The SENDcast

School applications are fast approaching so here's a podcast to help parents and carers choose the right school for their child. Choosing schools can be an overwhelming and emotional time for parents/carers and they might not be sure what to look for or how to compare the pros and cons of different settings. Sometimes the general information shared at open mornings / on school tours does not feel personalised enough to help them to understand if the school might be able to support their child's additional needs. Sarah Billingham joins Dale for this week's episode 'Choosing a school' where we discuss things that need to be taken into consideration and questions to ask when visiting schools. Sarah provides some fantastic advice to help parents/carers make the right decision, at the right time for their children. About Sarah Billingham Sarah Billingham is a specialist teacher, she runs Confident Kids, a unique Early Years service. She equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need to offer their little people the very best communication support they can. Sarah has been working with children with speech and language needs for over 16 years in mainstream and specialist settings. Sarah has recently decided to focus on Confident Kids full time. She most recently ran a multi-disciplinary assessment centre for children with SLCN in the charity sector. In 2020 & 2021 she ran an online focus week for parents and practitioners sharing videos on supporting young children transitioning into school (or back into school following lockdown). Contact Sarah Billingham Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk Email - www.confidentkids.co Facebook - www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co Useful Links www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

The impact a traumatic event has on a person can be significant and lifelong. The experience is different for each and every person. Alison Knowles joins Dale for today's emotive podcast 'Trauma', which discusses traumatic life events, such as loss, so may be a trigger. We can't change what happened but we can change how we feel about it now. Reliving an event will only take you back to that event time and time again. If we can reframe the emotion that we attach to that event we can stop it hurting us again and again. Alison takes us through how to give a safe space for someone to voice what's going on without judgement. Some great tips we can all takeaway and implement to not only support children through traumatic experiences, but also our friends and family. Listen to find out how to help change the emotions and beliefs following trauma and help them to move on. 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 Knowles Website - www.ollieandhisuperpowers.com Email - Ali@subconquest.co.uk or info@ollieandhissuperpowers.com Twitter - @bemoreollie Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers Useful Links https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers https://twitter.com/bemoreollie https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDj-PRjboIg2cu-KZsEMVA https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers https://www.ollieandhissuperpowers.com/

Welcome back, hope you had a great Summer and now ready for everything this term brings. The first podcast for this school year starts with 'Let's use technology with students' with Arran Smith. How much tech do you use? It is everywhere in the world, but not in schools. "We still have a 21st century intake of students to a 19th century education system and we haven't really moved on enough." Arran joins Dale to discuss using technology to remove barriers to progress and to help prepare students for their future. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world and when we look at education we need to make sure children use it early on. Listen to find out what free resources you can use in your classroom and how technology can support and empower your students, especially those with SEND. About Arran Smith When Arran was aged 9 he was diagnosed with dyslexia. He uses the metaphor that dyslexia is like going to the dentist, well that's how it was for him all the way until he was 14. This was the age when he realised that dyslexia is a difference, not a disadvantage. During Arran's working life he has worked in many industries. He has worked in youth work, retail business and the not-for-profit sector. Arran has worked within the dyslexia sector for over 15 years. He is chairman of the Leicestershire Dyslexia Association and previously worked and volunteered for the British Dyslexia Association in varied roles. Despite Arran being severely dyslexic Arran uses technology to support his needs and without technology, he would not be doing what he is doing today. Useful Links Virtual SEND Conference - www.virtualsendconference.com The Dyslexia Show (was the 20th and 21st of March 2020, but has been postponed) - www.dyslexiashow.co.uk Contacting Arran Website: www.sendgroup.co.uk Email: arran.smith@sendgroup.co.uk Twitter: @arrandyslexia

We are ending the school year with Joanna Grace who joins Dale to discuss Eating the Senses. Eating is such an emotive subject and the difficulties people with sensory differences have around eating cause enormous stress and upset at home and at school. Listen to understand the sensory components of eating and find out how to support children to ensure the sensory experience isn't so overwhelming. About Joanna Grace 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. Contact Joanna Grace Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk Email - sensorystory@gmail.com Twitter - @Jo3Grace Facebook - www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP Useful Links Aside from the obvious, my son's book My Mummy is Autistic, I have a FREE training series on YouTube aimed at mainstream SENCOs (but it has been accessed far more widely than that) that explores issues that crop up in schools around autistic students https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1RQR58BHnW5LtJfD0Ph-RIH7EhnrP3t My facebook is also a resource for insight into neurodivergence, with the photo albums acting as resource banks: www.facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP people are welcome to connect with me, and my LinkedIn profile has many free to access articles that I have written on the topic of neurodiversity www.LinkedIn.com/In/JoannaGraceTheSensoryProjects

Anxiety levels have increased and learning practical solutions for decreasing anxiety results in happier, healthier children. Mindfulness is a great tool to use in classrooms to do this by pausing, recognising surroundings and bringing everyone into the present moment. In this week's episode Katie White, Embodied Wellness Practitioner, joins Dale to discuss making mindfulness fun. It doesn't have to be complicated and Katie takes us through: - the benefits of mindfulness - how mindfulness doesn't always need to be about sitting still and focusing on the breath, how it can - be incorporated in play, games and creativity - moving beyond words and into embodiment - cultivating your own playful nature, so you feel confident when playfully supporting children Listen to find out how you can integrate fun mindfulness activities in your classroom. About Katie White Katie is an Embodied Wellness Practitioner and founder of The Best Medicine. She specialises in laughter and playfulness; teaching interactive games, practical strategies and mindfulness based tools that help to reduce stress and anxiety. Contact Katie White Website - https://thebestmedicine.co.uk/ Twitter - @bestmedicine1 Facebook - @bestmedicinecornwall Useful Links Superpower Bootcamp - https://the-best-medicine.teachable.com/p/superpower-bootcamp-intermediate Parenta Blogs - https://www.parenta.com/2021/05/01/a-playful-approach-to-difficult-emotions/

Listening is a fundamental skill to be able to develop language and to access learning in the classroom. There are a number of foundation skills which build a child's ability to listen in the classroom. We spend a lot of time expecting or telling children to listen, but do they actually know what 'listening' is? Sarah Billingham joins Dale in this week's episode to discuss helping children to listen. This podcast is one that everyone can relate to whether it's children not listening to parents or partners not listening to each other. We discuss the factors that can impact the ability to listen such as distractions, emotional state and surroundings. Listen to understand what good listening is and how to listen. Find out the elements that help children to listen and various strategies to be able to support their listening. About Sarah Billingham Sarah Billingham is a specialist teacher, she runs Confident Kids, a unique Early Years service. She equips parents, carers and practitioners with expert knowledge and the practical tools they need to offer their little people the very best communication support they can. Sarah has been working with children with speech and language needs for over 16 years in mainstream and specialist settings. Sarah has recently decided to focus on Confident Kids full time. She most recently ran a multi-disciplinary assessment centre for children with SLCN in the charity sector. In 2020 & 2021 she ran an online focus week for parents and practitioners sharing videos on supporting young children transitioning into school (or back into school following lockdown). Contact Sarah Billingham Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk Email - www.confidentkids.co Facebook - www.facebook.com/confidentkids.co Useful Links www.facebook.com/groups/ConfidentTransitions

Phonics have been around for years and are successful, BUT they don't work for all pupils, and they aren't the only way to teach reading. Only 75% of children leave KS1 able to read well enough to access KS2 effectively (91% passed the phonic screen by Y2) * The ultimate goal is for children to have a bank of words in their long-term memory that they can read fluently when they see them, and phonics is a part of that journey. If you don't 'get phonics' by the end of year one the chances of phonics supporting reading attainment by the end of KS1, no matter how much quality Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) is provided, is slim. Charlie Pitt Miller joins Dale for today's podcast to discuss 'Reading, Phonics and the Dyslexic Profile'. Charlie takes us through the characteristics of persistent literacy difficulties and how they are a barrier to applying phonic knowledge. Listen to this episode to support your pupils with additional needs to become successful readers. *gov.uk Phonics screening check and key stage 1 assessments in England 2019 About Charlie Miller From the start of Charlie Miller's career in 1991, SEN has been foremost; she trained for a BEd in Sheffield 87-91, and was a SENCO from 2002-2012. She is currently a specialist assessor and advisory teacher - mainly advising on identification of needs and next steps for learning for children with SEN – including dyslexia / dyscalculia. She constantly questions the impact of phonics and how it jars against the characteristics of dyslexia, and often checks in on data linked to phonics and reading attainment. Her 2015 MA professional enquiry and research led to the development of the Top Triangle Reading Intervention for children who have not responded well to phonics and have disengaged from learning to read. Contact Charlie Pitt Miller Email - cpm@charliepittmiller-dyslexiaassessment.co.uk Useful Links 2019 Reading / Phonics end KS1 data https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/851296/Phonics_screening_check_and_key_stage_1_assessments_in_England_2019.pdf 2019 Reading / Phonics end KS2 data https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830285/KS2_Provisional_publication_text_2019.pdf The Reading Framework (2021) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-reading-framework-teaching-the-foundations-of-literacy Reading Wars or Reading Reconciliation – Alison Bradbury; Dominic Wyse (2022) https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/rev3.3314 Top Triangle Reading Intervention- not a published intervention - being edited to stand alone … and piloted – not yet available except in Leicestershire schools. Happy to share when final edit available.

Our senses are fascinating. A particularly interesting area to explore is the development of the sensory systems and how this effects cognition, engagement and mental health. Today, Joanna Grace joins Dale for our 100th episode to discuss Sensory Development and Sensory Engagement. Having an understanding of sensory development can help you to connect with those who have profound disabilities. It can be another tool in the tool kit of a sensory detective, working out why a particular sensation bothers some but not others. Listen to hear the impact sensory stimulation has on development and the difference in sensory experiences for neurodiverse and neurotypical people. This insightful podcast gives you a useful lens through which to view classroom design. About Joanna Grace 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. Contact Joanna Grace Website - www.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk Email - sensorystory@gmail.com Twitter - @Jo3Grace Facebook - www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP Useful Links Aside from the obvious, my son's book My Mummy is Autistic, I have a FREE training series on YouTube aimed at mainstream SENCOs (but it has been accessed far more widely than that) that explores issues that crop up in schools around autistic students https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLi1RQR58BHnW5LtJfD0Ph-RIH7EhnrP3t My facebook is also a resource for insight into neurodivergence, with the photo albums acting as resource banks: www.facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP people are welcome to connect with me, and my LinkedIn profile has many free to access articles that I have written on the topic of neurodiversity www.LinkedIn.com/In/JoannaGraceTheSensoryProjects

Trigger warning – this podcast discusses self-harm which is a difficult subject, but has never been more important to address. Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences. They may feel a short-term sense of release but the cause of the distress is unlikely to have gone away. In this emotive podcast Alison Knowles joins me to discuss 'What drives our youngsters to self-harm'. During the conversation we talk about why children are self-harming in all its forms, including eating disorders. Listen to the podcast to find out how to: identify the signs spot the difference between a cry for help and a fad/trend support children to allow them to deal with their emotions use techniques and approaches used in therapy to help For support contact Mind 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 Knowles Website - www.ollieandhisuperpowers.com Email - Ali@subconquest.co.uk or info@ollieandhissuperpowers.com Twitter - @bemoreollie Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers Useful Links https://www.facebook.com/OllieandhisSuperPowers https://twitter.com/bemoreollie https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWDj-PRjboIg2cu-KZsEMVA https://www.instagram.com/ollie_and_his_super_powers https://www.ollieandhissuperpowers.com/

Are you one of those making their annual pilgrimage to WHSmith to choose your new diary? Gone are the days of having to lug a filing cabinet's worth of paperwork to each meeting or locating the right USB. We are all creatures of habit but there's no better time to make the move to digital, otherwise you risk getting left behind. Ginny Bootman joins Dale in this week's episode 'Paperless SENCO' to take us through her journey as a SENCO from being paper heavy to become paperless. This podcast will unpick simple ways to save your time and make everything run more smoothly in your SENCO world. Listen to hear easy ways to slimline systems and help others become part of the data collection process when completing HNF or EHCP. About Ginny Bootman 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. Contact Ginny Bootman Website – www.ginnybootman.com Twitter – @sencogirl For more podcast episodes from the SENDcast click below… https://sendcast.wpengine.com/sendcast-episodes/ Useful Links