The SENDcast

SENCOs face lots of challenges in their role, one significant one being many headteachers' lack of understanding of the role. Traditionally, becoming a headteacher followed a career pathway, progressing from teacher to deputy head, and finally to headship. During this, detailed SEND training was often overlooked which has led to an awful lot of misconceptions and lack of awareness among headteachers on the vital SENCO role. This has led to SENCOs feeling frustrated from not being heard or understood.

In today's episode, we hear from an experienced SENCO who has worked with 11 headteachers over 23 years – Lynn How. Lynn joins Dale to discuss 'Strengthening the SENCO-Headteacher Partnership'.

In the discussion we explore:

• Barriers to headteacher engagement
• Types of headteacher (broadly speaking…)
• What SENCOs want their heads to know
• Ideas to get them onside

Listen to hear practical ideas and strategies that SENCOs can implement straight away to support their relationship with their headteacher and align priorities. By bridging this knowledge gap between the roles, we can create stronger partnerships and ensure that the needs of students with SEND are met effectively.

Lynn How is an educational consultant, editor of Teacher Toolkit website and blogger.

With 20 years of primary teaching and SLT experience, she has been an Assistant Head, Lead Mentor for ITT and SENCO. She loves to write and also has her own SEMH and staff mental health blog: www.positiveyoungmind.com.

Lynn holds an MA in Education, is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching (FCCT), NASENCO and NPQH. Her particular areas of interest are wellbeing (staff and pupil), SEND, children's mental health, leadership, mentoring and coaching. Recently she has started an Educational Consultancy business for SEND (SEND support) and Teacher Wellbeing (The Wellbeing Lady). Lynn's first book, 'Starting Out As A Primary Senco', is being published by Bloomsbury in September 2024.

https://twitter.com/Positive_Y_Mind

https://www.facebook.com/PositiveYoungMind

www.positiveyoungmind.com

[email protected]

My CPD training for school leaders and adaption training for SENCOs

· 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.

From birth, we possess certain innate senses, such as touch, while others, like vision and balance, continue to develop throughout childhood and beyond. Understanding how these senses evolve and impact our daily experiences is crucial for creating an optimal learning environment.

In this episode, Kim Griffin guides us through an insightful discussion on 'Sensory Strategies' covering various aspects, including:

• the types of senses
• perception of sensory support, strategies and tools
• arousal states and their influence on learning
• regulation
• how different senses can be distracting in school
• practical approaches to support pupils in the classroom

"In terms of sensory strategies, we're thinking about anything that involves the senses that we can use to support a child to maintain their attention, focus and arousal in classrooms. So, we first want to know what senses they might be finding difficult to process."

Kim Griffin, Occupational Therapist

Listen to gain valuable tips on integrating sensory strategies into your classroom, ensuring they are accessible and successful for all pupils.

Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years' experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.

http://twitter.com/Griffin_OT/

https://www.facebook.com/GriffinSensoryOT/

http://www.griffinot.com/

[email protected]

Sensory training

Success with Sensory Supports

· 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.

There is a lot of talk about the need for reasonable adjustments and targeted support for those with SEND when it comes to school, but far less about the need for accessibility and inclusion in other aspects of life. Research shows that the rates of obesity, asthma, heart disease and many other long term negative health outcomes are significantly higher in communities and groups of the population who have a disability, whether that's a physical or a neurodivergent condition. Keeping physically active is vital to good health, but depending on a young person's needs, the options available can be extremely limited.

In light of this, Miriam Saffer a Consultant in Inclusion, Neurodiversity and Special Educational Needs, joins Dale in this episode to discuss 'How exercise is different for children with SEND and why it matters'.

Miriam highlights the barriers to engaging in sport and exercise for children and young people with SEND. These challenges range from difficulties in understanding game rules during PE lessons, to issues encountered in noisy gym environments. Exercise-based interventions for children with SEND have a wide range of benefits. By raising awareness of the need for such interventions and understanding their positive impact, we can make a significant difference in the long-term outcomes for many children and young people.

Listen to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of exercise and the benefits of sport-based interventions on physical health, emotional well-being, and long-term outcomes across all areas of SEND.

Miriam is the founder of Illuminate Inclusion, an organisation that provides a range of services for families, professionals and community organisations.

Miriam is a specialist in neurodiversity who works with a range of needs, including ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Her background is in special educational needs. She has worked extensively across primary, secondary and further education settings both as a teacher and SENCO/ALNCO.

www.illuminateinclusion.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083107280012

http://instagram.com/illuminateinclusion

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriam-saffer/

[email protected]

Blog

On-demand webinars

· 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.

A few months ago, we had an insightful episode where Clare Truman introduced and explained PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance). Today, Clare has returned to share valuable advice on how to support PDA learners. The PDA Society estimates that 70% of PDA children and young people are not currently attending school due to their needs not being adequately met. It is crucial to address this issue and provide the necessary support. Clare's expertise in this area is invaluable, and her insights can make a significant difference in the lives of PDA learners.

Clare emphasises the importance of groundwork and adapting learning methods to suit PDA learners while ensuring the safety of everyone involved. Shifting our mindset and adopting a collaborative approach is key. It is essential to reduce anxiety for individuals with a PDA profile, so providing clear instructions without overwhelming demands is vital.

During the episode, Clare shares practical tips that can greatly benefit PDA learners. Some of these include:

• Implementing a visual timetable with a pre-set list of alternatives.
• Using instruction sheets that allow space for better ideas.
• Regulating breaks to promote self-regulation.
• Teaching the learner the distinction between learning objectives and activities.
• Prioritising demands by using post-it notes.

Listen to learn more about these strategies and how by offering choices and minimising demands, we can create a supportive and inclusive environment for PDA learners.

Clare Truman is an education consultant, special education teacher and big sister to an autistic young man. From 2017 to 2019, she was director of Spectrum Space Community Interest Company; a social enterprise and alternative education provision based in Surrey which specialised in supporting autistic children who display Pathological Demand Avoidance. She now provides distance learning packages for students with PDA who find it difficult to access school. Clare is currently completing a PhD at UCL London exploring the educational experiences of PDA learners. She is author of The Teacher's Guide to Pathological Demand Avoidance: Essential Strategies for the Classroom published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

https://twitter.com/SpectrumSpaceUK

www.spectrumspace.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.

We wanted to bring your attention to an important movement called #FlipTheNarrative, which aims to shift our perspective and promote a more inclusive conversation about humanity.

In our society, there is a tendency to focus on deficits and differences when discussing individuals. However, it is crucial to reframe our thinking and recognise that at our core, we are all human beings who happen to be different. Embracing diversity is an essential part of our shared human experience, and it is time to evolve our understanding.

To delve deeper into this movement and understand its significance, we are excited to announce that Elly Chapple, the Founder of #FlipTheNarrative, joins Dale in today's episode. Elly will shed light on why it is crucial to flip the narrative, what it truly means to "be human", and how we can actively participate in this transformative process.

"We can always connect with another person, because in essence we're the same regardless of whether we've got different minds, different bodies, different life experiences. There is always a point of connection."

Elly Chapple

Understanding and embracing this point of connection can help us build a more inclusive society. By directing our energy away from infighting and division, we can create a space where everyone feels valued and respected.

Elly graduated with honours in Human Resource Management and the Psychology of Human Communication. She has always been fascinated with human communication and behaviour, both verbal and non-verbal. She spent her early career working in businesses, managing, and developing strategy for solutions focused approaches and building and maintaining relationships with clients.

Elly co-authored with Dr Wendy Thorley and Ruth Whiteside, the book 'Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs: Why all the fuss?' in 2019 to bring about including Institutional ACEs. She trains nationally in many spaces, working with well-known charities, and companies, the NHS and colleagues in social care and education. Elly also regularly presents key notes on why we need to #FlipTheNarrative within our whole human space and experience. Elly has campaigned for several years via social media with the hashtag #FlipTheNarrative to change outdated approaches that seek to dehumanise people with perceived 'differences'. Elly's drive is to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table, regardless of difference and she shared the story at TEDx NorwichEd. She is currently stepping into the corporate world of business to grow the journey with Being Human.

https://twitter.com/elly_chapple

www.candoella.com

[email protected]

TEDx Talk

LinkedIn

· 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 that this podcast contains very strong and offensive language and discussion that some listeners may find upsetting*

Last summer, Rosie Jones' documentary aired on Channel 4 and with it followed great controversy on the title. Rosie Jones is a comedian with Cerebral Palsy and she created the thought-provoking documentary based on her experiences and to raise awareness of the abuse she has endured over the years because of her disability.

Joanna Grace joins Dale today to discuss the documentary and its profound impact. Joanna highlights a concerning trend where historical terms used to refer to individuals with intellectual disabilities are considered commonplace, while racist or sexist comments are deemed unacceptable.

Ableist language seems to be more tolerable and less serious in society's eyes and Joanna emphasises that society fails to give ableist language the same level of importance as it does to other forms of prejudice faced by marginalised communities.

Listen to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of Rosie Jones' documentary and the importance of challenging ableist language and prejudices.

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.

https://twitter.com/Jo3Grace

www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk

[email protected]

LinkedIn

Facebook

· 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.

When schemes and policies control every aspect of a teacher's week to improve efficiency, it can unintentionally strip away what makes teachers unique—their quirks, passion, and individual personalities. This focus on efficiency, conformity, and standardisation stands in stark contrast to the ideals of pedagogy and can have a detrimental effect on children, young people, and their dedicated teachers.

"Teachers are not challenged to think for themselves and teachers often really flourish when they do, and so do their learners".

Rachel Lofthouse

In our latest episode, Rachel Lofthouse, Professor of Teacher Education and Director of CollectivED joins Dale to introduce the new concept 'the pedagogy of professional decline'. Rachel describes the phrase as – both classroom practices and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) which reduce agency, neglect expertise, drive conformity, narrow opportunities, damage relationships. It is the opposite of helping learners flourish.

Rachel highlights that one of the symptoms of pedagogy of professional decline is that we aren't creating very sophisticated learners. We're creating learners who can be successful in a certain type of task as opposed to wide-ranging tasks. Listen to hear insights into its characteristics and how and why to challenge it.

Rachel Lofthouse is Professor of Teacher Education at Leeds Beckett University and founder of CollectivED The Centre for Coaching, Mentoring, Supervision and Professional Learning. She has worked in education for over 30 years and has maintained a keen interest in understanding and enabling professional learning at all career stages and across education sectors. She has a specific research expertise in mentoring and coaching and has regularly published in this area for 20 years. Her current extended interests include developing practices to support a more sustainable education profession and more inclusive schools, and she is participating in EU funded projects on these areas.

@DrRLofthouse @CollectivED1

https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research/collectived/

[email protected]

Carnegie School of Education Blog

Taking a stand against the pedagogy of professional decline 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.

Do you know what is involved in being a MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) SEND leader?

To shed light on this role, our special guest, Simon Tanner, joins Dale in today's episode to explore 'MAT SEND Leadership'. Simon, the National Director of SEND for E-ACT, brings a wealth of experience, having spent a decade as an accomplished SENCO and six years as a MAT leader for SEND. His expertise lies in developing effective SEND practices across multiple MATs and leading SEND and MAT SEND reviews nationwide.

During our conversation, we delve into various aspects of effective MAT SEND leadership, including:

• Working for a Multi-Academy Trust
• The role of a SEND leader within the MAT
• The importance of data
• Scaling projects and interventions across multiple schools
• Assurance in SEND provision
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for both individual academies and the entire trust
• School improvement strategies
• Collaboration is key

Listen to hear how the MAT SEND leader offers support to the lone SENCO and provides a strategic overview of SEND provision.

Simon is National Director of SEND for E-ACT. With 10 years as an experienced SENDCo and 6 as a MAT leader for SEND, Simon has developed effective SEND practice across multiple MATs and lead on SEND and MAT SEND reviews across the country.

Simon Co-chairs the MAT SEND Leaders group which he established with Dr Nicola Crossly (Liberty Trust). The group currently have over 100 MAT leaders of SEND and collaborate with Whole Education. Simon is a mentor on Whole Educations MAT SEND leaders programme which last year supported over 250 academies across England and is now moving into its second cohort.

Simon regularly presents at National conferences and was part of EDUKEYs Provision map series in 2020-2021 and TEXTHELPs festivals of education between 2021-2023.

http://x.om/simontanner_sen

https://www.e-act.org.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.

For children and adults with physical disabilities, the inability to fully participate and engage with their peers can be a significant challenge. However, through innovative advancements in technology, we have the opportunity to make gaming more accessible, ultimately changing lives across the globe.

We have a new special guest in today's episode with Nomi Gallagher joining Dale to discuss 'Making Gaming More Accessible'. Nomi is a Specialist Occupational Therapist at SpecialEffect and she highlights the benefits of gaming.

Nomi shares remarkable stories of how gaming has been adapted to accommodate physical challenges. By incorporating switches/joysticks, EyeGaze technology, and voice control, gamers with disabilities can now enjoy the benefits of gaming in ways previously unimaginable. These adaptations provide them with a level playing field, where their disability no longer holds them back from participating fully. The online gaming world offers a unique space where individuals can escape and interact with others on their own terms, free from limitations and judgment.

Listen to hear how gaming fosters inclusivity, granting individuals with disabilities the freedom to explore new experiences, connect with others and express themselves.

Nomi is a specialist OT working for the charity SpecialEffect. She works with the Loan Library team helping those with physical disabilities to access video games. Her role includes initial discussions, visits (remote and occasionally in-person) to work out the best equipment options to meet the Gamer's needs. The goal of the Loan Library team is to find a comfortable, safe gaming set up which make the most of a person's abilities.

@SpecialEffect

www.specialeffect.org.uk

[email protected]

Case study - Tiago who uses physical joysticks and switches

Case study - Becky who uses EyeMine

Case study - Helen who uses voice controls

SpecialEffect Game Access site (for latest R&D updates)

Amazing story of Mats "Ibelin" Steen

· 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.

We are delighted to welcome Arran Smith, Event Director and Founder, on The SENDcast.

Arran joins Dale for this special episode highlighting what's on at the 3rd Dyslexia Show on 15 - 16 March in Birmingham and why you should be there!

"We want people to be able to talk about Dyslexia and for people to talk about it in a positive way to change people's lives; whether you're in Education, a Parent, in the Workplace or an Individual."

Arran Smith

SUPPORTING THE UK'S NATIONAL EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO DYSLEXIA AND NEURODIVERSITY

The SENDcast are delighted to be supporting The Dyslexia Show 2024 as a show partner! The show is the UK's leading exhibition dedicated to dyslexia and neurodiversity.

The primary aim of the Dyslexia Show is to empower and provide understanding to those with dyslexia and neurodiversity. It strives to foster a deeper insight into the various ways in which education, parents, the workplace, and individuals themselves can offer support and awareness.

Attend the show to connect with the community, learn and be inspired by speakers in the seminar sessions and feature zones, and discover the latest in products, services and technologies from the exhibitors.

Dale, the host of the SENDcast will be at the show so if you're planning on attending, pop by and say hi!

We look forward to seeing you at the NEC Birmingham on the 15th – 16th March 2024.

Register Free

· 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.