As you know, SENCOs play a crucial role in supporting students with special educational needs, and they often find themselves in the firing line when dealing with parental issues. Despite their kindness and empathy, SENCOs (and teachers in general) are not always equipped with specific training in this area, which poses a significant challenge.

To shed light on this topic, Lynn How joins Dale to share valuable insights and tips for working effectively with parents. In this episode, Lynn explores;

• the reasons why this challenge is a recurring issue for SENCOs
• barriers to parental engagement
• parental perspectives of schools and SENCOs
• reframing the notion of "hard to reach" parents
• practical tips for navigating challenging conversations with parents

Listen for actionable insights to strengthen parent-school partnerships, leading to improved outcomes for students with SEND.

"Remaining positive is a massive part of the role. If I can get parents to leave the meeting at least smiling about something then that's a bonus."

Lynn How, Educational Consultant

About Lynn How

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.

Contact Lynn

https://twitter.com/Positive_Y_Mind

https://www.facebook.com/PositiveYoungMind

www.positiveyoungmind.com

[email protected]

Useful Links

Lynn's CPD training for school leaders and adaption training for SENCOs

Want to hear more from Lynn?

Lynn recently joined us in the SENDcast Sessions studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:

1. SENCO wellbeing: Don't just survive – thrive! 2. SENCO action planning – where to start when the issues seem so big

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

· 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.