  • Professionally supervised and managed crèche and activities for children with and without RTS, up to the age of 16
  • Dinner and evening entertainment on Saturday 6th June 2026, with time to socialise and relax with other RTS families
  • Overnight accommodation on Saturday 6th June 2026, in a single/double/family room (maximum four people) you can select this when completing the booking form
  • Breakfast on Sunday 7th June 2026
  • Discounted rate for tickets to Drayton Manor Resort (including the park and zoo) on Sunday 7th June 2026 – you can select this and pay when completing the booking form
  • The cost of one room only is included in the amount you pay. Family rooms accommodate a maximum of two adults and two children and have a double bed and a sofa bed
  • Should you require an additional room for Saturday 6th June 2026, or wish to travel to Tamworth the day before the conference and book accommodation for Friday 5th June 2026, a limited number of rooms are available at a reduced room rate. Please see Notes below.

Package costs: £150 per family (maximum of 5)

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The daytime only package includes:

  • Family daytime attendance for the conference and workshops on Saturday 6th June 2026, for a maximum of five people per family party
  • Professionally supervised and managed crèche and activities for children with and without RTS up to the age of 16
  • Buffet lunch and refreshments (dinner not included)

Package cost: £60 per family (maximum five people)

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For families from outside of the UK

While we will be giving priority initially to UK-based families, we know that there are families from other countries who would like to attend and we hope to be able to accommodate this if we have the capacity. If you are from outside the UK and wish to attend, please email us at info@rtsuk.org.uk

Crèche / Day Care Facilities

Crèche/day care with an experienced team is available to all children, with or without RTS, up to and including the age of 16. We hope that this will enable parents and caregivers to get the most out of the day and take advantage of workshops and speakers. We will be using the same providers as at the 2024 conference SOS Care Services. If you have any questions about what’s on offer, members of the committee would be happy to talk to you. This facility will operate during the daytime conference sessions only.

There will be a number of zones in the room which we hope will provide appealing activities for a wide range of ages and interests:

  • TV/DVD area playing movies
  • Gaming area
  • Story area
  • Messy play and arts and crafts

The crèche will be located next door to the conference room, making it easy for parents to pop in during the day.

Important:

  1. Space in the crèche MUST be booked in advance. Spaces in the crèche WILL NOT be available to book on the day.
  2. Should your family wish to use the crèche/day care facilities, we will need your permission to forward your contact details to the crèche organiser.

All parents/carers will be contacted directly in advance of the event in order to establish your individual requirements for your child/children. This must take place ahead of the event – if you have not been contactable prior to the event the crèche organizer will not be able to look after your child/children. This will be requested by the crèche organiser – you must give consent for your details to be shared with them when you complete your booking form.

Relax, socialise and enjoy dinner and entertainment in the evening

The evening offers an opportunity to relax and socialise over dinner. Choose the overnight package when booking to include dinner and accommodation.

Book your places now

How to book

Booking is simple:

  1. Click ‘Book your places now’ and select the conference package you wish to book
  2. Complete the required information
  3. Complete the booking by making payment securely online

Payment is taken online at the time of booking, to secure your places as the conference capacity is limited.

The conference will be a part funded event, subsidised by the charity as it is a key part of the support we aim to provide to families affected by RTS.

We are very much looking forward to this event and really hope you will join us to help make it a great success!

Photography & Image Use Notice

Please be advised that photographs will be taken during this event for use on our website and newsletters. If you do not wish for your image to be used, please notify us on the day at the conference reception desk or in advance by e-mail to info@rtsuk.org.uk and we will accommodate your request.

Notes on hotel accommodation

  1. A family room at Drayton Manor Park Hotel sleeps a maximum of two adults and two children (with a double bed and a sofa bed).
  2. If you are a family party of five, you will require a second room to be booked at your own expense. This should be booked directly with Drayton Manor Park Hotel on 01827 285 551 quoting “RTS delegate rate”.
  3. If you wish to book an additional room for Saturday 6th June or accommodation for the night before the conference, Friday 5th June, we have secured a limited number of rooms including breakfast at a reduced rate of £120 per night double room for single occupancy. £140 per night double room for double occupancy. £160 per night Family room for 2 adults and 1 child. £180 per night Family room for 2 adults and 2 children.

Parking and Public Transport

Parking is available at the hotel free of charge for conference delegates. There are a limited number of disabled parking spaces available at the hotel, allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Hotel Address

The full address is: Drayton Manor Park Hotel & Conference Centre, Drayton Manor Drive, Fazeley, Mile Oak, Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3TW.

If you plan to travel by public transport, the hotel is very conveniently located – Tamworth Railway Station is a ten-minute drive.

RTS FAMILY NEWORK

We appreciate how helpful it can be to know other families who are living with RTS, so we have established the RTS Family Network in order to put regional RTS family groups in contact with each other if they wish. Please indicate if you would be interested in becoming part of a regional group and sharing your details with other families.