Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The SENDcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ensuring behaviour policy closes the gap with Adam Hayes | 08 oct. 2026 | 01:10:31 | |
Behaviour policies were never designed to be a log of misery. But for too many children, that's exactly what they've become. In this episode, Dale is joined by Adam Hayes, Managing Director of Therapeutic Thinking, to discuss behaviour policies - and what it would actually take to make them work for every child. Adam brings extensive experience across social care and education, and a refreshingly honest perspective on why so many schools are still punishing children for having an unmet need rather than helping them address it. Together, they explore: - Why behaviour policies too often focus entirely on deficit - what children aren't doing - rather than building a shared understanding of what we value and why. - What a behaviour curriculum actually is, and why it's the missing piece that turns a policy from a document on a shelf into something that's lived and breathed across a school. - Why children should be taught why a rule exists, not just expected to follow it. - Why every interaction is an intervention, and why children need to feel liked, loved, respected, or safe before behaviour change can happen. - The problem with rewarding 100% attendance. - Why we need bold children who ask why — and what we lose when we train that instinct out of them. "Experiences lead to feelings, and feelings create behaviours. If my intervention wouldn't work in the staff room, why do I think it will work in the classroom?" Adam Hayes A candid, thought-provoking, and at times genuinely funny conversation that will make you look at behaviour very differently. About Adam HayesAdam has extensive experience in both Social Care and Education, both mainstream and SEND, having worked across the full range of ages and stages of education. He joined Therapeutic Thinking Ltd. from his role with Hertfordshire County Council. During his time with Hertfordshire Adam held a range of roles including Area Manager for Integrated Services for Learning, County Inclusion Lead, and Behaviour Advisor and Hertfordshire Therapeutic Thinking County Lead. Adam has a solution-focused approach which ensures that young people are at the centre of all that he does. This child centred work has been positively recognised by the stakeholders he works with. Adam has become the managing director of Therapeutic Thinking and as such is taking this positive, well considered approach forward and sharing it more widely with Local Authorities, Trusts and standalone schools.
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! Find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school. | |||
| From communication to burnout: Creating an inclusive environment for autistic learners with Joe Fautley | 01 oct. 2026 | 00:55:16 | |
Burnout isn't one big thing. It's lots of smaller things, building and building - until even the smallest demand tips you over the edge. Joe Fautley, project coordinator at the Council for Disabled Children and neurodiversity advocate, returns to the podcast to discuss burnout, communication, and what it takes to build inclusive environments for autistic learners. Joe speaks from lived experience. Non-verbal for much of his childhood, he lost hard-won communication skills when he moved to an unsupportive mainstream school, and spent years managing severe anxiety and extended absences. His story is also one of remarkable growth: from a child who couldn't speak verbally, to someone who now delivers public talks and co-facilitates training for education professionals. Together, Dale and Joe explore the direct relationship between belonging and burnout, why communication and mental health are inseparable, and why the single most important thing a school can do is ask the young person what they need - and actually listen to the answer. About Joe FautleyJoe Fautley is an Autistic and neurodivergent advocate with over 10 years of experience in a variety of personal lived experience advocacy and professional training work for Autism, neurodiversity and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Joe is a relentless and determined advocate for positive change and engages regularly with professional networks across the SEND community with over 6,000 connections and followers on LinkedIn. Joe has delivered many presentations to various audiences. Outside of his full time day job at the National Children's Bureau (NCB), Joe regularly contributes to various media, providing practical advice for professionals who support Autistic children and young people and adults using insights from his own personal lived experience. Joe is the co-chair (a voluntary role) of the Staff Disability and Neurodiversity Network, launched in January 2023, for colleagues at NCB, ensuring they are supported and their feedback can influence positive changes in the workplace. In 2025, Joe was a guest on an episode of the podcast "SEND in the Experts", hosted by Georgina Durrant from Twinkl Educational Publishing, in which he provided advice and strategies to help support teachers and educators. Joe featured on an episode of the SENDcast in 2024, the #1 podcast for SEND hosted by Dale Pickles, in which he talks openly about his personal experiences of Autism and provides advice for professionals supporting Autistic children and young people in education. Joe has written articles in several publications in the SEND and children's sector including Teach Secondary, NASEN Connect, SEN Magazine, Autism Eye, SecEd, Headteacher Update and Children and Young People Now Magazine, and featured in a blog for SENsational Tutors. Joe was invited by NASEN to be a speaker at their conference in Birmingham in July 2025. At this conference, Joe delivered a seminar titled "A Lived Experience: Practical Advice for Educators Supporting Autistic Children and Young People". Joe also joined a panel discussion at this conference with other inspiring advocates who all shared openly their personal lived experiences.
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! Find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school. | |||
| Late Diagnosis, Loud Music and Parenting Neurodivergent Kids with Terry Bolton | 24 sept. 2026 | 01:02:14 | |
Today, Dale is joined by Terry Bolton - known as Telboy - a UK-based music producer, independent hip-hop artist, and parent of neurodivergent children, diagnosed with Tourette's and ADHD in his mid-30s to discuss Late Diagnosis, Loud Music and Parenting Neurodivergent Kids. Terry brings an honest, funny, and at times deeply personal perspective to a conversation that covers late diagnosis, sensory overload, resilience, and what it really means to define success on your own terms. They explore why Tourette's without coprolalia leaves so many people undiagnosed for decades and how Terry spent years masking his tics on stage without realising it. They also have a fascinating conversation about sensory overload - how context, certainty, and the people around you can completely change a sensory experience, and why the answer is rarely as simple as avoiding the thing that feels overwhelming. And they talk about parenting: modelling resilience without pretending life is perfect, being honest with your kids about the days you're struggling and running your own race rather than constantly measuring success against everyone else. About Terry BoltonTerry Bolton (Telboy) is a UK-based music producer and independent hip-hop artist. As an adult diagnosed with Tourette's and ADHD, and a parent within a neurodivergent household, Terry delivers fast, introspective, and socially aware bars that tackle emotional conflict, stigma, and raw identity. His work focuses on lived consequences, accountability, and authentic representation for the neurodivergent community.
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. | |||
| SEND Reforms - what does it mean for trusts with Simon Tanner & Helen Bray | 17 sept. 2026 | 01:18:47 | |
The SEND reforms have generated a lot of conversation - but one perspective has been missing from the debate. What does it mean for trusts? In this episode, Dale is joined by Helen Bray, Director of Inclusion at St Francis CMAT, and Simon Tanner, Director of School Improvement for SEND at Authentic Education, for a wide-ranging and at times refreshingly candid conversation about what the proposed reforms mean at trust level. Together, they explore: - Why accountability and capacity must move together - and why simply shifting responsibility away from local authorities without the right funding and workforce risks relocating the pressure rather than solving the problem. - What the standardisation of EHCPs and ISPs could mean in practice, and why trusts working across multiple local authorities stand to benefit most. - How the Mainstream Inclusion Fund will work differently across schools of different sizes - and why trusts can't simply pool the money. - Why Helen's trust has moved away from a standalone SEND register and replaced it with a vulnerability dashboard - and why that distinction matters for the children who fall through the gaps. - Whether the 'Experts at Hand' proposal can actually deliver in practice, given the existing shortage of educational psychologists and speech and language therapists. - Why executive function training is urgently needed - not just for TAs, but for every teacher in every secondary school. "If we're going to formally shift greater responsibility away from the local authority model, we have to ask whether schools actually have the expertise, the funding, and the infrastructure to deliver on it — otherwise we're not solving a problem, we're just relocating where the pressure sits." Helen Bray An essential listen for trust leaders, MAT leads, and anyone navigating the SEND reform landscape.
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. | |||
| Hyperfocus: From Survival to Superpower with Emma Muir | 10 sept. 2026 | 01:11:16 | |
In this episode, Dale is joined by Emma Muir, social media marketer, author, and education communication strategist, to discuss late diagnosis and whether being neurodivergent is a superpower. Emma received her ADHD diagnosis at 45, on a day when she was also told she had severely fractured her back and her mother was being rushed to hospital. Dale and Emma explore what it really means to receive a late diagnosis and why so many neurodivergent adults spend decades being offered depression medication or HRT before anyone suggests ADHD. They also have a fascinating conversation about whether ADHD is actually a superpower - and why the answer, as Dale argues, depends almost entirely on context. About Emma MuirEmma Muir is a social media marketer, author and Education and Communication Strategist at Clearcut Consultants. She was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45, on the same day she received a diagnosis for a severely fractured sacrum and learned her mother had been rushed to hospital. Her mother passed away on Mother's Day weeks later. Emma spent thirteen years as a childminder, during which time she also founded Nurture Socials, a marketing consultancy supporting businesses whose customers are parents. She is the author of Stop Being the Best Kept Secret, the first practical marketing guide written specifically for childminders. Since her ADHD diagnosis Emma has come to understand and embrace her neurodiversity as a professional superpower. She reads rooms, spots what others miss, hyperfocuses with extraordinary intensity and brings the unfiltered perspective of a parent into every school and business she works with. She believes her ADHD explains every area of her career where she has been most successful. Emma is passionate about late diagnosis, about the power of understanding your own brain and about what becomes possible when you finally stop apologising for being different.
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. | |||
| Beyond the Classroom: Sensory Support at Home with Natasha Grays | 03 sept. 2026 | 01:10:55 | |
Schools have sensory rooms, sensory audits, and sensory-informed environments – but what about home? For many neurodivergent children, the place they're supposed to feel safest is quietly making things worse. Today, Dale is joined by Natasha Grays, founder of The Sensory Haven, to discuss sensory support at home and how it supports regulation, learning, and sleep. Natasha explains why so many families are unknowingly living in homes that are working against their child's nervous system – through lighting, noise, materials, and clutter – and why the good news is that the most impactful changes are often the simplest and cheapest to make. Dale and Natasha explore: – Why swapping a harsh overhead light for a soft lamp can shift a child's entire nervous system. – How background noises that adults barely notice can feel genuinely painful to a sensory-sensitive child. – Why the hard floors and minimal soft furnishings that look so good on Pinterest can turn a home into an echo chamber of stress. "It's about making small, easy, practical changes to lower the sensory overload in the home." — Natasha Grays An episode full of ideas you can act on today – without spending a fortune. About Natasha Grays Natasha Grays is the founder of The Sensory Haven; a sensory design consultant, speaker, and CPD-certified Sensory Integration Facilitator helping families create calmer, more supportive home environments for neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive children. With over 20 years of international interior design experience, alongside lived experience and extensive self-education around sensory processing, emotional regulation, nervous system wellbeing, sleep, and neuroinclusive environments, Natasha helps families better understand how lighting, noise levels, visual clutter, layout flow, and sensory stress can impact behaviour, anxiety, sleep, focus, and overall family wellbeing. Natasha is also the creator of the S.E.N.S.O.R.E.E. Wellbeing Solution, a framework which underpins her approach to sensory wellbeing and sensory-friendly home design. Through sensory home audits, consultations, educational talks, and practical online content, she supports families in creating homes that feel calmer, safer, and more regulating for everyday life. Her work has been featured in The Parent Teacher magazine, and through her YouTube channel, The Sensory Haven, she shares relatable skits, sensory design advice, and realistic wellbeing strategies to help reduce overwhelm and support emotional regulation, without the need for expensive renovations or perfectly curated homes.
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. | |||
| Rethinking Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Children in School with Charlotte MacDougall | 27 août 2026 | 01:11:46 | |
Coping is not the same as wellbeing – and for too many neurodivergent children in our schools, the two are being confused. Charlotte MacDougall, a neurodivergent specialist, joins Dale to discuss how we need to rethink wellbeing for neurodivergent children in school. Charlotte argues that much of what schools offer as wellbeing support amounts to sticking plasters – well-meaning interventions that treat the symptom without addressing the cause. The cause, she suggests, is an education system that demands an enormous and largely invisible amount of energy from neurodivergent children, simply to get through the day. A child who attends school and a child who is truly well are not always the same thing. Dale and Charlotte explore the difference between a child who attends school and a child who is truly well, why the end-of-term explosion so many families recognise is a sign of a battery running on empty rather than a failure to cope with change, and why asking neurodivergent children to show more grit misses the point entirely – because many of them are already using every bit of it just to be in the room. About Charlotte MacDougallCharlotte MacDougall is a neurodivergence specialist, education consultant, former school leader and founder of Nurture & Thrive. Combining professional expertise with lived experience as a neurodivergent parent, she works with parents and schools to better understand and support neurodivergent children. Charlotte is the author of Reclaiming the Narrative and Thriving with SEND: Rethinking Success for Young Neurodivergent Minds, now in its second edition, and has written for the TES. She recently spoke at the East Sussex Wellbeing Show on neurodivergent wellbeing and the impact of chronic stress and misunderstanding on children and families, and continues to provide training and consultancy for schools alongside parent programmes through Nurture & Thrive. Free guide: building confidence in neurodivergent children Reclaiming the Narrative and Thriving with SEND (book)
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. | |||
| The Power of Play Schemas with Ange Anderson | 20 août 2026 | 00:57:44 | |
Play is often the first thing to disappear as children move through school – but for many neurodivergent children, it may be the most powerful learning tool we have. Ange Anderson, Therapeutic SEND Advisor, joins Dale to discuss how play schemas can help adults better understand behaviour, communication, and wellbeing. Together, Dale and Ange explore: – Why play-based learning is so often misunderstood or abandoned too early. – What schemas are, and how recognising them can completely reframe what looks like challenging behaviour. – Why following a child's lead – rather than directing them – can unlock engagement that more traditional approaches simply can't reach. "Play isn't just what children do – it's how they tell us who they are." — Ange Anderson About Ange AndersonAnge Anderson is a former specialist school head, SEND advisor and author specialising in therapeutic, sensory and play-based approaches for neurodivergent children and young people. Her work focuses on helping professionals and families better understand behaviour, communication, wellbeing and learning through practical, relationship-based approaches. Ange is particularly passionate about purposeful play, sensory profiling, schemas, therapeutic interventions and the rights of children with complex needs and PMLD to lifelong learning. She is known for translating theory into realistic, meaningful strategies that busy staff teams and families can use in everyday practice. Alongside her writing – books, articles and research papers – and training, Ange delivers school training days, conference talks and online resources across the UK. Her work combines professional expertise with warmth, creativity and a strong belief that children learn best when they feel safe, understood and engaged. Ange Anderson Amazon Author Page
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 Million Families Waiting: Can AI Help? with Ben Cosh | 13 août 2026 | 01:21:39 | |
AI is everywhere right now - but how useful is it really for families navigating the SEND system, and how do you know when to trust it? In this episode, Dale is joined by Ben Cosh, founder and CEO of Silva, to discuss AI in SEND: what it can do, what it can't, and why families shouldn't have to wait years for help. Ben built Silva after living through the reality of year-long NHS waiting lists, overwhelmed teachers, and private assessments that cost a fortune but came with no support afterwards. His own experience - three years to identify his daughter's unmet needs, and another three to get everything stable - is the reason Silva exists. Together, Dale and Ben explore: - Why AI should never be thought of as a single thing - there are now 628 different AIs, and they are not all equal. - Why none of them are doctors, and why their confidence can be deeply misleading. - How to find the right AI for the right job - and why where it gets its information from matters enormously. - Why behaviour is always communication, and how understanding that changes everything about how you respond to a struggling child. - What Silva is doing differently - and why families shouldn't have to wait years to get the right support. "Each AI is different - and what none of them are is a doctor that can diagnose." Ben Cosh About Ben Cosh Ben Cosh is the founder and CEO of Sylva. He built Sylva after experiencing first-hand how broken the system is: years-long NHS waiting lists, overwhelmed teachers, and private assessments costing a fortune, with no support afterwards. Before founding Spicy Minds, Ben built a renewable energy company that developed over £300m of wind and solar farms, became the fastest-growing in the South West and appeared in the Sunday Times Fast Track. He earlier worked in Downing Street (2001–2003) and is a former management consultant (PA Consulting), engineer (QinetiQ), and active angel investor in digital health and edtech.
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. | |||
| Behind the Mask: Autistic Burnout and Eva's Story with Sarah Griffiths | 06 août 2026 | 01:16:20 | |
Autistic burnout is talked about on social media, but how many of us truly understand what it looks like - and what it takes to recover from it? Sarah Griffiths, children's author, meditation teacher, and parent advocate, joins Dale to discuss autistic burnout and the story of her daughter Eva. Sarah shares, with honesty and warmth, how Eva - autistic and ADHD, and a skilled masker for years - collapsed into severe burnout at the start of Year 6. Her executive functioning all but disappeared. She couldn't leave the sofa. The family slept downstairs for three months. And at every turn, the systems that should have helped them either didn't respond, didn't understand, or made things worse. Dale and Sarah also explore what autistic burnout actually is - a nervous system shutdown, not a behaviour or a mental health condition - why removing demands is so much harder than it sounds, and why a diagnosis alone means very little without the understanding to go with it. This is also a story of hope. Nine months on, Eva is making positive steps forward in her recovery - and beginning to imagine a future on her own terms. About Sarah Griffiths Sarah Griffiths is a children's author, meditation teacher, parent advocate and former primary teacher, raising awareness of autistic burnout and the growing crisis facing neurodivergent children and families. After supporting her own daughter through severe burnout and school trauma, she began sharing their journey publicly – leading to hundreds of parents connecting with similar experiences. Through her books, including Eva's Voice and Finding Stones for Grandma, Sarah uses storytelling, mindfulness and lived experience to help children and families feel seen, supported and understood. Her work focuses on emotional wellbeing, sensory overwhelm, recovery, and creating more compassionate conversations between families, schools and professionals. Her book Eva's Voice launched on 16 February 2026 and is available on Amazon. Sarah Griffiths Amazon Author Page
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. | |||
| What do we mean by trauma informed practice? with Dr Asha Patel | 30 juil. 2026 | 00:59:34 | |
Trauma-informed practice is one of those phrases everyone nods along to – but how many of us truly understand what it means, or what it actually looks like in practice? Dr. Asha Patel, founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, joins Dale to discuss what we really mean by trauma-informed practice. "Trauma-informed practice is a way of being. It's not a switch that you can switch on and off." — Dr. Asha Patel It starts with the adult being regulated, aware of how they are feeling, and able to offer that calmness to the young person in front of them. You cannot support a dysregulated child if you are dysregulated yourself. Dale and Asha also explore why the word 'trauma' puts so many people off – and why it shouldn't. Trauma doesn't just mean the most extreme experiences. It is a normal human response to overwhelming situations, and it shows up everywhere, every day. Understanding that changes everything about how you respond to behaviour – because behaviour is always communication, and asking why someone is struggling will always lead somewhere more useful than asking what they have done wrong. They also discuss why giving someone your undivided attention is one of the most powerful things you can offer, why trauma-informed practice is not about lowering expectations or excusing behaviour, and why the biggest barrier to getting this right is often simply not knowing where to start. About Dr Asha PatelDr Asha Patel is a qualified Clinical Psychologist and the founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, a multi-award-winning social enterprise dedicated to early intervention in mental health. Drawing on her expertise in forensic mental health, Dr Patel launched Innovating Minds in 2016 to bridge the gap between access to clinical expertise within education, health and social care. A passionate advocate for mental health equity, Dr Patel empowers frontline professionals to deliver trauma-informed psychological services to enable young people to access education, training and employment opportunities.
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. | |||
| Where are specific learning difficulties in the SEND reforms? with Louise Selby and Janet Goring | 23 juil. 2026 | 01:13:20 | |
The SEND reforms have generated a lot of discussion – but one significant gap has gone largely unnoticed. Where do specific learning difficulties fit in? Dale is joined by Louise Selby, a dyslexia specialist, and Janet Goring, an SpLD specialist, for a lively and at times eye-opening conversation about what the shift from four broad areas of need to five areas of development could mean for children with SpLD. Together, they explore:
Louise has worked in a number of SEND settings, more recently for 11 years in the advisory service for Specific Learning Difficulties at Hertfordshire Local Authority, before becoming freelance. Louise's first book, Morph Mastery, a Morphological Intervention for Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary, was published in 2021 by Speechmark (Routledge) in 2021. Her recent two books, "All About Dyslexia, a practical guide for primary/secondary teachers" were published in December 2024 with the same publisher, and her 4th book, Morph Mastery for Small Groups, is in the pipeline. Louise's passion is in enabling, equipping and empowering staff in schools at grass roots level to meet learners' needs. About Janet GoringJanet Goring worked as a teacher for 25 years, firstly as a primary classroom teacher and Advanced skills teacher for Maths and assessment, before training as a specialist SpLD teacher/assessor and completing a Masters with a focus on supporting number sense through games. She chaired the SASC (SpLD Assessment Committee) Working Group on Dyscalculia and Maths Difficulties which produced the 2025 guidance on the assessment of Maths Difficulties and Dyscalculia. Having retired as Manager of a local authority team of specialist Literacy and Numeracy teachers in 2023, she now focuses on training in maths difficulties for mainstream and specialist teachers. Where are dyslexia and dyscalculia in the 2026 SEND Reforms?
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. | |||
| DLD and SEND Reforms: No Child Left Behind with Jane Harris | 16 juil. 2026 | 00:56:59 | |
There are 1.3 million children in this country with developmental language disorder. Most of them are sitting quietly in classrooms going unnoticed. Today, Dale is joined by Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, to discuss DLD, the SEND reforms, and what it really means to ensure no child is left behind. They discuss: - Why children with DLD are six to ten times more likely to fall behind in core subjects, and twice as likely to be unemployed as adults. - The deeply problematic link between unidentified speech and language challenges and mental health - and why referring these children to talking therapies without addressing the root cause simply doesn't work. - Why children with DLD are often invisible in classrooms, quietly masking just as autistic children do - until suddenly they aren't. - How behaviour policies are failing these children, and why over three-quarters of teachers themselves say children with speech and language challenges are being unfairly punished in schools. - The government's new oracy framework and what it could mean for identification and support - if it goes far enough. - Why augmentative and alternative communication technology is life-changing for some children, and why the current commissioning guidance is working against them. About Jane Harris Jane Harris is Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, an experienced and energetic charity sector leader with 15 years' experience influencing public policy, building new audiences, and increasing income for third sector organisations including the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Rethink Mental Illness. Throughout her career, Jane has focused on raising the profile of issues that impact people's lives - through influencing public policy, building new audiences and increasing income generation. She has helped to measurably change public perceptions of mental health and autism. She recently launched Voices for DLD, has been central to the SEND reform consultation with the Department for Education and partners, and has helped guide two schools to Ofsted outstanding ratings. SEND reform and speech and language challenges
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 need to talk about the neurodivergent teachers in our schools with Chris Benson | 09 juil. 2026 | 01:24:54 | |
We will never have true inclusion in our schools while neurodivergent teachers remain hidden. In this episode, Dale is joined by Chris Benson, founder of Headfirst Consulting and ND Chat, to discuss the neurodivergent teachers in our schools – and why it's a conversation that the profession shouldn't ignore. Chris was one of the first serving headteachers to publicly disclose his own ADHD diagnosis. The response – hundreds of private messages from educators across the country – spoke volumes about just how many teachers are quietly living with the same experience. Together, Dale and Chris explore: – Why around 25% of teachers are estimated to be neurodivergent, yet there is almost no data, no formal recognition, and no consistent support in place for them. – What it really means to receive a late diagnosis, and why a neurodivergent identity should never become a glass ceiling. – The gap between awareness and genuine belief – truly believing that a child's behaviour is not a choice – and why this remains one of the biggest challenges in education today. – Why ADHD doesn't even have its own data category on school management systems, unlike autism. – What it means for a school to claim inclusion whilst its own neurodivergent staff feel they must mask. – Why the teaching profession's increasing compliance culture is making it harder – not easier – for all professionals to thrive. "We will never have true inclusion in schools whilst those in the teaching profession who are neurodivergent themselves remain hidden" About Chris Benson Chris Benson is an education leader, writer and consultant specialising in ADHD, neurodiversity and inclusive systems. With over 25 years in education and more than 15 years in senior leadership—including headship in the UK and leadership roles in leading international schools—he brings deep insight into how schools, organisations and systems enable people to belong, contribute and thrive.
Do neurodivergent teachers get support in schools
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. | |||
| Why every school needs a SENCO on the senior leadership team with Lisa Pinkerton | 02 juil. 2026 | 01:04:36 | |
If a school's inclusion strategy depends solely on its SENCO, it simply isn't sustainable – and it isn't working. In this episode, Dale is joined by Lisa Pinkerton, Head of Education at Widgit Software and former primary school deputy headteacher, to discuss why every school needs a SENCO on its senior leadership team. Together, Dale and Lisa explore why the SENCO's circle of influence is so often determined not by the SENCO themselves, but by the headteacher and the authority they choose to give. They discuss the very real tension between strategic leadership and the mountain of administrative demands that come with the role, and why inclusion by design – planning for every child's needs from the outset rather than bolting support on afterwards – leads to better outcomes for every single pupil in the school. "A SENCO with strategic influence can transform the experience of every single child in the school." About Lisa Pinkerton Lisa Pinkerton is head of education at Widgit Software. Former primary school teacher and deputy head, Lisa's passion lies in developing personalised learning journeys to meet the specific needs of children with SEND. With a specialism in early years, Lisa spent many years supporting the youngest pupils in primary and could see the transformative effect of meeting children where they are at and giving them what they need to move forward in their learning. This developed Lisa's lifelong passion for the use of Symbols. She saw, repeatedly and firsthand, the benefits of using Symbols to help with comprehension, receptive and expressive language, confidence, independence, vocabulary and, unsurprisingly, behaviour. As a result, Lisa began to support inclusion on a wider level, becoming an inclusion lead and a specialist teacher in literacy difficulties. Lisa's firm belief is that, if we consider all potential barriers at the point of planning, we can give pupils a toolkit of supports that enable them to fully access the curriculum and feel truly included. When not at work, Lisa is an avid theatre goer and keen reader. Her happy place, as a qualified scuba instructor, is under the water. https://www.facebook.com/widgitsoftware26 https://www.instagram.com/widgitsoftware/ https://x.com/widgit_software?s=21&t=WYBwCcJznmsfjzH62LQfXQ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-pinkerton-42148a26a/
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. | |||
| It's Not What It Looks Like: Screen Time and Neurodivergent Children with Dr Daniel Weisberg | 25 juin 2026 | 01:02:23 | |
When you see a child glued to a screen, it's easy to make assumptions. But for neurodivergent children, screen use is rarely what it looks like from the outside. In this episode, Dale is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg a consultant clinical psychologist to discuss neurodivergent children, young people, and screen use. Together, Dale and Daniel explore six key reasons why screens function very differently for neurodivergent children - from the haven of predictability that games provide in contrast to an overwhelming real world, to the role of screens in decompression and emotional regulation after a demanding day. They also dig into the neurobiology of dopamine, why the anticipation of screen time can be just as powerful as the screen use itself, and the important nuance between different types of screen time. They also tackle the thorny subject of sleep - what screens actually do to the brain at night, why it's not as simple as just switching off, and why the 70mph-to-standstill analogy might make you think twice about your own bedtime scrolling habits. About Dr Daniel Weisberg Dr Daniel Weisberg is a consultant clinical psychologist and the managing director of CAYP Psychology, an award-winning independent clinical psychology service for Children, Adolescents, and Young People. Daniel worked for NHS services for over ten years. He has substantial experience of working with children, adolescents and young people experiencing health, social, emotional and psychological difficulties. After he qualified as a clinical psychologist, he worked within Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for Children's Psychological Services. He then moved to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and worked within the Paediatric Psychosocial Department. Daniel specialised in paediatric neuropsychology, a highly specialised area of clinical psychology that aims to understand how children's brains relate to their learning, behaviour and development. He worked closely with children and families who are living with neurological health conditions, genetic disorders, metabolic diseases and other health conditions.
https://www.facebook.com/CAYPpsychology/ https://www.instagram.com/cayp.psychology/ https://www.tiktok.com/@cayp.psychology
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. | |||
| Leadership in Social Impact Education with Ed Robbins | 18 juin 2026 | 00:57:45 | |
For some children and young people, the traditional school system has already failed them - sometimes more than once. What they need isn't a better curriculum. It's someone who will meet them where they are. In this episode, Dale is joined by Ed Robbins, CEO of Fresh Start in Education to discuss 'Leadership in Social Impact Education'. Fresh Start works one-to-one with young people in their homes, in coffee shops, parks, libraries - wherever they feel safe enough to connect. The goal isn't academic attainment from the outset. It's building a relationship, celebrating the seemingly small wins, and gradually inspiring a belief that things can be different. Dale and Ed discuss why behaviour is always communication, why 'they won't' and 'they can't' are very different things, and why a child who hasn't left their bedroom in weeks getting as far as opening a car door is, in reality, a huge achievement worth celebrating. About Ed Robbins Ed Robbins has been an integral part of Fresh Start in Education since its earliest days, bringing over two decades of experience in teaching, mentoring, operational leadership and social impact. Ed played a key role in shaping the company's growth, having served successively as operations manager, operations director, managing director and now CEO. Before joining Fresh Start, Ed worked as a finance manager for an independent fostering agency and spent many years teaching and mentoring both in the UK and across Asia. His diverse experience, ranging from finance and strategy to direct youth engagement, gives him a unique lens through which to lead the organisation. Holding an MBA, Ed blends business acumen with deep human empathy, aligning operational excellence with a mission to see the lives of children transformed by the opportunity of a fresh start. As CEO, Ed oversees Fresh Start's national delivery and strategic development. He is passionate about system reform, second chances and scaling personalised education that genuinely works. Under his leadership, Under his leadership, the company continues to expand its reach and impact, guided by its core values: IMPACT – Innovation, Making a Difference, Person Centred, Appreciation, Collaboration and Trust. https://freshstartineducation.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/freshstartineducation/ https://www.instagram.com/freshstartedu/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshstartineducation/
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. | |||
| *Special episode* The Tes SEND Show 2026 | 16 juin 2026 | 00:29:49 | |
This is a special episode in which Dale is joined by Beverley Walters, Programme Director of the Tes SEND Show, and Jane Friswell, SEND Consultant and parent advocate, to discuss why listeners should attend the Tes SEND Show taking place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. Now in its 34th year, the show is the flagship event in the SEND calendar, offering over 42 seminars, 29 free exhibitor sessions, six parent-carer forum sessions, and a leadership summit run in partnership with ASCL. Beverley outlines this year's seminar programme, which reflects the current climate of SEND reform, covering topics such as change management in education, school improvement, and AI technology. Jane shares her experience of attending 32 of the 34 shows and reflects on the unique sense of community, collaboration, and welcome the event has always fostered. We are looking forward to exhibiting and Dale will be recording live podcasts at the show, with guests speaking about the SEND reform, which will be released after the event. We hope to see you there! About the Tes SEND ShowThe Tes SEND Show is the UK's leading event for the SEND community, with over 30 years' experience of supporting front-line teaching and support staff. The 2026 show takes place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH. The show brings together thousands of education professionals for two days of inclusive CPD, networking, and discovery. Highlights include:
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. | |||
| Empowered: Student Self-Advocacy in Schools with Claire Cannon and Alice Phillips | 11 juin 2026 | 00:54:30 | |
When schools stop doing things *to* students and start doing things *with* them, everything changes. Dale is joined by Claire Cannon a national inclusion consultant at Indigo Owl Coaching and Consultancy and Alice Phillips, a Year 11 student currently taking her GCSEs and a neurodiversity advocate with Tourette's. Together, they explore what student self-advocacy really means - and why so many schools are still getting it wrong. Alice speaks with remarkable insight and honesty about her own experiences: fighting for the right to wear a hoodie; being sanctioned for not going to lessons when she physically and mentally couldn't and spending years masking at school. Claire brings the professional lens - unpicking why schools default to rigid systems over individual understanding, and what genuine listening actually looks like in practice.
About Claire Cannon Claire Cannon is an experienced educational leader with 20+ years in education. With extensive experience across both mainstream and specialist settings, Claire has worked in a variety of roles including Assistant Head in secondary AP (SEMH) and SENCO across two education phases. Claire also supports others as an Educational Leadership Coach, INSET day provider (specialising in SEMH and behaviour), and SEND consultant – frequently contributing as a conference speaker. She is an NPQ facilitator and has served as Chair of Governors. Claire holds a degree in Psychology, bringing a research-informed, people-centred approach to her work supporting children, staff, and whole-school improvement. In her downtime, she enjoys taking time to reset – her spaniels happily take her for a walk twice each day. https://www.indigoowlcoachingandconsultancy.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088529101987 claire@indigoowlcoachingandconsultancy.co.uk
About Alice Phillips Alice is 16 years old and getting ready to take her GCSEs this year. She has 2 bunnies and 2 naughty working cocker spaniels. https://www.instagram.com/tourettes_dino26/
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. | |||
| Removing the fear of reading with Vicki Edgar | 04 juin 2026 | 01:04:55 | |
For many neurodivergent children, reading isn't just difficult - it's frightening. And without the right support, that fear can follow them well into adulthood. In this episode, Dale is joined by Vicki Edgar, Director at Fonetti and co-founder of the National Read Aloud Challenge, to discuss 'Removing the Fear of Reading'. Vicki was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven and brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation - sharing how the anxiety of reading aloud in class has stayed with her, and what finally helped her overcome it. She also introduces Fonetti, a read aloud platform that gives children real-time visual feedback as they read, and explains how it is helping reluctant and struggling readers build confidence - without judgment, and without disrupting their flow. Make sure you check out their National Read Aloud Challenge - a free summer reading initiative now in its fourth year, open to all children aged 5 to 15 across the UK! View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Vicki Edgar I'm deeply passionate about children's literacy and confidence when reading aloud. Growing up with dyslexia, I know first-hand how difficult and isolating reading can feel — and how powerful it is when a child discovers confidence in their own voice. Now, through my work with Fonetti, the read-aloud app for school and home, I'm helping children build fluency, independence, and a genuine love for reading. I see the impact every day, both in classrooms and at home with my own son, who is dyslexic, ADHD, and ASD. I work closely with schools to support the implementation of Fonetti and the Fonetti School Portal for teachers. The feedback from teachers, parents, and most importantly, the children themselves has been nothing short of inspiring. Helping children find joy and confidence in reading aloud isn't just my job, it's my purpose. 💙 Website - https://www.fonetti.com/ Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-edgar/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fonetti/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-read-aloud-challenge/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FonettiApp/ Insta - https://www.instagram.com/fonettiapp/
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. | |||
| What do neurodiverse girls need to know about romance? with Kim McCabe | 28 mai 2026 | 01:04:39 | |
Neurodiverse girls are often loyal, perceptive, and generous - qualities that are real strengths, but that can also make them vulnerable when it comes to navigating romantic relationships. In this episode, Dale is joined by Kim McCabe, founder of Rights for Girls CIC, to discuss 'What do neurodiverse girls need to know about romance?'. Kim is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years and appears regularly on BBC and Sky News as a child development expert. Kim shares her top five tips for preparing neurodiverse girls for romance, covering everything from why these conversations should start much earlier than most parents expect, to the importance of building on what girls already know about friendship rather than treating romance as entirely new territory. She also explores why neurodivergent girls can be particularly vulnerable in romantic relationships - having spent years masking, adapting, and people-pleasing in order to fit in - and why they need explicit permission to slow things down, trust their instincts, and say no. Kim and Dale also discuss the powerful role parents play as relationship role models, and why the dynamic children witness at home sets the bar for everything that follows. Kim McCabe 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.
https://www.facebook.com/RitesForGirls https://www.instagram.com/ritesforgirls/
Useful Links From Daughter to Woman by Kim McCabe Parenting Through Difficult Times
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. | |||
| Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion with Cathal Lynch | 21 mai 2026 | 00:59:15 | |
Wellbeing, culture, and inclusion are more than buzzwords - but too many schools tick the boxes without making the real change that matters. In this episode, Dale is joined by Cathal Lynch, Director of Wellbeing Quality Mark, to discuss 'Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion'. "The anxious brain is not a learning brain. The more we can reduce anxiety, the better learning and behaviour outcomes will be." Together, they explore: Why school culture always exists - whether leaders shape it intentionally or not. View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Cathal Lynch Education leader, coach and author of Building Belonging Cathal has extensive leadership experience in mainstream and special education, including as a National Director of SEND and a MAT co-founder. He is an Associate Education Expert for the Key, a coach, assessor and facilitator on the NPQEL and author of Building Belonging, a systematic approach to school improvement and emotional wellbeing.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-lynch-2b076a7a/
CPD SESSIONS Train with Cathal Lynch Go deeper with Cathal in one of his focused 1-hour CPD sessions — each just £10 and shareable with your whole school. https://thesendcast.com/shop-home/
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. | |||
| Neurodiversity and Sport: Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces Where Neurodivergent can Thrive with Liz Day | 14 mai 2026 | 00:58:13 | |
Sport has the potential to be a powerful, positive force in the lives of neurodivergent children - but without the right awareness and approach, it can become yet another environment where they feel excluded. In this episode, Dale is joined by Liz Day, founder of Collectively Diverse CIC, to discuss 'Neurodiversity and Sport: Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces Where Neurodivergent Children Can Thrive'. Liz brings a wealth of personal and professional insight - as a former county-level gymnast, specialist PE teacher, and neurodiversity expert who completed a Master's in Psychology at the University of Exeter in 2024, exploring mental health literacy in young people. Together, they explore:
This episode is essential listening for parents of neurodivergent children, coaches, and youth sports club leaders - but also highly relevant for teachers, SENCOs, and anyone supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Liz Day Liz is an experienced trainer and facilitator, passionate about mental health, neurodiversity, and cultivating a safe environment for all. She began her career as a teacher with a specialism in PE, drawing on her background as a former county-level gymnast and lifelong love of sport. This shaped her inclusive teaching approach and continues to influence her work today — sport remains central to her identity and wellbeing. https://www.collectivelydiverse.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572518254058 https://www.instagram.com/collectivelydiverseUK/ Useful Links
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. | |||
| Living with Hearing Loss and Deafness with Samantha Baines | 07 mai 2026 | 01:04:44 | |
This Deaf Awareness Week, we welcome Samantha Baines to the podcast to explore what it's like living with hearing loss and deafness. Samantha is an award-winning actress, comedian and broadcaster who discovered she was deaf nearly 10 years ago and now advocates for accessibility. Samantha shares practical insights, challenges misconceptions, and explores what meaningful accessibility looks like in everyday life and in education. They discuss:
"People just assume deaf equals absolutely no hearing. And actually, it is more complicated than that." Samantha Baines View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Samantha Baines Samantha Baines is a multi award-winning woman. An actress, broadcaster and a bestselling author as well as a business woman, speaker and mentor. She is a proud deaf and disabled person and advocate for women and disabled communities. Samantha presents on The One Show, BBC Morning Live, Rip Off Britain and BBC Radio London, researching stories with her journalist background. As an actress she has starred in Netflix's The Crown, Romesh Ranganathan's sitcom Avoidance, Alan Carr's comedy Changing Ends, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness or Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a voting BAFTA member, and has been a judge National Television Awards and the Nasen Awards. Her personal appearances include ITV's Loose Women, Sky News, ITV News and Andrew Neil's This Week. After seven years of stand-up comedy, two sell out Edinburgh Fringe runs and a UK tour, Samantha has proved her comedy chops but these days sticks to being funny on TV, social media, speaking events and books. A proud deaf and disabled woman, she is hearing aid wearer, lipreading and is learning BSL. Samantha is ambassador for the Royal National Institute for Deaf people, patron of Stagetext and the author of two children's books with deaf protagonists; the award-winning Harriet Versus the Galaxy (which she also voices on Audible) and Bloomsbury Education book The Night the Moon Went Out as well as bestselling non-fiction book Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness: a guide to owning it and loving it. Samantha is working on a new children's book serie to be announced soon. A regular on radio stations (yes even though she is deaf), Samantha can be heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London, Virgin Radio, she uses video calls for her interviews so she can lipread. A professional speaker and event host, she is a TedxOxford speaker and has spoken at the House of Commons, BAFTA, BFI, FCA as international events. She is host of the multi-award nominated, smash-hit podcast The Divorce Social. A 'Times Podcast of the Week', a No.1 relationship podcast on itunes and reaching over half a million downloads, the podcast has won awards at the International Women's Podcast Awards, the British Podcast Awards (bronze) and has had a total of ten award nominations. As well as being a successful author, Samantha has written for publications including The Guardian, The Radio Times, The Telegraph, Time Out, Huffington Post and Stylist Magazine. Samantha is also founder and director of a boutique social media management company Penguin in the Room and luxury accessories brand Baines London which raises money for charitable causes. Contact Samantha https://www.samanthabaines.com/ https://www.facebook.com/samanthabaines https://www.instagram.com/samanthabaines/ https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthabaines http://www.twitter.com/samanthabaines http://www.youtube.com/user/samanthabaines Useful Links Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness: A guide to owning it and loving it Signature deaf awareness course
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. | |||
| *Special Episode* - Who Will Be SEND? Questions, Not Answers on the Reform Ahead with Dale Pickles | 05 mai 2026 | 01:52:56 | |
Who Will Be SEND? Questions, Not Answers on the Reform Ahead Dale Pickles, Managing Director, B Squared England's SEND system is on the cusp of its most significant reform in a generation - but one crucial question is going largely unanswered: who will actually be SEND under the new framework? Dale has written another thought-provoking paper - and again he's recorded it too, so you can take it in without having to work through 34 pages of reading. He unpacks the quiet but profound shift hidden within the proposed move from four areas of need to five areas of development. The SEND register has long been used as a catch-all for children who need help - not all of whom have genuine special educational needs. The reform is set to separate those two groups, with major implications for children, families, schools, and SENCOs. This paper explores the four distinct populations affected by the changes, what the removal of Cognition and Learning as a category really means, why mental health is being repositioned as a universal concern, and how the familiar SEND vs non-SEND data comparison is about to become meaningless. Crucially, Dale argues that this reform is not about removing support - it's about making sure the right support reaches the right children, honestly described. Essential reading for SENCOs, school leaders, and anyone who cares about what happens to the children the system has always struggled to see. He is always open to conversations, so feel free to get in contact with your thoughts. Here are the timings for the different sections: Start - 00:00 Introduction - 01:37 Section 01 - 05:28 Section 02 - 09:35 Section 03 - 16:48 Section 04 - 27:09 Section 05 - 47:57 Section 06 - 01:02:53 Section 07 - 01:09:21 Section 08 - 01:21:58 Section 09 - 01:34:18 Section 10 - 01:40:49 Closing - 01:47:02 Useful links... Who will be SEND? document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Question-Who-will-be-SEND.pdf Fixing a Broken System document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fixing-a-Broken-System-1.pdf Listen to Fixing a Broken System - https://thesendcast.com/special-episode-fixing-a-broken-system/ SENDcast Session FREE Briefing on the White paper and SEND Reforms - https://thesendcast.com/product/whats-in-the-schools-white-paper-for-send/
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. | |||
| Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic People with Dr Joanna Grace | 30 avr. 2026 | 01:11:17 | |
Did you know that a third of autistic people experience serious mental health challenges? This striking statistic is highlighted by Dr Joanna Grace in her latest podcast 'Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic People'. "Autistic people have been actively removed from research about mental health." Dr Joanna Grace A sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, Joanna emphasises that while there is substantial research on mental health, we often don't know if it applies to autistic individuals. During the podcast, they discuss:
Mental health has significant consequences for the quality and length of life. By understanding the risks and barriers, we can empower ourselves and others to take proactive steps in addressing these challenges. Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Dr 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. Contact Dr Joanna www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP https://www.youtube.com/@TheSensoryProjects
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. | |||
| *Special episode* The Autism and ADHD Shows 2026 | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:32:52 | |
Geoff and Nargis join Dale in the studio for this special episode to discuss the Autism & ADHD Shows (June–July) in London, Birmingham, and, for the first time, Liverpool (moved from Manchester). They share how the event evolved from the Autism Show, launched in 2011 after their son's autism diagnosis, to its current format that also includes ADHD - driven by the rise in co-occurring diagnoses. They also describe what attendees can expect: a welcoming, supportive community hub offering over 100 CPD-accredited learning hours, practical strategies, workshops, one-to-one clinics, and the chance to connect with exhibitors and services. About the Autism and ADHD Shows It's the national event dedicated to autism and ADHD. Attend to access a huge amount of trusted information and advice to help support an autistic or ADHD person in a home, education or workplace setting. The CPD accredited programme has been designed to enable attendees to pick and choose the learning which is most relevant, whether it relates specifically to autism, ADHD or when both conditions co-occur. Interwoven between the many theatres, one to one clinics, and practical workshops, you'll also find an essential selection of specialist products and services. Discover what's on at each location: The Autism and ADHD Show LONDON 19 – 20 June The Autism and ADHD Show BIRMINGHAM 26 – 27 June The Autism and ADHD Show LIVERPOOL 3 – 4 July
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. | |||
| Rare but Recognisable: Isla's FOP Story with Nicky Muller | 23 avr. 2026 | 00:53:09 | |
Today is Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Awareness Day, and to mark the occasion we're sharing an episode focused on raising awareness of this rare condition. In this conversation, Nicky Muller - a former trustee of FOP Friends and mother of Isla, who has FOP - joins Dale to share practical insight into supporting children with rare conditions and to tell Isla's inspiring story. Nicky explains that FOP causes the body's soft tissues to progressively turn into bone, often after flare-ups triggered by injury or sometimes viruses. She highlights how unpredictable this is, and how it affects daily life - particularly movement, risk management, and schooling. A key focus is Isla's recent transition to secondary school where they discuss difficulties around inclusion, PE participation, breaks/lunchtime, and the emotional impact. Nicky highlights the importance of school-wide awareness and an inclusive culture. Stressing that genuine inclusion is not just about the support in place, but whether a child feels safe, seen, valued and able to belong. "The best one-on-ones are the ones where you don't even know they're there. Isla's voice is the voice that's heard - it's so difficult for her to feel not only included but valued." Nicky Muller View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Nicky Muller Nicky is an FOP awareness advocate and mum to Isla who is now 12 and diagnosed with FOP as a baby. A former trustee of the UK charity, FOP Friends and a career in Marketing, she combines lived experience with expertise to drive awareness, fundraising and support for families. Contact Nicky https://www.facebook.com/fopfriends https://www.instagram.com/fop_mum/ https://www.youtube.com/FOPFriends Useful Links
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 Young People with Long-Term Illness in Education with Josh Pelled | 16 avr. 2026 | 00:44:27 | |
Bright Futures' research estimates that around 270,000 young people (age 5–24) miss 20% or more of their education each year due to long-term illness. The consequences for qualifications, employment and wellbeing are severe - for example, 79% of 18-24 year‑olds who are out of work due to ill health only have qualifications at GCSEs or below, compared with 34% of their peers. These young people don't just lose learning: prolonged absence damages social connections, confidence and everyday school experiences. "Returning to normal" needs careful planning, not a simple reinstatement of lessons. Josh Pelled, CEO of Bright Futures UK and a two-time cancer survivor, founded the charity based on his lived experience of missing significant portions of his education. Josh joins Dale to discuss 'supporting young people with long-term illness in education', covering the academic, social, and mental-health impacts of prolonged absence, the difficulty of reintegration, and how technology can help maintain learning and connection but cannot replace full inclusion. "We can try to do things to bridge the gap between illness and education and make sure that a young person feels as supported as possible." Josh Pelled Listen to Josh delve into the practical, emotional, and systemic challenges faced by ill students and explore how educators, SENCos, and pastoral teams can be more proactive in helping these students stay connected to learning and community life. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Josh Pelled Joshua Pelled is the Founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK, a pioneering charity dedicated to reintegrating young people into education after serious long-term illness. His journey is deeply personal, having survived cancer twice— first at the age of five and again at sixteen. These experiences revealed the profound educational and social challenges that come with prolonged medical absences, inspiring him to create a support system he wished he had. Contact Josh https://www.brightfuturesuk.org https://www.facebook.com/BrightFuturesUKOfficial/ https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturesuk/ Useful Links ONS Statistics – People with long-term health issues
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. | |||
| Assessing Complex Learners with Jordan Garrett | 09 avr. 2026 | 01:11:49 | |
The needs around SEND in schools are increasing - both in numbers and complexity of needs – and many schools are struggling with the best way to support their learners effectively. They want to do the best for their students, but the DfE provides very limited guidance on supporting learners with SEND. Jordan Garrett from Sensory Classroom joins Dale to discuss 'assessing complex learners'. Jordan brings a wealth of experience from specialist and mainstream settings, plus years of curriculum and resource development, and offers practical, classroom-tested advice. Their discussion includes:
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Jordan Jordan is an experienced Specialist Education Teacher in the UK. She shares daily ideas, support and resources to support supporting adults of non-speaking children with SEN. Contact Jordan https://www.facebook.com/share/z4JM3rfbXWsuw2Kb/?mibextid=LQQJ4d https://www.instagram.com/sensoryclass https://www.tiktok.com/@sensoryclass Useful Links
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. | |||
| Understanding PANS and PANDAS: Bridging the Gap in Education and Health with Tina Coope | 02 avr. 2026 | 00:50:54 | |
Did you know that common infections, like strep throat, can cause a neuroinflammatory response affecting the brain? Today we're raising awareness of difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood conditions – Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Tina Coope, a former teacher and parent whose daughter experienced sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms, explains how PANS and PANDAS present, why they're often missed, and what schools can do to support affected children. This episode explains:
"You're looking for multiple unexplained changes. They are uniformly, hugely distressing across the board of those symptoms." Tina Coope View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Tina Coope Tina Coope is a former teacher with a Master's in Education and a rich background across mainstream and special schools. She's led specialist Autism provision and founded a Nurture unit in an infant school. When her daughter suddenly developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms at age 7, Tina's professional and personal worlds collided. Driven by lived experience, Tina became the Education Lead for PANS PANDAS UK in 2021, where she created the UK's first teacher and educational psychology training course on the conditions, and developed extensive resources for educators and allied professionals. She now co-chairs the national Education, Social Care and Health Group, shaping guidance for Local Authorities. Contact Tina https://www.facebook.com/panspandasuk/ https://www.instagram.com/pans_pandas_uk/ Useful Links Resources for Education Professionals Local Authority Information and Update
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. | |||
| Understanding Epilepsy's Impact on Children and Young People with Catherine Hodder | 26 mars 2026 | 00:45:54 | |
In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss 'Understanding epilepsy's impact on children and young people'. Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life. Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not feel confident responding when a seizure occurs, and as a result some children are unnecessarily excluded from lessons, sports and school trips. Catherine explains:
This episode gives clear, practical guidance that helps staff feel confident supporting pupils with epilepsy - from first aid basics to building a supportive, inclusive school culture. It's full of resources and actions schools can take straight away. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Catherine Hodder Catherine leads Young Epilepsy's policy, influencing and youth voice work to improve support systems for children and young people with epilepsy across the UK. Contact Catherine http://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/YoungEpilepsy https://www.instagram.com/youngepilepsy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@youngepilepsy inclusion@youngepilepsy.org.uk Useful Links You Can Help – Seizure Support Films for Young People Purple Day – an annual awareness day for epilepsy Supporting children and young people with epilepsy Updated draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions
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 Children with Down syndrome to Reach Their Full Potential with Sarah Holton | 19 mars 2026 | 00:52:48 | |
Did you know that children with Down syndrome have a different learning profile? Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day this Saturday, Sarah Holton from Down syndrome UK, joins Dale to tell us how we can 'support children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential'. Sarah is a specialist advisory teacher and parent to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. She shares practical, research‑informed strategies to help children with Down syndrome thrive. Why listen?
"It's really important that we make sure that we are finding ways for our children with Down syndrome to show what they know." Sarah Holton View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Sarah Holton Sarah is our Specialist Advisory Teacher and leads our Early Years Development Programme. Sarah has worked with DSUK for many years developing our PEGS programme, delivering regular behaviour bootcamps and Information Sharing Sessions on topics including early reading, numbers and choosing a preschool. More recently she has been involved in the development and delivery of our Early Years Development Programme. She is a mum to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. Contact Sarah https://www.facebook.com/PositiveaboutDownSyndrome/ https://www.instagram.com/positive_about_down_syndrome/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-uk/ https://www.youtube.com/@positiveaboutdownsyndrome
Useful Links Early Years Development Programme
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. | |||
| *Special Episode* - Fixing a Broken System: Response to the White Paper | 17 mars 2026 | 01:37:12 | |
This is a special episode focusing on the new White Paper and the SEND reforms consultation. Last week, I published my response and reflections — not just on the White Paper and the consultation itself, but also on what they mean in the wider context of the current SEND system, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the new Ofsted Inspection Framework. It turned into quite a big document… about 35 pages in total. There's a lot in there to digest, and a few people asked whether there might be an audio version. So here we are. In this episode, it's just me, reading through my response and sharing my thoughts. Hopefully it will help you reflect on how we got here, some of the challenges in the current system, what isn't mentioned in the White Paper and reforms, and where things might go next. And of course, I'll also touch on what this means for B Squared and the work we're doing. I am always open to conversations, so feel free to get in contact with your thoughts. Here are the timings for the different sections: Useful links...
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. | |||
| Young Carers: Voices That Matter with Kasia Thompson | 12 mars 2026 | 00:49:45 | |
Young carers often take on adult responsibilities, balancing school, social life, and caregiving, all while navigating the emotional impact of disability in their families. This is an increasingly important area of discussion, particularly as schools are now required to report the number of young carers within their settings for the national census. I'm delighted to share today's inspirational discussion with Kasia Thompson, a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy – 'Young Carers: Voices That Matter'. Kasia has developed an award-winning initiative aimed at supporting young carers, an often-hidden group within our schools. She shares her insights on:
You'll also hear directly from St Regis students as they share their experiences as young carers. Join us as we explore how we can better support young carers, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and empowered. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Kasia Thompson Kasia Thompson, is a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy with a passion for supporting inclusion and understanding, particularly for families raising a disabled child. Kasia developed an award-winning initiative supporting Young Carers within a mainstream secondary school. She has been a dedicated advocate for ensuring these students feel seen, supported, and empowered—creating an environment where they know they are not alone and have people ready to listen and stand beside them. Contact Kasia https://facebook.com/kingswolverhampton https://www.instagram.com/stregisceacademy Useful Links
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. | |||
| *Special Episode* National Neurodiversity Shows 2026 with Steph Barnett | 10 mars 2026 | 00:33:20 | |
In this special episode of SENDcast, host Dale speaks with Steph Barnett, the show planner for the National Neurodiversity Shows. Together, they discuss the inception and significance of these events, which aim to create inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Launched in 2025, the shows are designed to provide vital information, support, and a sense of belonging for attendees, offering a unique blend of professional insights and personal journeys. With a series of four events scheduled for 2026—Cardiff in April, Wigan in June, Coventry in July, and Glasgow for the first time in September - Steph outlines what visitors can expect, including informative seminars and community engagement opportunities. This episode emphasises the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for the neurodivergent community and highlights the show's commitment to inclusivity. The SENDcast is a proud media partner for the event and we will be exhibiting - make sure you pop by to say hi!
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. | |||
| Working Effectively with TAs with Sara Alston | 05 mars 2026 | 01:09:15 | |
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools - and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren't equipped to work with them effectively. We're missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning. In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'working effectively with TAs'. "I would much prefer to talk about 'learning support assistants' because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher." Sara Alston What you can expect from this discussion:
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Sara Alston Sara Alston has over 39 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding. She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update. Contact Sara https://www.facebook.com/seainclusion.co.uk/ Useful Links Working Effectively with your TA book
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. | |||
| The Effectiveness of EHCPs. The EHCP process and the SEND reform with Nana-Kofi Okyere | 26 févr. 2026 | 01:14:58 | |
"We have an EHCP, so we have something to work from, but almost every local authority allocates and does things in a different way." Nana-Kofi Okyere Today Dale welcomes Nana a SEN Expert/Consultant, onto the podcast to discuss 'Navigating EHCPs: Effectiveness and Exploring the SEND Reform'. Nana shares his insights and experiences navigating the complexities of EHCPs covering:
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Nana-Kofi Okyere My name is Nana, I have worked in SEN since 2012. I started on the ground as teaching assistant. I did that for 2 years and then did a Masters in Special educational needs. Following this I went to work in the local authority as a SEN Case officer, I worked my way up all the way to Service manager level. I started SEN bytes December 2024. Contact Nana-Kofi https://www.instagram.com/sen_bytes/ Useful Links
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. | |||
| SEND in Later Education: The Facts, Laws, and Real Stories with Chris Lefcovitch | 19 févr. 2026 | 01:16:41 | |
In this latest episode, Chris Lefcovitch, Head of Additional Learning Support at Milton Keynes College joins Dale. In this insightful discussion, they delve into the complexities surrounding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and their realities in later education. Post-16 education often exists on the fringes of legislation and can feel like an afterthought. Various laws, statutory guidance, and governing body frameworks come into play when young people reach their mid-teens, significantly impacting their provision, curriculum options, and the longevity of EHCPs. It's crucial for key stakeholders to be aware of this. "These are discussions that are being had post-16 and they're tricky discussions." Chris Lefcovitch Throughout the episode, we explore how education and SEND law evolve towards the end of an EHCP journey. Many parents and carers may not be informed about these changes at the start of their child's educational path because no one wants to deliver what might be perceived as 'bad news.' View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Chris Lefcovitch As an experienced Head of Additional Learning Support, I am passionate about building inclusive education systems that empower young people with special educational needs and disabilities to thrive. My career spans frontline teaching, youth justice education, and PRU tutoring through to senior leadership, SEND reforms consultancy, and national public speaking. This breadth has equipped me with the strategic vision, legislative expertise, and hands-on understanding needed to lead large teams and deliver system-wide improvements. Beyond legislation and leadership, I bring a vast range of SEND-related training and qualifications covering statutory frameworks, safeguarding, equality, autism, and inclusive teaching. This foundation enables me to create and deliver impactful CPD programmes that drive sustainable improvements across teams. A core strength has been building rapport and trusted relationships with learners, families, colleagues, and external stakeholders. I have collaborated with local authorities, feeder schools, and government agencies to align provision, influence reforms, and strengthen multi-agency working. My involvement in local authority strategy groups has provided valuable insight into policy-making and enhanced my ability to shape SEND provision at scale. I am motivated by raising aspirations, preparing young people for adulthood, and ensuring statutory compliance. My leadership combines deep legislative expertise with a people-first approach, enabling colleagues and learners alike to succeed. I continue to contribute to national conversations on SEND policy and practice while working with teams, families, and local authorities to deliver high-quality, person-centred provision. Contact Chris https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lefcovitch-2960262b0/ Useful Links Schools Week- Six changes Labour must make to the SEND code of practice SEN Magazine - EHCPs explained Osted guidance - Education Inspection Framework The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years
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. | |||
| Screens, Meltdowns and Power Struggles with Dr Daniel Weisberg | 12 févr. 2026 | 00:58:36 | |
I'm excited to share this week's episode, which I've been eagerly anticipating! Like many parents, screen time is a contentious topic in my household. Screen time is one of the most common concerns raised by parents, schools and professionals, yet much of the public conversation is polarised, guilt-inducing or overly simplistic. Families are often left feeling blamed, anxious or unsure how to respond when screens become a source of conflict or distress. Dr Daniel Weisberg, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, joins Dale in the podcast today to discuss 'Screens, Meltdowns and Power Struggles'. Daniel highlights that we need to move away from fear-based messaging and towards a deeper understanding of why children turn to screens, what function screens serve, and how adults can establish boundaries that support emotional well-being instead of escalating power struggles. With the overuse of screens impacting sleep, mood, behaviour, attention, and family relationships, this discussion explores the real dynamics of screen time. It addresses what children are engaging with, why screens can be both regulating and dysregulating, and how emotional, sensory, and developmental factors influence screen use. This episode empowers adults to respond to screen-related challenges confidently, without resorting to rigid rules or extremes, and to engage in supportive, realistic, and psychologically informed ways. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Dr Daniel Weisberg Dr Daniel Weisberg is a consultant clinical psychologist and the managing director of CAYP Psychology, an award-winning independent clinical psychology service for Children, Adolescents, and Young People. Daniel worked for NHS services for over ten years. He has substantial experience of working with children, adolescents and young people experiencing health, social, emotional and psychological difficulties. After he qualified as a clinical psychologist, he worked within Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for Children's Psychological Services. He then moved to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and worked within the Paediatric Psychosocial Department. Daniel specialised in paediatric neuropsychology, a highly specialised area of clinical psychology that aims to understand how children's brains relate to their learning, behaviour and development. He worked closely with children and families who are living with neurological health conditions, genetic disorders, metabolic diseases and other health conditions. Contact Daniel https://www.facebook.com/CAYPpsychology/ https://www.instagram.com/cayp.psychology/ https://www.tiktok.com/@cayp.psychology Useful Links
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. | |||
| Therapeutic Effect of Birds of Prey with Angela Norwood | 05 févr. 2026 | 00:51:34 | |
Have you ever listened to a podcast featuring a guest owl? Today, you're in for a treat - twoo! Angela Norwood, Managing Director of Berkshire Birds of Prey, joins Dale in the studio, accompanied by Pumba, a vocal Tawny Owl. Angela discusses her remarkable journey from working as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and behaviour to founding Berkshire Birds of Prey. She explains how these majestic birds help children and young people calm and regulate their emotions, making a significant impact on their mental health. Highlights include:
Angela's innovative approach to mental well-being through interactions with birds of prey is both fascinating and inspiring. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Angela Norwood Angela Norwood, affectionately known as the "Bird Lady," is the founder of Berkshire Birds of Prey, a venture she started in 2017, which has become a cherished part of the community. In 2023, Angela expanded her impact by establishing a Community Interest Company (CIC), dedicated to providing educational experiences that connect people with nature. With a long history in education, Angela has served as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), specialising in supporting children with autism and behavioural challenges - those who often struggle to fit into traditional educational settings. Her passion for nurturing and guiding these children seamlessly translates into her work with birds of prey, where she combines her love for wildlife with her commitment to education and inclusion. Through Berkshire Birds of Prey, Angela promotes awareness of these magnificent birds while also facilitating therapeutic and educational programs that empower individuals, inspire curiosity, and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. Contact Angela https://www.berkshirebirdsofprey.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/berkshirebirdsofprey info@berkshirebidsofprey.co.uk
Useful Links
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. | |||
| Are you a Sensory Elephant or Mouse? with Ali Neal | 29 janv. 2026 | 00:59:15 | |
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:
"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. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Ali Neal 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.
www.schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolsensorysolutions/about/ https://www.instagram.com/sensorysolutions_/ Useful Links School Sensory Solutions training membership 101 sensory circuit activities The SENDcast is powered by B Squared 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 | 22 janv. 2026 | 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:
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. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Kim McCabe 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. Contact Kim https://www.facebook.com/RitesForGirls https://www.instagram.com/@ritesforgirls/ Useful Links From Daughter to Woman, parenting girls safely through their teens by Kim McCabe Parenting Through Difficult Times
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. | |||
| Charting a Neuroinclusive Future: Why Systemic Change Starts with Education with Liz Day, Victoria Bagnall, Pete Jarrett and Fintan O'Regan | 15 janv. 2026 | 01:04:41 | |
Inclusion in education isn't working as well as it should. Despite good intentions, many neurodivergent young people are still being left behind, leading to lifelong consequences for their well-being and opportunities. In our latest SENDcast episode, host Dale Pickles is joined by a record number of guests - five members of the Compass Panel - a passionate group of professionals committed to neuro-inclusion. Featuring Liz Day, Victoria Bagnall, Dr Helen Ross, Fintan O'Regan, and Pete Jarrett the panel explores the pressing need for systemic change in education. They discuss how current systems often fail neurodivergent individuals and how practical, evidence-informed changes can transform inclusion from an aspiration into an everyday reality. The conversation addresses what's currently happening in schools, the rising exclusion rates as a warning sign of deeper systemic issues, and a roadmap toward a genuinely neuroinclusive society. Join them for insights on actionable steps that individuals and organisations can take to implement positive change. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Liz Day Liz is an experienced trainer and facilitator, passionate about mental health, neurodiversity, and cultivating a safe environment for all. She began her career as a teacher with a specialism in PE, drawing on her background as a former county-level gymnast and lifelong love of sport. This shaped her inclusive teaching approach and continues to influence her work today - sport remains central to her identity and wellbeing.
Contact Liz https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572518254058 instagram.com/collectivelydiverseuk About Victoria Bagnall Victoria is a neurodiverse teacher and mother of 3 girls who has dedicated her life to raising awareness of essential brain She believes that knowledge of executive functioning helps people to be kinder to themselves and those around them and has the power to change the world. About Victoria https://www.instagram.com/connectionsinmind/ https://twitter.com/VictoriaBagnal2 schools@connectionsinmind.co.uk About Fintan O'Regan He was the Head teacher 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 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. Contact Fintan https://www.facebook.com/FintanORegansBehaviourManagementConsultancy/ 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
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. | |||
| Navigating Ofsted's New Framework: What You Need to Know for SEND with Adam Sproston | 08 janv. 2026 | 00:54:17 | |
With the launch of the new Ofsted framework at the end of last year, you may be wondering what this means for SEND. In today's episode, Ofsted join us to discuss the key elements of the new inspection framework and its implications for SEND. In this episode, host Dale Pickles is joined by Adam Sproston, a senior His Majesty's Inspector for SEND, AP, and Inclusion. Together, they explore:
Adam brings his extensive experience in school improvement and strategic SEND leadership to the conversation, providing listeners with valuable insights into how schools can create an inclusive environment for all learners. Whether you're an educator, school leader, or involved in supporting SEND students, this episode offers essential information and guidance on navigating the changing landscape of education. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Adam Sproston Adam Sproston is Senior His Majesty's Inspector for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), alternative provision (AP) and inclusion. He is a qualified teacher and has taught across the full primary age range. Before joining Ofsted, Adam gained extensive school improvement and senior leadership experience in primary schools, including specially resourced provision. He has also worked at local authority level in both early years and SEND strategic leadership. Adam holds a NPQH and the national award for SEND coordination. He leads inspections of primary, special and independent schools. Adam also leads and quality assures area SEND inspections. Contact Adam https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted http://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-sproston-63872725b Useful Links Ofsted's latest area SEND thematic report - Beyond the classroom: the experiences of children with SEND who are not in school - GOV.UK
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. | |||
| From Classroom to Career: The Power of Supported Internships with Kirsty Matthews | 01 janv. 2026 | 00:52:13 | |
Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to kick off 2026 with our first podcast episode this year! Whether you're recovering from last night's celebrations or enjoying a refreshing walk, this insightful discussion is the perfect way to start the year. Dale is joined by Kirsty Matthews, the CEO of DFN Project Search, to discuss 'From classroom to career: The power of supported internships'. Kirsty sheds light on the challenges faced by young people with learning disabilities in the job market. She shares a shocking statistic: less than 5% of individuals with a learning disability known to their local authority in England secure paid employment, compared to 80% of their peers. DFN Project SEARCH aims to change that, with an ambitious goal of supporting over 10,000 young adults into meaningful paid employment by 2030. Kirsty discusses:
"It raises everybody's expectation about what is possible. Bit by bit, we can begin to change the whole face of how we work and take those barriers that we were talking about out." Kirsty Matthews Listen to discover how enhanced career opportunities can empower young adults with learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum to lead positive, independent, and fulfilling lives. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Kirsty Matthews Kirsty was appointed as CEO of DFN Project SEARCH in September 2024. DFN Project SEARCH is a national charity serving young adults who have a learning disability or are autistic, or both, to make a positive transition from education into permanent full-time employment. Her previous roles include:
Contact Kirsty https://www.dfnprojectsearch.org/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067093805818 https://www.instagram.com/dfnprojectsearch Useful Links DFN Project SEARCH 2024 Annual Report CYP Now - Breaking barriers to employment How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas | The Sun
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. | |||
| Helping Learning To Stick with Dr Susie Nyman | 18 déc. 2025 | 01:00:25 | |
As we approach the end of 2025, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to you - our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 52 episodes recorded, 35 new guest speakers and 100,000 downloads. Thank you for being part of this journey! I'm excited to share our latest episode of the SENDcast, where we explore the concept of "sticky learning" with the legendary Dr. Susie Nyman! A recently retired curriculum manager with 29 years of experience, Susie shares her insights on how to make learning truly resonate with students, especially those with special educational needs. In this episode, Susie discusses:
She emphasises the importance of simplifying information, allowing students to connect new concepts to what they already know. This episode is packed with valuable strategies that can transform classroom practices and support inclusive learning. We hope you find it as inspiring as we did, and if you enjoy it, please share it with your colleagues and friends! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a well-deserved break! We look forward to returning in the New Year with an exciting lineup of guest speakers and more great content. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Dr Susie Nyman Dr Susie Nyman is passionate about discovering how children learn and supporting them in ways which enable them to succeed. She was appointed as a Biology teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough in 1995, and subsequently as Curriculum Manager for Health and Social Care where she has worked ever since. Susie strives to raise students' achievements and support them in ways which enables them to succeed. She works with her students deploying a range of innovative and Multi-sensory teaching techniques to assist their learning including her 'Equality and Diversity Tree' and famous puppets! Additionally, she has provided training to PGCE students at Kingston University, and in a number of local schools and colleges on teaching strategies. Since February 2017, Susie has presented seminars on 'Multi-sensory Techniques' at The Learning Differences Conventions in Australia, Richmond College, The Helen Arkell Centre, Bell House, The Oratory School, The National Education Show and The Tes SEN Shows in London and Manchester. Recently, she was filmed 'in action' for The British Dyslexia Association as well as Oaka Books, and the footage is available on YouTube. Subsequently, she has written a chapter about 'Multi-sensory Teaching' in the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide and 'The Multi-sensory Teaching Toolkit' by Oaka Books. In recognition of over 21 years continued service at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, Susie has been nominated three times by the College for the 'Tes FE Teacher of the Year Award'. This is an honour of which she is immensely proud. Contact Susie drsusienyman@drnymanconsultancy.co.uk Useful Links Nyman S. (2024). Oaka Digital. 'Dr Susie Nyman Multi-sensory Techniques.' Oaka Digital Susie's other podcast recordings
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. | |||
| How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan with Ekaterina Harrison | 11 déc. 2025 | 00:52:17 | |
Despite being central to support for children with SEND, the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process is often overwhelming and confusing for families. Ekaterina Harrison, a solicitor and author of the EHCP Handbook, joins Dale to discuss 'How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan'. Ekaterina offers vital legal insights and personal strategies to help listeners take informed, confident steps - whether reviewing an EHCP for the first time or requesting changes to an existing plan. "It's quite a sad state of affairs to have trickery going on in this sector". Ekaterina Harrison In this insightful episode, Ekaterina highlights:
Listen to a practical and empowering guide for anyone looking to transform paperwork into meaningful support. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Ekaterina Harrison Ekaterina Harrison is a solicitor qualified to practise law in England and Wales. She is an author of "The EHCP Handbook: How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan". Her expertise in education law has developed through advocacy work for her children's needs and volunteering with the charity SOS!SEN. As a mother to three neurodivergent children, Ekaterina brings a unique perspective to her writing on special needs and legal entitlements. The illustrations in the book were created by Ekaterina Harrison's son, James, who was 11 at the time. A different piece of his artwork was selected for exhibition at the Royal Academy Young Artists' Summer Show in 2023.
Contact Ekaterina https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterinaharrison/
Useful Links The EHCP Handbook In England, more than half a million children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities are provided with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). However, merely having one does not guarantee a smooth education journey. If not properly written, an EHCP can be ineffective or even misleading. This accessible, illustrated handbook acts as a guide through all the stages of making an ECHP, equipping the reader with the information needed to ensure it provides clear guidance and support for the child or young person's education journey. https://www.amazon.co.uk/EHCP-Handbook-Effective-Education-Parents/dp/1803883952
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. | |||
| Sensory Struggles With Eating with Dr Joanna Grace | 04 déc. 2025 | 01:05:31 | |
Can you believe it's already December? With the holiday season upon us, festivities often revolve around food, which can be particularly stressful for families with fussy eaters - something I can relate to with my 7-year-old son at mealtimes. Eating is essential for our health and well-being, yet it can become a source of anxiety for many families. In this episode, Dr Joanna Grace, sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, shares her personal journey as a fussy eater and highlights that sensory issues often relate more to texture than taste. "The emotional tension is there because you really, really love that child and you want them to eat." Jo explains how overwhelming sensory experiences can make mealtimes a stressful challenge for both children and their families. She also offers practical strategies for creating a low-pressure environment at the table, introducing the idea of "graze plates." This approach allows individuals to explore textures and flavours without the pressure to eat, making mealtime a more enjoyable experience. Listen to hear why eating can be such a sensory triggering process and why it can be such a stressful and emotive topic. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Dr Joanna Grace Dr 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. Contact Joanna www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP www.Youtube.com/@TheSensoryProjects Useful Links
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. | |||
| Adaptive Teaching Through 5 Phases of the Lesson with Sara Alston | 27 nov. 2025 | 01:08:49 | |
In our latest episode of the SENDcast, we tackle an important topic that often gets lost in the debate over terminology: the practical aspects of differentiation and adaptive teaching. Too much discussion focuses on what to call these strategies, and not enough on how to effectively implement them. Today, Sara Alston, an experienced SEND and Safeguarding consultant, joins Dale in the studio to look at the 5 phases of the lesson and how to implement adaptive teaching strategies across them: "There are two key elements; 1. Involving, engaging and supporting all the children in the class and 2. it's about not working teachers into the grave." Sara Alston In this insightful episode, Sara breaks down the five phases of a lesson and discusses how to apply adaptive teaching strategies at each stage to better engage all students:
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Sara Alston Sara Alston has over 38 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding. She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update. Contact Sara https://www.facebook.com/seainclusion.co.uk/ Useful Links Working Effectively with your TA book
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. | |||