With a new school term comes a new season of the SEND Network Podcast! In our first episode of 2025, Izzy Felton is joined by Simon Airey. Izzy and Simon discuss neurodivergent play, covering:

• Open-ended play 
• Allowing children to play their way 
• And using observations to plan play opportunities

Simon also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to hear what he has to say. If you would like to ask future guests questions, register for the SEND Network today.

About Simon
Simon currently works with children with SEND (whether that is diagnosed or undiagnosed), focusing on neurodivergent play in EYFS. 

Contact Simon
Email: [email protected]
Linkedin: Simon Airey

Academy 21
This episode is sponsored by Academy21, the UK’s leading online, DfE-accredited, alternative provision experts. Working with schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts, they help students, through live teaching to build confidence, re-engage and progress in their education.

Academy21 works in partnership with schools and other institutions to support students who are struggling with attendance for whatever reason, providing a bridge towards reintegration.

Find out more about Academy21 by heading to their website, academy21.co.uk 

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

In our final episode before the holidays, Izzy is joined by Jane Green MBE. They discuss emotional based school avoidance, and the link between neurodivergence and joint hypermobility conditions.

Jane also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to hear what she has to say. If you would like to ask future guests questions, register for the SEND Network today.

Resources
SEDSConnective is the foremost hypermobility neurodivergent charity dedicated to supporting individuals with hypermobility (EDS HSD) and neurodivergent conditions (Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia, TS, Dyslexia, and more).

Check out their research on their website www.sedsconnective.org

Other research:

• Physical health challenges in neurodivergent children and young people
• Autism and mental health

About Jane
Jane is a former Assistant Headteacher, ex-national lead for autism, ADHD and dyspraxia, has worked in all phases of education and the founder and chair of the SEDSConnective.

Contact Jane
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SEDSConnective

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Gary Aubin returns for the second time this series, to discuss how SENCOs can best utilise and support the teaching assistants in their school.

Including:

• Tapping into you TAs interests and specialties 
• Looking at the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guide
• How to support them in their role

Resources
Check out the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants resource

About Gary
Gary leads a national network of MAT SEND leaders through whole education as well as the author of the Lone SENCO and the SEND Matters blog.   

Contact Gary
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: Gary Aubin (@SENDMattersUK) / Twitter
LinkedIn: Gary Aubin | LinkedIn
Read the SEND Matters Blog here: Blog – SEND Matters

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Since COVID, attendance in school has been on the decline. With new measures being implemented in an attempt to get more children back in school, Suzy Rowland joins Izzy on the podcast to discuss the deeper reasons students may not be in school. 

During the episode, Suzy covers:

• The five main groups of children that are most likely to be school avoiders and why
• Universal provision to help students attend school
• Examples of what school staff can do to gain a young person's trust

Resources mentioned in this episode
Your Child is Not Broken - Heidi Mavir
PDA in the Family - Steph Curtis
My Senses Are Like Cups - Clare Ward and James Galpin
'I can't go to school!' - Suzy Rowland

About Suzy
Suzy is an author, Autism & ADHD Specialist, and founder of the Happy in School Project.

Contact Suzy
Check out her website www.suzyrowland.com

SEND Network Courses
The SEND Network courses are designed to provide best practice strategies to support children across the four broad areas of need. Each course contains four topic modules to work through in your own time. Find out more on our website!

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Since we began the podcast, ADHD has been mentioned throughout. So it only felt right to spend a whole episode talking about it!

Izzy is joined by Lynn McCann, who takes us through some strategies that SEND practitioners can use to help students in the classroom with ADHD. Including:

1. Sensory and movement breaks
2. Scaffolding executive functioning 
3. Self esteem and wellbeing

Resources mentioned in this episode

• 'All About Autism' books by Lynn McCann
• The ADHD Hero Activity Book (ADHD Foundation)
• School-based interventions for ADHD
• 'ADHD and me' by Claire Ryan (coming soon...)
• '100 Ideas for Secondary Teachers - Supporting Students with ADHD' by Janine Perryman
• SEND Network Courses

About Lynn
Lynn is an autism, ADHD, and PDA specialist teacher, and author of the All About Autism guides.

Contact Lynn
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Lynn McCann
Reachout - Autism Support Consultants

13 ways to encourage a child (or adult) with ADHD

SEND Network Courses
The SEND Network courses are designed to provide best practice strategies to support children across the four broad areas of need. Each course contains four topic modules to work through in your own time. Find out more on our website!

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

This year, the SEND Network podcast returned to the Tes SEND Show! This time, Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day, to discuss a wide range of topics within SEND. Including:

• Inclusive reading frameworks
• ADHD in early years
• Autism in girls
• Assitive technology in SEND

Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in order of appearance):

Samantha Asher, Dr Sarah Moseley, Chantal Bryan OBE, Martin Bailey, BATA, Twinkl, Sarah-Jane Critchley, PANS PANDAS UK and Kellie Bright.

The SEND Network

For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

This week on the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by RDI consultant Andreja Stefulj. Andrea explores empowerment, self regulation and collaboration between SENCO, teacher and parent to support a child with SEND in school. 

This episode looks at:

• How changing your mentality can make you a better educator
• How opening up can help mental wellbeing of SENCOs, teachers and parents alike
• And importantly, how all this can benefit the child at the centre

About Andrea
Andreja is certified RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) consultant and founder of Autism Connect. She is also a certified yoga and mindfulness teacher for neurodivergent individuals.

Contact Andrea
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: guiding_neurodivergent_kids
Website: autism-connect.org.uk & rdiconnect.com

Tes SEND Show 2024
The UK’s leading SEND Show is returning to the business Design Centre in London on 11-12 October. Join us at the Tes SEND Show for two packed days of learning, sharing and connecting as we bring together experts, education professionals and exhibitors from across the UK. 

Build your learning by attending our CPD-certified seminars from leaders in the SEND community. Source new resources for your learners from over 100 exhibitors. Or simply connect with the wider community of educators. Register here.

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

SEND law and EHCPs can often feel slightly confusing but SEND and EHCP consultant Garry Freeman is here to help!

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Garry and Izzy discuss SEND law, the role of a SENCO when creating an EHCP and debunking some EHCP myths.

Here are a few links to pieces of legislation that Garry referred to in the episode:
Young person’s guide to the Children and Families Act 2014
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014
Education Act 1996

About Garry
Garry is a SEND and EHCP (Education, Health and Care plan) consultant with over 40 years experience as a teacher & school leader.

Contact Garry
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: Garry Freeman (@gfreeman2012)
Facebook: Garry Freeman SEND Consultancy

Tes SEND Show 2024
The UK’s leading SEND Show is returning to the business Design Centre in London on 11-12 October. Join us at the Tes SEND Show for two packed days of learning, sharing and connecting as we bring together experts, education professionals and exhibitors from across the UK. 

Build your learning by attending our CPD-certified seminars from leaders in the SEND community. Source new resources for your learners from over 100 exhibitors. Or simply connect with the wider community of educators. Register here.

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

Welcome back for season five! We can't quite believe we've reached the fifth season of the SEND Network series already. To celebrate, this episode sees the return of our first ever guest Gary Aubin.

In this episode, Gary and Izzy discuss helpful tasks that can help start your year as a SENCo right. The episode covers:

• Getting to know your SEND register
• Communication with parents and teachers
• Knowing your schools provisions and implementing new ones

About Gary
Gary leads a national network of MAT SEND leaders through whole education as well as the author of the Lone SENCO and the SEND Matters blog.   

Contact Gary:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: Gary Aubin (@SENDMattersUK) / Twitter
LinkedIn: Gary Aubin | LinkedIn
Read the SEND Matters Blog here: Blog – SEND Matters

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)

As The SEND Network Podcast reaches it's fifth season, we look back at our episodes so far and provide you with some of our experts top tips for working in the SEND sector.

From time management to multi-sensory learning, unmasking to supporting neurodiverse staff. Discover the best advice our experts have had to offer throughout our 26 episodes!

This episode features: Kate Browning, Gary Aubin, Cheryl Warren, Francis Akinde, Jo Grace, Dr Susie Nyman, Duncan Casburn (PDA Dad UK) and Catrina Lowri

The SEND Network
For more information and resources, access the Podcast Discussion Room here: https://send-network.co.uk/rooms/the-send-network-podcast

New to the network? Register here: SEND Network | An online community for SEND professionals (send-network.co.uk)