The SENDcast

Children are not making as much progress communicating as they could be and are losing out on their ability to gain independence and autonomy. The failures in communication can lead to a lower expectation or achievement in academic and social areas. I'm excited to welcome Kerry Thalia to the podcast to discuss 'Effective use of visuals to aid communication.' This is Kerry's first podcast with the SENDcast, and we explore how we use visuals everyday with SEND, and more widely in teaching. Visual aids are invaluable tools, but all too often, they are treated as mere checkboxes instead of being utilised to genuinely enhance communication. This approach can inadvertently lead to underestimating an individual's abilities, causing missed opportunities for growth and development. This episode offers valuable insights on: How visuals are often misused or misrepresented The importance of the hierarchy of communication How we determine the best visuals for a person with SEND Effective use of the chosen visuals day to day Use of targets with appropriate progress Effective education of parents and guardians Communication between home and school By listening to this episode, you will gain a deeper understanding of how visuals can be harnessed to unlock the potential of children, bridging communication gaps and fostering a supportive learning environment. About Kerry Thalia 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. Contact Kerry https://discoverinclusion.co.uk/ info@discoverinclusion.co.uk https://x.com/DiscoverIncl Useful Links Discover Inclusion Training Bumper Book of Creative Learning Access to Academic Learning Conference (October 2024) Cough Drop AAC National Autistic Society, overview of visual supports and communication tools 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 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.

We have become victims to the "norm" and we doubt our self-worth based on external benchmarks such as houses, cars, grades, clothes. Parenting is around your child doing better than the next or behaving the way they do and not necessarily celebrating their uniqueness. Alison Knowles returns today to discuss 'Looking and trusting inside rather than looking for solutions externally'. Alison explores the reasons why we aren't trusting our judgement and why we're basing our sense of self on others' achievements. Asking for advice is healthy, but the problem arises when you're constantly seeking validation, rather than trusting our ability to evaluate the information and decide what's right for us. During the discussion we delve into: The deep-seated desire to belong The impact of media Why you should trust your gut Feeling judged The habit of mind reading and making assumptions The pressure of conforming to societal norms of success You need to listen to yourself Being brave enough to back ourselves Listen to this empowering discussion and learn how to trust your inner voice! About Alison Knowles Ali is a practising emotional therapist, author of the Ollie and his Super Powers series of books, public speaker, NLP trainer 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. Contact Alison ollieandhisuperpowers.com info@ollieandhissuperpowers.com https://twitter.com/bemoreollie Useful Links YouTube - Ollie and his super powers 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 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.

When it comes to zones of regulation, often they're not fully understood or correctly used in schools with the assumption that they are good or bad. Kim Griffin joins Dale today to shed light on this misconception! Green = good Red = bad In today's podcast 'Zones of regulation', Kim provides clarity and insights on this important topic as she: Explains the zones and their original purpose Summarises information from a book about the zones Reflects on personal experiences Considers how schools use them Raises awareness that not all children feel emotions in the exact same way Discusses research findings "At the end of the day, you're trying to support self-regulation and that is trying to support levels of arousal or alertness in the body." Kim Griffin By understanding zones of regulation, we can better educate children on how to keep themselves safe and how to avoid triggers. About Kim Griffin 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. Contact Kim www.GriffinOT.com Training@GriffinOT.com https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT Want to hear more from Kim? A few weeks ago, Kim joined Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions: Understanding and supporting dyspraxia Success with sensory supports at school Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school. Useful Links Official website Systematic review on ZOR An alternative: Feel it Change it 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 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.

Today we are celebrating the release of our 200th episode of the podcast! To mark this special occasion, we have invited some of our past guests back to record an episode focused on the important topic of 'school attendance'. Suzy Rowland, Sarah-Jane Critchley and Fintan O'Regan join me, not only will you hear our familiar voices, but you'll also see us live as we have video recorded the episode for the first time! The controversial DfE campaign "Attendance Matters" received criticism and trivialised some of the complex reasons why children may not attend school. It failed to adequately address the challenges faced by students with SEND or those with mental health issues. Did you know that 92% of those non-attending are neurodivergent and 83.4% are autistic? The assumption that the best place for ALL children to be is in school – but is it when their needs aren't being met? In this episode we explore various aspects of non-attendance including; zero tolerance, bullying, systems and policies, self-determination theory and much more. "These are really serious, complicated, complex issues that, in a way, lumping it all together as 'school non-attendance' doesn't even begin to explain some of the nuances of what's happening in individual families." Suzy Rowland Thank you for your continued support of the podcast! I'd be really interested in hearing what you thought of the video – so if you end up watching it please let me know what you think! About Sarah-Jane Critchley Sarah-Jane Critchley is passionate about helping autistic people, their families, friends and supporters live happier lives of their own choosing. She is the internationally recognised author of 'A Different Joy: The Parents' Guide to Living Better with Autism, Dyslexia, ADHD and More...'. and contributor to two titles on autism and girls. She wrote an 'Introduction to Autism' for AC Education to support adoptive and foster parents. She is an international keynote speaker. For over 10 years (2008-1018), Sarah-Jane managed the Autism Education Trust working to improve educational provision for young people with autism. She was instrumental in the development, monitoring and management of the award-winning training programme that reached over 207,000 education-based staff in the UK and adapting the AET's highly successful training programme to meet the local context in Italy and Greece. She worked with stakeholders to produce guidance on exam accommodations and exclusions. Sarah-Jane holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in the management of change from London's City University. She is a mother to two autistic teenagers (a late-diagnosed girl and a boy) and an autistic husband and lives with two cats. About Fintan O'Regan MA, PGCE BSc He was the Headteacher of the Centre Academy from 1996 -2002, which was the first specialist school in the UK for students between the ages of 7-19 specialising in issues related to ADHD, ASD and ODD. He is an associate lecturer for Leicester University, the National Association of Special Needs, the Institute of Education, the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the former Vice Chairman of the UK ADHD Network and of the European ADHD Alliance. Fintan now works as trainer and consultant for schools and school support systems including, Social Services, Health, the Police and Foster carers with regards to providing behaviour management strategies for children and families struggling with SEND and behaviour issues. About Suzy Rowland Suzy Rowland is the author of S.E.N.D. in the Clowns, a poetry collection and "I can't go to school!" – a children's workbook for school non-attenders, an ADHD & Autism Spectrum Condition Specialist, Mindful Cognitive Behaviour Therapist & Speaker. She founded the #happyinschool project to provide interactive, bespoke training and consultancy, rooted in lived experience. In this capacity, she works as an agent of change with families and young people, mental health professionals, educators, local authorities, charitable and corporate organisations, to build knowledge, connections and positive narratives about educating and employing neurodivergent thinkers. Suzy is also a presenter for Women's LIK UltravisionTV. Contact Sarah-Jane, Fintan or Suzy Fintan - www.fintanoregan.com fjmoregan@aol.com https://x.com/fintanorega Sarah-Jane - www.differentjoy.com sarah-jane@differentjoy.com https://x.com/SarahJaneCritch https://www.instagram.com/sarahjanecritchley Suzy - www.happyinschoolproject.com hello@happyinschoolproject.com https://twitter.com/schoolhappyin https://www.instagram.com/happyinschool/ https://www.facebook.com/happyinschool Useful Links BBC news article 'Government school attendance campaign criticised by parents' Book: I can't go to school by Suzy Rowland 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk 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.

The Children's Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice (2015) placed great emphasis on the use of person-centred approaches. The concept was embraced but without necessarily being fully explored and accurately interpreted. There is a level of confusion in some schools and settings about how to effectively implement person-centred practices without fully understanding the underlying principles. For SENCOs in particular, these approaches have often become overly bureaucratised. In this week's episode, Angela Scott joins Dale to discuss 'Person-Centred Approaches: clarity or confusion?'. Angela explores person-centred approaches covering: Concept confusion between pupil voice, pupil participation, pupil engagement and person-centred approaches. Unpicking each to ensure effective use of all. The history and key principles of person-centred approaches. What person-centred approaches can mean for children and young people with SEND and for their families and teachers. Person-centred approaches and potential links to current thinking about metacognition and self-regulation Supporting person-centred approaches through pedagogy and practical tools. Listen to gain a stronger understanding of person-centred approaches to drive positive outcomes for pupils with SEND. About Angela Scott 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. Contact Angela easternpartnership.co.uk regionalsendforum.co.uk Easternp.send@hertsforlearning.co.uk Useful Links Chapter 11 - Person-Centred Approaches by Angela Scott · 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk · 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.

Everyone knows about phonics/phonology as it's high on the national agenda for intervention currently, but it doesn't always work. A lot of SENCOs, especially in secondary, are feeling trapped by phonics and Ofsted feeling they don't have permission to try a new approach. Teachers are also frustrated that they are just being told to do the same thing over and over. Our new special guest, Louise Selby, joins Dale today to delve into the fascinating world of 'Morphology'. Louise explains that the English language is made up of 3 systems: phonology, morphology and etymology. Did you know that 80% of our words are made up of morphemes? "Morphology is those prefixes, suffixes and roots. Those units of meaning in words which are such an integral part of our language." Louise Selby, Dyslexia Specialist Louise explains the 3 systems and breaks down word examples and highlights that phonic rules don't always help: Shouted Phonic = sh + ou + t + i + d Morphological = shout + -ed Louise highlights that research shows that a meaning-based approach with morphology can be effective in intervention and teaching literacy. Join us as we explore the significance of morphology and its potential to transform literacy learning for all children. Listening to this episode will provide valuable insights into how morphology can unlock language skills, nurturing both comprehension and confidence. About Louise Selby Louise worked as a specialist advisory teacher in Hertfordshire Local Authority for 11 years, where she gained extensive experience in training teaching assistants and SENCOs in meeting the needs of learners with specific learning difficulties. Before this, Louise worked as a class teacher and SENCO in the primary sector and also as a teacher of learners with English as an Additional Language. She now works freelance in advising, training and supporting schools as well as assessing for specific learning difficulties (dyslexia). Louise's interest is in enabling and equipping staff in schools at grass roots level to meet learners' needs. Contact Louise https://twitter.com/louiseselby21 http://facebook.com/LouiseSelbyDyslexia https://louiseselbydyslexia.com/ louise@louiseselbydyslexia.com Useful Links Louise's book - Morph Mastery · 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk · 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.

Dr. Helen Ross, dyslexia expert and consultant, joined Dale this week in what they had planned to be a discussion on dyslexia and mental health. However, their conversation took an unexpected turn, leading them on a meandering path through various topics and reflections on life. They therefore decided to call the episode 'Whole life mental health meanderings'. During this lively discussion, Helen and Dale ended up reflecting on their lives which took them all over the place – from labels, Helen's projects, and parental expectations to period pains and their own life journeys. The essence of their conversation centred around the idea that there is no one-size-fits-all template for life. They dove into the concept that imperfections and failures can lead to unexpected and sometimes even more fulfilling outcomes. Dr. Helen Ross captured our meandering journey with this analogy; "Sometimes you forget to put the eggs in your cake, and it doesn't matter because you end up with slop, and it tastes good." While their discussion may have deviated from the original topic of dyslexia and mental health, the insights shared in this episode are valuable and relatable. Life is a complex journey, and it's essential to find what works for us individually, even if it means veering off the expected path. About Dr Helen Ross Dr Helen Ross is a fully qualified special needs teacher and former SENCO, working as an independent educational research consultant, specialist assessor and SEND expert. Helen is a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association, Chair of the Wiltshire Dyslexia Association and is on the board of the US, not-for profit National Coalition of Independent Scholars. She has consulted for the British Dyslexia Association, The Committee for Science and Technology (part of the UK Government), and Wiltshire Local Authority. She also works internationally with various third sector and commercial organisations with evaluation, consultancy and resource development. Helen's research explores stakeholder experiences of SEND provision within the mainstream education sector, focussing on the empowerment of those supporting young people, to help them to take ownership of their own learning. She uses her findings from research to inform her own practice and to support other practitioner in their own work, through CPD webinars and live sessions. Contact Helen https://twitter.com/drhelenross https://www.facebook.com/drhelenross http://helensplace.co.uk/ helen@helensplace.co.uk Useful Links The make up of neurodiversity Mary Colley style · 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk · 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.

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 Lynn@positiveyoungmind.com 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk · 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.

Sensory specialist Joanna Grace discusses the impact of senses on mental health, emphasizing how sensory experiences can affect emotions, eating habits, and overall well-being. She highlights the significance of creating sensory-friendly environments for individuals with different sensory capacities, particularly those who are neurodivergent. The podcast explores the connection between senses, emotions, and mental health, providing valuable insights on supporting individuals' sensory needs for enhanced well-being.

We've all heard of Occupational Therapists – but do we truly understand the breadth and depth of their role? Kim Griffin has been an OT for over 20 years and joins Dale for today's podcast 'What is an OT?'. Kim sheds light on the history of the profession, explains how the name was derived and how it can specialise in different areas; such as working with children, adults, mental health, SEND, orthopaedics and so on. An OT's role can support people across their lifespan! Kim specialises in paediatrics and has extensive experience working with SEND children within schools. During the podcast, I ask Kim the below questions: What should a school use an OT for? What are the areas that OTs support in schools? Starting with the EHCP. How much work do you get to put in with the teachers? How can schools really maximise what they get from their OT? What do you need to ask for when buying in private OT time? "If the lesson is too hard for them, no amount of movement break or sensory circuit or weighted blanket is going to help that child access the lesson." Kim Griffin Listen to get a deeper understanding of the OT role and how you can maximise their contributions within your school to support your students. About Kim Griffin 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. Contact Kim https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT http://www.GriffinOT.com https://www.facebook.com/GriffinSensoryOT/ Useful Links Description of OT by Kim Fidget toys · 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk · 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.