Parents of SEND children face numerous challenges, including feeling unheard, overwhelmed, and stressed when trying to get their child’s needs met. They often find themselves at loggerheads with institutions, grappling with systemic failures such as inconsistencies across local authorities, the postcode lottery, and the inadequacies of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). As Danise Grant aptly states, “It shouldn't be such an uphill battle for people to get what they need.”

In this episode, ‘SEND Parent Partnerships’, Danise joins Dale to share her unique perspective as a former teacher, local authority SEND panel member and SEND parent. This multifaceted experience allows her to understand the complexities of the SEND system and to assist parents in developing advocacy skills to achieve the best outcomes for their children.

We also discuss the challenging tripartite relationship between local authorities, parents, and schools, exploring how issues of race and disability intersect in this context. Danise highlights the stigma often faced by families, as well as the critical need for genuine inclusion and thoughtful consideration in educational settings.

Danise is dedicated to empowering parents, equipping them with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the system confidently and effectively.

 

About Danise B. Grant

Danise B. Grant, an former secondary teacher, turned SEND Advocate and educator. She is the founder of Panda's Tree, the UK's pioneering organisation dedicated to advocating for, educating about, and supporting the Black Down syndrome community; and one of the partnering members of the Black Child: Down syndrome Project. She has over 2 decades in various educational settings including adult literacy, TESOL, and secondary education both private and public. However, it was her experience as a mother of a child with special needs and disability; that reignited her passion for advocacy and social justice. Her current mission, SEND Parent Partnerships, revolves around championing inclusion and diversity within educational institutions where she works collaboratively with parents and institutions to get the best outcomes for their children with SEND who require special educational support. Additionally, she serves as a judicial official and a key member of a local authority SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) panel. More recently she started a podcast The SEND Sisterhood with another SEND mum; where they seek to expose some hard truths as well as the joys of SEND parenting.

 

Contact Danise

[email protected]

 

Useful Links

The SEND Sisterhood podcast 

 

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk 
• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast 
• Email Dale – [email protected] 
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

 

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.