The SENDcast is a weekly podcast focusing on Special Educational Needs, it is an amazing way to keep up to date with all the different areas within SEN, best practices and to improve your knowledge around SEND.
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Are you a Sensory Elephant or Mouse? with Ali Neal
jeudi 29 janvier 2026 • Durée 59:15
In our latest podcast, Ali Neal, an occupational therapist specialising in sensory processing, joins Dale to discuss the intriguing concept of sensory profiles, exploring the differences between being a "sensory elephant" and a "sensory mouse." Ali provides valuable insights into how these profiles affect children's experiences in school and everyday life.
Key topics include:
Understanding sensory needs and how they manifest in different individuals.
Practical strategies for supporting children based on their sensory profiles.
Finding a balance and understanding that needs can shift depending on the environment.
The importance of recognising and responding to sensory processing challenges in educational settings.
"You might find it the other way around as well, that if you're worn out, you get overloaded more quickly because your window of tolerance is smaller."
Ali Neal
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone involved in supporting children, especially those with sensory processing difficulties.
Ali Neal is a specialist Occupational Therapist with advanced training in sensory processing. She runs School Sensory Solutions which provides regular and cost effective training for all educators supporting SEN and neurodivergent pupils in schools via an online learning platform. Ali prides herself in finding solutions to everyday problems experienced by children and young people at school that actually work and supporting teachers to incorporate these in their already busy days.
Ali presents regularly at national level on the topic of Occupational Therapy and sensory processing for a number of organisations across the country including at both The Autism Show and The OT Show. She has written a book on Sensory Movement Breaks and has written an award winning program for developing motor skills for children with special educational needs.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
Supporting Neurodiverse Girls Through Puberty and the Transition to Secondary School with Kim McCabe
jeudi 22 janvier 2026 • Durée 01:06:24
Puberty can be a challenging time, but for neurodiverse girls, it can feel like navigating a storm without a map. As they move from the relative safety of primary school to the larger, more complex world of secondary school, they face heightened challenges - from sensory sensitivities to social pressures, including managing periods. This crucial phase often makes them vulnerable to anxiety, school refusal, and dips in self-esteem.
This week Kim McCabe, the founder of Rights for Girls CIC, joins Dale to delve into the unique challenges neurodiverse girls face during puberty and their transition to secondary school. Kim, an expert in child development and author of From Daughter to Woman, covers:
The struggles neurodiverse girls encounter during this transformative period.
The importance of proactive support to help them thrive.
Strategies for parents and educators to foster healthy conversations and promote self-acceptance.
With over 30 years of experience working with girls, Kim shares key insights on what truly makes a difference in helping them navigate this time with confidence. With the right support, it can lead to incredible growth and resilience. Open conversations about these challenges help parents and professionals understand what's happening and provide effective responses, rather than leaving girls to struggle alone.
Kim McCabe is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years. A child development expert featured on BBC and Sky News, Kim is also the founder of Rites for Girls CIC, an organisation dedicated to making growing up kinder for girls - and saner for parents. With warmth, clarity, and decades of experience, Kim helps parents rediscover their confidence and connection, knowing they hold the key to raising grounded, resilient children.
The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Breaking the Cycle: How Informed Parents Can Change the SEND System with Samantha Ryan
jeudi 13 novembre 2025 • Durée 56:32
Navigating the SEND system can be overwhelming, and many parents find themselves without essential information until it's too late. Unfortunately, there's no handbook to guide us. Often, parents only begin to understand SEN processes, the graduated approach, and even SEN law when their child is already struggling.
This week, we welcome Samantha Ryan, a neurodivergent mother, SEND advocate, and author. In this insightful episode, Samantha shares her journey as a parent navigating the complex SEND system, advocating for her autistic son who has been out of school since March 2024. With her unique perspective, she discusses the emotional challenges faced by parents and the critical importance of being informed about the SEND process.
Key highlights from their discussion:
The significance of understanding the assess, plan, do, review (APDR) cycle and how it impacts your child's educational journey.
Practical advice on how parents can work collaboratively with schools to ensure their children's needs are met.
The importance of early intervention and how informed parents can help prevent crises before they escalate.
Insight into the emotional toll of navigating the SEND system and the need for a supportive community.
Samantha's experiences and insights can empower parents and educators alike to create a more inclusive environment for all children with SEND.
I am a neurodivergent mother, informal SEND advocate, and author of SEND Help! and A Parent's Guide to SEND Life and Law (although my day job is Global Process Owner working in Finance process and systems for ITV).
My son is autistic, PDA and probable ADHD. He hit burnout at school in March 2024 and was left with trauma after being restrained during a mental health crisis. He has been out of education since that fateful day. I have been fighting for support and continue to battle through the SEND support system.
The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Zones of Regulation with Kim Griffin
jeudi 27 juin 2024 • Durée 50:54
When it comes to zones of regulation, often they're not fully understood or correctly used in schools with the assumption that they are good or bad. Kim Griffin joins Dale today to shed light on this misconception!
Green = good
Red = bad
In today's podcast 'Zones of regulation', Kim provides clarity and insights on this important topic as she:
Explains the zones and their original purpose
Summarises information from a book about the zones
Reflects on personal experiences
Considers how schools use them
Raises awareness that not all children feel emotions in the exact same way
Discusses research findings
"At the end of the day, you're trying to support self-regulation and that is trying to support levels of arousal or alertness in the body."
Kim Griffin
By understanding zones of regulation, we can better educate children on how to keep themselves safe and how to avoid triggers.
About Kim Griffin
Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.
Want to hear more from Kim? Useful Links The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
School Attendance with Suzy Rowland, Fintan O'Regan and Sarah-Jane Critchley
jeudi 20 juin 2024 • Durée 01:29:42
Today we are celebrating the release of our 200th episode of the podcast! To mark this special occasion, we have invited some of our past guests back to record an episode focused on the important topic of 'school attendance'. Suzy Rowland, Sarah-Jane Critchley and Fintan O'Regan join me, not only will you hear our familiar voices, but you'll also see us live as we have video recorded the episode for the first time!
The controversial DfE campaign "Attendance Matters" received criticism and trivialised some of the complex reasons why children may not attend school. It failed to adequately address the challenges faced by students with SEND or those with mental health issues.
Did you know that 92% of those non-attending are neurodivergent and 83.4% are autistic?
The assumption that the best place for ALL children to be is in school – but is it when their needs aren't being met?
In this episode we explore various aspects of non-attendance including; zero tolerance, bullying, systems and policies, self-determination theory and much more.
"These are really serious, complicated, complex issues that, in a way, lumping it all together as 'school non-attendance' doesn't even begin to explain some of the nuances of what's happening in individual families."
Suzy Rowland
Thank you for your continued support of the podcast! I'd be really interested in hearing what you thought of the video – so if you end up watching it please let me know what you think!
About Sarah-Jane Critchley
Sarah-Jane Critchley is passionate about helping autistic people, their families, friends and supporters live happier lives of their own choosing. She is the internationally recognised author of 'A Different Joy: The Parents' Guide to Living Better with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and More...'. and contributor to two titles on autism and girls. She wrote an 'Introduction to Autism' for AC Education to support adoptive and foster parents. She is an international keynote speaker. For over 10 years (2008-1018), Sarah-Jane managed the Autism Education Trust working to improve educational provision for young people with autism. She was instrumental in the development, monitoring and management of the award-winning training programme that reached over 207,000 education-based staff in the UK and adapting the AET's highly successful training programme to meet the local context in Italy and Greece. She worked with stakeholders to produce guidance on exam accommodations and exclusions. Sarah-Jane holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in the management of change from London's City University. She is a mother to two autistic teenagers (a late-diagnosed girl and a boy) and an autistic husband and lives with two cats.
About Suzy Rowland Contact Sarah-Jane, Fintan or Suzy Useful Links The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Person-Centred Approaches: Clarity or Confusion? with Angela Scott
jeudi 13 juin 2024 • Durée 01:12:27
The Children's Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice (2015) placed great emphasis on the use of person-centred approaches. The concept was embraced but without necessarily being fully explored and accurately interpreted. There is a level of confusion in some schools and settings about how to effectively implement person-centred practices without fully understanding the underlying principles. For SENCOs in particular, these approaches have often become overly bureaucratised.
In this week's episode, Angela Scott joins Dale to discuss 'Person-Centred Approaches: clarity or confusion?'. Angela explores person-centred approaches covering:
Concept confusion between pupil voice, pupil participation, pupil engagement and person-centred approaches. Unpicking each to ensure effective use of all.
The history and key principles of person-centred approaches.
What person-centred approaches can mean for children and young people with SEND and for their families and teachers.
Person-centred approaches and potential links to current thinking about metacognition and self-regulation
Supporting person-centred approaches through pedagogy and practical tools.
Listen to gain a stronger understanding of person-centred approaches to drive positive outcomes for pupils with SEND.
About Angela Scott
Angela Scott is the Regional Lead for SEND for the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) and is programme lead for the National Award for SEN Coordination, Advanced SENCO and SENCOs as Leaders Awards.
She is steering the development of the SLCN and SEMH level 4 qualifications and is author of the transformative audit and planning tool known as aptGO; designed to help schools work within Ofsted judgements Good and Outstanding.
She is a member of a number of national working groups for SEND and has created and delivered the professional development programme for the introduction of SENCOs into Hong Kong primary and secondary schools.
Everyone knows about phonics/phonology as it's high on the national agenda for intervention currently, but it doesn't always work. A lot of SENCOs, especially in secondary, are feeling trapped by phonics and Ofsted feeling they don't have permission to try a new approach. Teachers are also frustrated that they are just being told to do the same thing over and over.
Our new special guest, Louise Selby, joins Dale today to delve into the fascinating world of 'Morphology'. Louise explains that the English language is made up of 3 systems: phonology, morphology and etymology. Did you know that 80% of our words are made up of morphemes?
"Morphology is those prefixes, suffixes and roots. Those units of meaning in words which are such an integral part of our language."
Louise Selby, Dyslexia Specialist
Louise explains the 3 systems and breaks down word examples and highlights that phonic rules don't always help:
Shouted
Phonic = sh + ou + t + i + d
Morphological = shout + -ed
Louise highlights that research shows that a meaning-based approach with morphology can be effective in intervention and teaching literacy. Join us as we explore the significance of morphology and its potential to transform literacy learning for all children. Listening to this episode will provide valuable insights into how morphology can unlock language skills, nurturing both comprehension and confidence.
About Louise Selby
Louise worked as a specialist advisory teacher in Hertfordshire Local Authority for 11 years, where she gained extensive experience in training teaching assistants and SENCOs in meeting the needs of learners with specific learning difficulties. Before this, Louise worked as a class teacher and SENCO in the primary sector and also as a teacher of learners with English as an Additional Language. She now works freelance in advising, training and supporting schools as well as assessing for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia). Louise's interest is in enabling and equipping staff in schools at grass roots level to meet learners' needs.
Contact Louise Useful Links The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Whole Life Mental Health Meanderings with Dr Helen Ross
jeudi 30 mai 2024 • Durée 01:26:38
Dr. Helen Ross, dyslexia expert and consultant, joined Dale this week in what they had planned to be a discussion on dyslexia and mental health. However, their conversation took an unexpected turn, leading them on a meandering path through various topics and reflections on life. They therefore decided to call the episode 'Whole life mental health meanderings'.
During this lively discussion, Helen and Dale ended up reflecting on their lives which took them all over the place – from labels, Helen's projects, and parental expectations to period pains and their own life journeys. The essence of their conversation centred around the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all template for life. They dove into the concept that imperfections and failures can lead to unexpected and sometimes even more fulfilling outcomes.
Dr. Helen Ross captured our meandering journey with this analogy;
"Sometimes you forget to put the eggs in your cake, and it doesn't matter because you end up with slop, and it tastes good."
While their discussion may have deviated from the original topic of dyslexia and mental health, the insights shared in this episode are valuable and relatable. Life is a complex journey, and it's essential to find what works for us individually, even if it means veering off the expected path.
About Dr Helen Ross
Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert. Helen is a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development. Helen's research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioner in their own work, through CPD webinars and live sessions.
Contact Helen Useful Links The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Working with Parents with Lynn How
jeudi 23 mai 2024 • Durée 01:03:43
As you know, SENCOs play a crucial role in supporting students with special educational needs, and they often find themselves in the firing line when dealing with parental issues. Despite their kindness and empathy, SENCOs (and teachers in general) are not always equipped with specific training in this area, which poses a significant challenge.
To shed light on this topic, Lynn How joins Dale to share valuable insights and tips for working effectively with parents. In this episode, Lynn explores;
the reasons why this challenge is a recurring issue for SENCOs
barriers to parental engagement
parental perspectives of schools and SENCOs
reframing the notion of "hard to reach" parents
practical tips for navigating challenging conversations with parents
Listen for actionable insights to strengthen parent-school partnerships, leading to improved outcomes for students with SEND.
"Remaining positive is a massive part of the role. If I can get parents to leave the meeting at least smiling about something then that's a bonus."
Lynn How, Educational Consultant
About Lynn How
Lynn How is an educational consultant, editor of Teacher Toolkit website and blogger.
With 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com.
Lynn holds an MA in Education, is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children's mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching. Recently she has started an Educational Consultancy business for SEND (SEND support) and Teacher Wellbeing (The Wellbeing Lady). Lynn's first book, 'Starting Out As A Primary Senco', is being published by Bloomsbury in September 2024.
Contact Lynn Useful Links Want to hear more from Lynn? The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
Your Senses and Your Mental Health with Joanna Grace
jeudi 16 mai 2024 • Durée 01:01:33
Did you know that there is a profound connection between our senses and mental health?
Our senses can heighten the more stress we're under, but they can also shut down as well. Smell alone can bring up strong feelings and emotions, for example, no one likes the smell of hospitals, but they love the smell of fresh bread.
To explore this connection further, Dale invited Joanna Grace, Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, to join him to discuss 'Your senses and your mental health'.
Joanna highlights that when in a depressive mindset, you can withdraw from the world and restrict your access to sensation. As a result, our senses can become dulled, affecting our ability to fully enjoy activities like eating.
She also emphasises the importance of our interoceptive sense, which allows us to sense our internal world, such as hunger and thirst, and how this differs for neurodivergent people which can in turn impact their wellbeing.
Each individual's environment plays a significant role in shaping their sensory capacity, which in turn affects their ability to perceive and process emotions effectively. Listen to this thought-provoking perspective on the importance of curating environments that promote good mental health at a sensory level.
About Joanna Grace
Joanna Grace is a sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, doctoral researcher, author, trainer, TEDx speaker and Founder of The Sensory Projects. Joanna has worked with people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions aged from 0-100 (well 1 day old – 87 years old to be precise) in a range of settings and context. Through all she does Joanna is seeking to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
I spent a year as co-admin helping to grow the Facebook group SEN Parent Support Group which was setup by Andrea Dixon-Boldy in February 2024 and was at 19,000 members by the time I left the group in May this year. Over that time, I did my IPSEA SEN law training for parents, created hundreds of resources breaking down SEN processes, designed and delivered training to hundreds of parents and offered parent-to-parent support alongside our amazing team of volunteers.
I am passionate about empowering families with the knowledge they deserve before they reach crisis point.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
A few weeks ago, Kim joined Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
About Fintan O'Regan MA, PGCE BSc
He was the Headteacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising in issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD. He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance. Fintan now works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers with regards to providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues.
Suzy Rowland is the author of S.E.N.D. in the Clowns, a poetry collection and "I can't go to school!" – a children's workbook for school non-attenders, an ADHD & Autism Spectrum Condition Specialist, Mindful Cognitive Behaviour Therapist & Speaker. She founded the #happyinschool project to provide interactive, bespoke training and consultancy, rooted in lived experience. In this capacity, she works as an agent of change with families and young people, mental health professionals, educators, local authorities, charitable and corporate organisations, to build knowledge, connections and positive narratives about educating and employing neurodivergent thinkers. Suzy is also a presenter for Women's LIK UltravisionTV.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
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