Many children with additional needs face challenges when it comes to getting their hair cut. It can be an incredibly stressful experience for everyone involved, despite the fact that haircuts are a necessity for everyone. Getting a haircut can overwhelm the senses, with numerous challenges such as, the apron/cloth, noise from clippers, music, lighting, smells etc. Children are taught not to interact with strangers, yet they find themselves in a situation where a stranger is standing in their per...
Aug 24, 2023•56 min
Why do we dread starting a new job? Why do we not like going to the in-laws for Christmas? Why do we not look forward to Monday morning? As humans, we tend to approach new events or situations with caution or even negativity. This is because our brains have a natural tendency to protect us from uncertainty and potential harm. Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins Dale in this episode to discuss 'How our brains project our past'. Alison explains that if there is a gap in our knowledge or exp...
Aug 17, 2023•56 min
Behaviour is communication, it doesn't just come out of nowhere and is only the tip of the iceberg. With more than 40 pupils being excluded daily for behaviour-related problems, it is evident that the system is not effectively addressing the issue. We have another new guest speaker this week, Adele Bates a Behaviour and Education Specialist! Adele joins Dale to discuss 'Engaging Pupils with SEMH and other behaviour needs'. It requires a tailored approach that takes into account the individual ne...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 9 min
We are seeing a significant rise in the number of diagnoses and SEN registers growing, but these values don't always correlate. This has left schools and teachers feeling concerned about the increased workload and inadequate support from their local authorities and the government. The increased prevalence of named conditions and acronyms in SEN has left many teachers feeling uncertain about their ability to work with these students. Teacher workload is a major contributor to stress and is exacer...
Aug 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min
There is a common narrative which reflects far too many parents' experiences that, in order to get the support their child needs, parents need to be prepared to fight. However, this not only increases stress levels but also decreases the likelihood of achieving the best outcomes for their child. While it may seem impossible to work collaboratively in some situations, in many cases, parents can advocate calmly and confidently while working effectively with the team supporting their child. Jodie W...
Jul 27, 2023•52 min
Local Authorities are seeing unprecedented demand for Education Health & Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) and as a result are struggling to keep up. The situation is further complicated by many parents requesting EHCPs, but not receiving them due to refusals from authorities, leaving schools caught in the crossfire. As a result, there is widespread confusion among schools and parents about this area. Amanda Sokell, Advocate and Neurodiversity Trainer, joins Dale for her first episode to discuss...
Jul 20, 2023•53 min
Having a goal can often feel like you're standing at the foot of the mountain looking up to the peak, wondering how on earth you're going to get there. It can feel daunting, impossible and a struggle to get there, with many people not getting past the first step. This week Alison Knowles, Emotional Therapist, joins Dale to discuss 'Goal setting – how to make dreams a reality'. Alison tells us that goals are merely dreams until you take that first step to achieving them. Alison breaks down goal s...
Jul 13, 2023•48 min
We all know the benefits of exercise. But as we look at the world around us, the opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise is extremely limited. Playgrounds, swimming pools, climbing walls, trampoline parks etc are all great facilities for children to exercise, build confidence, improve balance and coordination. Many now provide sessions for children with additional needs. However, some parents have tried these activities only to find out that they are not entirely inclusive. Stepha...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Have you had your hair cut? Have you got a new coat? Is that a new rucksack? These seemingly simple questions can make a huge difference in building connections and relationships with the children around us. In this week's episode Ginny Bootman joins Dale to discuss 'Incidental Conversations'. She highlights that taking the time to interact with children around us can be incredibly rewarding. Ginny tells us how those incidental conversations can have a profound impact on the individual we are ta...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In the world of Special Educational Needs (SEN), it's common to focus on what children can't do instead of celebrating their abilities. We often compare them to their non-SEN peers and tend to overlook their accomplishments. Even when they achieve something, we tend to focus on what they can't do next. When we focus on what children can't do, we lose connection and miss opportunities to help them progress. Joanne Jones, Consultant Speech and Language therapist joins Dale for her first SENDcast '...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Being a SENCO comes with a long list of responsibilities that often overlap with other roles. Unfortunately, SENCOs are sometimes isolated and hidden away within schools, leading to a lack of understanding of their role. The workload SENCOs face is immense, and leadership may not fully understand the extent of the role. SENCOs need to protect themselves, but how? This week Lynn How, Educational Consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'SENCO Workload and Wellbeing'. Listen to this episode to find out: ...
Jun 15, 2023•1 hr 2 min
We released a great introduction to Tourette's a few weeks ago with Ione, but what impact does having Tourette Syndrome (TS) have within a school? There are still huge amounts of misconceptions out there about TS and a general lack of awareness of the condition. It's really important to increase knowledge and understanding of TS so that students feel supported, understood and accepted in their educational provision. Lucy Toghill, Education Manager for Tourettes Action joins Dale in this episode ...
Jun 08, 2023•49 min
ADHD, ADD, AGT, ASC, ASD, DME, DSD, EBD, PDA, SEMH, SPD… There is an A to Z of SEND labels/terms and there are 9 under 'A' alone!! Labels change and some have more credibility than others. With so many increasing terms how can teachers feel prepared to meet the expectations of parents? Fintan O'Regan, Behaviour and SEN Consultant, joins Dale this week to discuss 'Venn diagrams and Icebergs: How to negotiate the A to Z of SEND'. They debate the use or misuse of labels and outline how some terms c...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 2 min
How can you do yoga with children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD)? For many years the potential for yoga to be helpful for children who have limited or no voluntary movement, or cannot sit unaided, or cannot speak has been questioned. Jyoti Jo Manuel, founder and director of Special Yoga, joins Dale this week to discuss 'Helping children with PMLD thrive with yoga'. Yoga for children and young people with PMLD doesn't look like the usual bending/stretching that are synony...
May 25, 2023•46 min
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited, neurological condition, the key features of which are tics, involuntary and uncontrollable sounds and movements. Tourette's is not a rare condition; it impacts an estimated 300,000 people in the UK and 1 in 100 school aged children. As it's Tourette's Awareness month, 15th May to 15th June, we want to destigmatise Tourette Syndrome by showing the general public what the reality of TS looks like. Dispelling some of the myths that surround it such as all peo...
May 18, 2023•55 min
The teaching of reading is something that is relevant to all our learners including those with severe and complex learning difficulties but the questions is… Where does phonics fit in? Why should we include this within our reading framework and what will it look like? How will learners with the most significant complex needs gain from an inclusive reading curriculum? These are all questions that Dr Sarah Moseley addresses in today's podcast 'Teaching Phonics to ALL learners - what about SLD and ...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Do you have a LEGO® or brick building club in your setting? All children need opportunities to play, make friends and feel accepted. Autistic and neurodivergent children can experience high levels of exclusion and may not have access to the same opportunities to socialise in ways that are supportive and accepting. It has never been more important to actively support them with their social, emotional and communication needs. Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Play I...
May 04, 2023•51 min
Labels tell you a lot and yet nothing at the same time. They can lead to stereotyping, discrimination and negative attitudes but they also facilitate support and understanding of a child's needs. Labels have their uses, but they also have a checklist tick box type mentality attached to them. "It is somewhere to start from as long as it doesn't get boiled down to a checklist of five items because we still need to recognise that everybody is an individual within that possibility of that label." Ab...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Multisensory rooms have become increasingly popular. They typically occupy considerable space, require substantial financial investment, and consume significant amounts of time and human effort. However, there is a mismatch between expectation and experience of sensory rooms, which is underpinned by some fundamental misunderstandings from their conception. People may feel disappointed and that the equipment is insufficient, or that they need to try something different. Joanna Grace, sensory enga...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Did you know that children from ethnic minority groups are excluded at a rate that's 4 times greater than their white peers? Adding neurodivergence into the equation further increases the chance of being excluded. "When you know you're already different, and then you're different within different, that's something that I feel acutely aware of. " Suzy Rowland Today Suzy Rowland, Lauren Fernandez and Keisha Swaby join Dale for this podcast 'Black and Autistic or Neurodivergent'. Listen to hear the...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min
Children are needing more support than ever with their language skills. The Education Endowment Foundation reported a staggering 76% of primary schools said pupils starting school in September 2020 needed more support with communication than in previous years. Coupled with an increase in pupil anxiety, 95% of schools have seen an increase in pupil anxiety since the start of the school year. Anyone supporting young people will want to find ways to help them express their feelings. In this week's ...
Apr 06, 2023•51 min
Do you love Excel or avoid it? If conditional formatting, VLOOKUP, freezing panes, formulas and filtering send you into a spin. Look no further! In this week's show, we're discussing Excel. Ginny Bootman, a SENCO across 4 schools, joins Dale for 'We need to talk about Excel'. You may have listened to Ginny's other podcast (Paperless SENCO) and know that she is currently on a technology journey. Excel saves SENCOs time by automating data management, analysis, and reporting processes, allowing the...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Have you heard of compassionate co-regulation? It means that when we calm and regulate ourselves as the adults, we create an energetic circle of safety that supports the children around us to regulate themselves. It's hard to be truly compassionate and kind when we are stressed out. In this week's episode, Jyoti Jo Manuel, the founder and director of Special Yoga, joins Dale to discuss 'The what and why of compassionate co-regulation'. We talk about how we underestimate the impact that we have a...
Mar 23, 2023•52 min
The nature vs nurture debate in mental health and behaviour refers to the extent to which genetics (nature) and environmental factors (nurture) influence the development of mental health conditions and behaviours. Both genetics and environment play a role in shaping mental health and behaviour, but the exact extent of each factor is still not fully understood. A DfE report on mental health and behaviour cited 4 sets of risk factors that are believed to be associated within: The child themselves ...
Mar 16, 2023•54 min
We live in a digital age, so where do we see or use joined up writing nowadays? Everything has moved on since putting pen to paper and writing letters! Most adults tend to type a lot more than they write, however handwriting is still a big focus in schools. "Handwriting is so much more complicated than a lot of people necessarily give it credit for." Kim Griffin, Occupational Therapist The DfE released new guidance in the Research Review Series which looks at handwriting as a separate skill. Kim...
Mar 09, 2023•58 min
Last summer we were all asked for our input as part of the SEND Review Green Paper consultation. Having reviewed thousands of responses, last week the government published their 101-page 'SEND and AP Improvement Plan'. Today Dale is delighted to be joined by Claire Coutinho, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education, for a special episode ' Discussing the SEND and AP Improvement Plan '. Dale had this great opportunity to ask Claire questions and share her responses w...
Mar 08, 2023•22 min
Becoming a SENCO can be extremely daunting, some people don't know what they're letting themselves in for when they take on the role. It also doesn't help that the qualification to become a SENCO doesn't prepare you for the entirety of the role. In this week's episode Lynn How joins Dale for the first time to discuss 'Becoming a SENCO - Where to Start?'. If you're a new or aspiring SENCO, this episode will give you an insight into what you need to know when setting out in the role, including: Wh...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Are you a SENCO struggling to be strategic? Facing burnout? You are not alone! SENCOs have too many hats to wear and can often feel like they aren't making a difference. Spending a lot of time firefighting, feeling guilty for not being strategic enough yet having to roll their sleeves up and muck in. "You can want to be strategic, but there is so much that gets thrown at you throughout the day. You feel a bit like a firefighter most of the time and have to react to things constantly." Abigail Ha...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 5 min
The considered use of language is often mocked as political correctness gone mad. When you look at it up close it is more like a kind of powerful magic at your fingertips, with the power to do good or ill. In today's podcast, Joanna Grace joins Dale to discuss 'Identity First Language and Belonging'. The autistic community reject person first language (person with autism) in favour of identity first language (autistic person). As a doctoral researcher studying identity and belonging Joanna is fa...
Feb 16, 2023•54 min
Are you familiar with Rosenshine's 10 principles of instruction? Rosenshine's principles are based on evidence-informed teaching and enhance teacher performance in the classroom. They are to be implemented into everyday teaching for simplicity and clarity and underpin any effective approach to instruction in lessons: Daily review Presenting new material in small steps (consequently reducing cognitive overload) Asking questions Presenting models Guided student practice (by practising retrieval, q...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 27 min
