The SENDcast

Before announcing the final episode of 2024, I just wanted to say a big heartfelt thank you to you, our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 51 episodes recorded, 19 new guest speakers, 100,000 downloads and a nasen award to celebrate our achievements. Thank you for being part of this journey!

This week, we dive into the concept of relational practice - a powerful approach that emphasises treating others as we wish to be treated, fostering equality, and mutual respect. I'm thrilled to welcome two new guests to the podcast: Beth Elkins, Headteacher, and Ian Thorsteinsson, Executive Principal of Gretton School.

In this episode, 'The power of relational practice in an autism setting', Beth and Ian discuss how changing the culture of a school can support the reduction of behaviours of concern and create a thriving learning environment. They share insights on the essence of relational practice and discuss the implementation.

Key takeaways include:

• The significance of shifting away from traditional hierarchical models in education.
• Strategies for creating a supportive environment that encourages intrinsic motivation.
• Insights on managing behaviour through understanding rather than punishment.

Accommodations for autism are not always clear for professionals, listen to this episode to hear how relational practice allows connection, communication and change in the most powerful of ways.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a well-deserved break! I look forward to returning in the New Year with an exciting lineup of guest speakers and more great content.

Beth Elkins has worked in SEN for more than 25 years with a breadth of experience of working with learners with unique learning profiles and a need for education to be different. A parent of a young man with PDA, Beth's passion for specialist education runs through both her personal and professional life, with the aim of making a positive difference in the lives of as many young people as possible.

Ian Thorsteinsson joined the Cavendish Group in August 2018. He has a long senior management history in specialist education, particularly in autism schools and services. He has even opened a school for autism in Saudi Arabia. He is passionate about delivering a strong, effective and well resourced provision, which is planned individually, to ensure the best short- through to long-term outcomes.

grettonschool.com

[email protected]

http://Facebook.com/@grettonschool

http://instagram.com/@grettonschool

• 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

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.

Tigger Pritchard, a neuroaffirming advocate, consultant, and trainer joins Dale in today's episode to discuss 'Why do so many professionals believe they are right?'. The discussion delves into why many professionals hold rigid beliefs about autism and the implications this has on neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Tigger emphasises that while many professionals are well-intentioned, a significant number are stuck using outdated training from decades ago. This can lead to harmful assumptions and practices that negatively impact the lives of autistic individuals.

In their discussion, Tigger highlights how families often feel dismissed or invalidated by professionals who are unwilling to consider new perspectives and the emotional toll this can take on both parents and children.

Listen to Tigger's advice on why we need to listen and learn from each other, with professionals engaging with the autistic community to gain authentic insights and improve practices.

My name is Tigger Pritchard, awesomely Neurodivergent and passionate about reducing anxiety for all. To help all Neurotypes understand each other, to bridge the Neurodivide.

Self-Identifying Neurospicy, working with individuals, families, education, cooperate organisations across the UK! Face to face and by Zoom.

www.tiggerpritchard.com

[email protected]

facebook.com/Neuroaffirming

• 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

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.

Two days ago, we celebrated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Dale recently had the pleasure of recording a podcast with Chloe Plummer, she shared her insights on living with cerebral palsy and the 'Assumptions around physical disabilities'.

In our conversation, Chloe explains what cerebral palsy is and shares her personal experiences navigating daily life. She addresses common misconceptions about physical disabilities and emphasises the importance of open dialogue and self-advocacy.

Chloe uses a walking frame, she discusses how this impacts her social interactions and encourages listeners to engage with individuals with disabilities without preconceived perceptions.

"You should always assume someone can until they disclose otherwise, or ask for help"

Chloe Plummer

Listen to gain an insight into living with a physical disability and adopting a more inclusive mindset.

Chloe Plummer is the Events and Programme Coordinator (South) at MOVE Europe and is responsible for supporting both new and existing schools in the South of the country on their MOVE journey.

Chloe has a background working with various disability organisations both locally and nationally over the last 8 years. As a result of her own lived experience of physical disability Chloe has a real passion for improving outcomes for all disabled people and also has first hand experience of the importance of providing movement opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities ensuring they are able to live fulfilled and independent lives. Chloe combines her experience and passion in her role at MOVE and is excited to be speaking on the SEND Cast!

MOVE Europe are a small charity working with over 160 special schools in the UK, enabling children with physical disabilities and complex needs to gain independent movement skills through the MOVE Programme.

Our vision is for every disabled young person to have choice and opportunities by learning independent movement. We work towards this by training education and therapy professionals in the MOVE Programme and providing ongoing support so that they can achieve the best outcomes possible for the disabled young people they support.

www.moveeurope.org.uk

[email protected]

http://x.com/@MOVEprogramme

https://x.com/Chloe_Plummer_

http://facebook.com/@MOVEprogramme

https://www.instagram.com/chloe_plummer_95/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chloeplummer

Chloe's blog

• 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

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 results of a recent study on the widely used Zones of Regulation have come as quite a shock to many in education. Despite its widespread use, the evidence does not seem to support the use of Zones of Regulation, especially with students with SEND.

In today's episode we dive into the implications of this new research with Kerry Thalia discussing 'Emotional Regulation Resources for SEND.' Emotional regulation is a critical aspect of working with children and young people, significantly impacting their ability to access other areas of education. However, the literature review by Mason et al. in 2023 raises important questions about the use of Zones of Regulation with SEND students.

One of the key concerns is the use of colours to label and categorise emotions and states. In the SEND context, colours often have different meanings in various areas, which can be confusing for the child or young person.

Additionally, the Zones of Regulation approach does not seem to provide adequate support for the adults working with these students. In contrast, research from CASEL (The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), suggests that supporting the adults can have positive effects on the students as well.

Understanding our own emotions and emotional states can be challenging as adults. Expecting children, especially those with SEND, to identify and regulate their emotions using a colour-coded system may not be the most effective approach. Join us for this thought-provoking discussion!

Kerry is an Autistic ADHD business owner who works to close the gap between research and practical teaching in classrooms by creating resources that support SEND children and young people access learning, communication and play. She has experience working in specialist and mainstream schools as well as directly with families.

discoverinclusion.co.uk/

[email protected]

http://x.com/@DiscoverIncl

Bumper Book of Creative Learning

Access to Academic Learning Conference (October 2024)

Discover Inclusion Training

Zones of Regulation

Mason et al study

CASEL guide on schoolwide SEL

• 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

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.

SENCOs have a notoriously busy role spinning many plates. Ginny Bootman, a SENCO working across four schools, joins Dale in this episode 'Time saving tips for SENCOs' to provide insights on how to work smarter, not harder.

"We want to actually be with the children, so by saving time in other ways, we get to spend more time with them, which is what it's all about."

Ginny Bootman

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

• Maximising efficiency: Ginny's experience of going paperless, which allows her to access vital information anytime, anywhere - essential for managing multiple schools.
• Tech tips: The benefits of using dual monitors for increased productivity, and how organising your digital files can save you time in the long run.
• Email management: Strategies for keeping your inbox organised with rules and folders, as well as the importance of using unread and flagged email search folders.
• Note-taking techniques: How live notetaking in meetings can enhance transparency and streamline your workflow.

Whether you're a seasoned SENCO or just starting in the role, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you reclaim your time and enhance your effectiveness.

I have been a teacher longer than I haven't, as a Headteacher, Senior Manager and Class Teacher and now as a SENCO of 2 Primary schools in Northamptonshire. My passion lies within all things concerned with empathy and the role which empathy plays in ensuring that all of those in school settings feel valued and listened to. I am an Associate of Undiscovered Country a team who help individuals manage change.

www.ginnybootman.com

[email protected]

https://x.com/sencogirl

Ginny joined Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:

1. Making meetings work: for children; parents; SENCOs and schools 2. How SENCOs working across more than 1 school can benefit: children; parents; schools and SENCOs

Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school.

Ginny's Book - Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO: 113 tips for building relationships, saving time and changing lives

https://amzn.eu/d/b373B4P

• 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

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.

**Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning.**

Psychosis, hallucinating, depression, mania…..did you know these are all symptoms of bipolar disorder? Living with this condition can be terrifying, not just for those who experience it, but also for their family and friends.

Catrina Lowri joins Dale today for a candid discussion on her journey with bipolar 'I'm bipolar, but don't call me crazy'. Catrina starts by explaining what bipolar is and the profound impact it has had throughout her life, from her studies and career to her experiences with fertility treatment. The conversation delves into the complexities of medication management. Catrina outlines her struggles with various medications, highlighting the importance of finding the right treatment plan while managing side effects and the impact on daily life.

"I don't want to not be bipolar; I just don't want it to scare the living daylights out of me."

Catrina Lowri

Don't miss this insightful episode that sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar.

Catrina is a neurodivergent former SENCO and Advisory Teacher with a dual diagnosis of bipolar and dyslexia. She created her company; Neuroteachers to support schools and businesses with simple solutions to improve Neuro-inclusion.

www.neuroteachers.com

[email protected]

@neuroteachers

Neurodivergent Teachers Network:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1001669034065988

• 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

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 current Ofsted inspection frameworks acknowledge the vital responsibility educational leaders have for the wellbeing of their staff. However, anecdotal evidence from SENCOs in schools and settings suggests they are at particular risk of poor mental health, and that increasing workload over the pandemic has exacerbated this.

Angela Scott, Regional Lead for SEND, joins Dale again to discuss 'Reflections on how to promote positive mental health for SENCOs'. Angela tells us that gaining an awareness of the risks and protective factors linked to the role of SENCO is necessary to ensure stability and job-satisfaction within this important workforce. Angela discusses:

• What is mental health? International and national research.
• Mental health in times of crisis; for example, during a pandemic: current research.
• Mental health risks and protective factors for SENCOs
• Strategies for promoting positive mental health for SENCOs.

Listen in for a deeper understanding of mental health and to discover practical strategies that can empower SENCOs to fulfil their leadership roles in SEND while protecting their own mental well-being.

Angela Scott is the Regional Lead for SEND for the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) and is programme lead for the National Award for SEN Coordination, Advanced SENCO and SENCOs as Leaders Awards. She is steering the development of the SLCN and SEMH level 4 qualifications and is author of the transformative audit and planning tool known as aptGO; designed to help schools work within Ofsted judgements Good and Outstanding. She is a member of a number of national working groups for SEND and has created and delivered the professional development programme for the introduction of SENCOs into Hong Kong primary and secondary schools.

www.easternpartnership.co.uk

www.regionalsendforum.co.uk

[email protected]

• 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

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.

Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins me today to discuss 'it's not the what, it's the why'. Alison tells us that assumptions often arise when we focus solely on behaviour, leading to a lack of understanding.

"Actually getting to the root of what's going on rather than focusing on the bit that isn't going to change."

Alison Knowles

Alison emphasises that all behaviour serves a purpose, but merely focusing on the behaviour itself won't lead to real change. Instead, it's essential to understand why individuals engage in certain behaviours. This approach shifts our focus from symptoms to the underlying emotions and motivations that drive those actions.

She pointed out that children often resort to negative behaviours to gain attention, especially if they feel overlooked when they are behaving well. It's crucial for parents and caregivers to recognise this pattern and provide attention and validation in positive ways.

Listen to this discussion to find out the importance of understanding emotional motivations behind behaviours and the necessity for effective communication and supportive parenting.

Ali is a practising emotional therapist, author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, public speaker and creator of the Ollie Model. Ali's strength is the unique way she views the world and her instinctive ability to empower you or your child to find the solutions from within.

We recognise the uniqueness and individuality of every client we see. We know they don't fit in boxes and that labels can be very generic.

We don't take months and months to help you move on, Ollie Coaches encourage you to take charge by empowering you with our skill sets so that you can make the changes that will make all the difference to make the difference at a pace that is right for you.

We believe you have everything you need inside you. We show you how to access your immense knowledge and skills so that you can be in control of your emotions rather than being controlled by them.

You can contact me if:

• you, a member of your family, a staff member or a child in your school needs 1-2-1 emotional resilience support to overcome a limiting belief, fear or phobia, a habit you would rather not have or an emotion that is making decisions for you.

• you are interested in having us run an introductory Ollie workshop for your group, team or staff.

• you need help with conflict resolution, change management, communication breakdowns.

• if you would like more information about having an Ollie Coach in your school or having staff trained in the Ollie Model

• you would like to find out more about becoming an Ollie Coach and joining Ollie's Army.

Ollie is currently active in the corporate world, schools, universities alternative provision, foster and adoption.

https://x.com/bemoreollie

www.ollieandhisuperpowers.com

[email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers

https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers

YouTube channel

• 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

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.

Alternative Provision (AP) can often look 'fluffy' from the outside, leading to misconceptions about its true purpose. To clarify and raise awareness, Veena Virahsammy joins me to give her insight on 'Alternative Provision'. After her son faced exclusion from school, Veena established her own AP to support him and others in similar circumstances. In our conversation, she shares her experiences launching this initiative and emphasises the vital role that AP plays in education.

"All I was fighting for was for my son to have a full-time education".

Veena Virahsammy

Over the past two years Veena's Alternative Provision has grown and she now works with 30 children in 28 schools. Listen to this podcast to understand:

• The definition of Alternative Provision
• How it's more than daycare
• The challenges and realities
• Collaboration with schools
• The importance of purposeful learning

Veena's insights shed light on the complexities surrounding alternative provision and the need for a collaborative approach to better support students. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding each child's unique circumstances and addressing unmet needs.

✨ Meet Veena: a former award-winning radio presenter and YouTube marketing consultant who pivoted her career to become a qualified clinical hypnotherapist. In 2022, after her son was unlawfully suspended from his mainstream secondary school, she founded Oxford Creators – an alternative education provision dedicated to empowering children aged 8-18 at risk of exclusion or not attending school due to anxiety, mental health challenges, or special educational needs.

Veena passionately shares her journey and highlights the hidden struggles within the education system on her social media @mumtomillionaire, the name of her podcast. Join her mission to redefine the narrative for misunderstood children.

@mumtomillionaire

www.oxfordcreators.co.uk

[email protected]

@mumtomillionaire

• 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

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.

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.

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.

[email protected]

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

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.