Between 10 and 14 November we’ll be hosting events and sharing good practice to celebrate our first ever early years and childcare learning week. This event is part of the learning week.
You can see the full programme of events here.
Have you ever gone home from work with a heavy feeling in your chest, not because of what happened, but because of what should have happened, and didn’t? Maybe you followed the rules, but it still didn’t feel right. That quiet, unsettled feeling has a name - moral injury.
In this engaging and reflective session, we’ll explore what moral injury is and why recognising it matters for everyone working in early years. Whether you’re a student preparing for your first placement, a practitioner juggling real-life challenges, or a leader responsible for team well-being, this session offers something for you.
We’ll look at how moral injury shows up in practice and why it can wear away our resilience, compassion and connection if left silent. Most importantly, we’ll share ways to notice it early, talk about it safely, and support you and others through it. We’ll also examine why embedding these practices are an important building block for strengthening well-being and resilience in our sector.
You’ll leave with greater clarity, compassion, and practical tools for yourself, your team, and the families you serve.
Speaker
Kat Applewhite, Chief Executive Officer of Here2There
With a career dedicated to developing people and supporting values-driven practice, Kat is a Level 7 Executive Coach and experienced consultant specialising in workforce development, coaching, and reflective practice. Her work in early years services in Wales has focused on empowering professionals to handle tough emotional and ethical challenges in their roles.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Here2There (H2T), she leads an organisation that designs human-centred technology and gives expert consultancy to help people and organisations connect, progress, and thrive. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to well-being, authentic connection and showing the voices of those who are often unheard.
She’s also the founder of WellNuts Parents, a community that supports families and professionals through shared understanding and resilience-building. Her approach blends insight, empathy, and innovation, making space for honest reflection about what it means to love, care, educate and stay well when supporting children with additional needs and trauma backgrounds.