Avsnitt
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For some children and young people, the traditional school system has already failed them - sometimes more than once. What they need isn't a better curriculum. It's someone who will meet them where they are.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Ed Robbins, CEO of Fresh Start in Education to discuss 'Leadership in Social Impact Education'. Fresh Start works one-to-one with young people in their homes, in coffee shops, parks, libraries - wherever they feel safe enough to connect. The goal isn't academic attainment from the outset. It's building a relationship, celebrating the seemingly small wins, and gradually inspiring a belief that things can be different.
Dale and Ed discuss why behaviour is always communication, why 'they won't' and 'they can't' are very different things, and why a child who hasn't left their bedroom in weeks getting as far as opening a car door is, in reality, a huge achievement worth celebrating.
About Ed Robbins Ed Robbins has been an integral part of Fresh Start in Education since its earliest days, bringing over two decades of experience in teaching, mentoring, operational leadership and social impact. Ed played a key role in shaping the company's growth, having served successively as operations manager, operations director, managing director and now CEO. Before joining Fresh Start, Ed worked as a finance manager for an independent fostering agency and spent many years teaching and mentoring both in the UK and across Asia. His diverse experience, ranging from finance and strategy to direct youth engagement, gives him a unique lens through which to lead the organisation. Holding an MBA, Ed blends business acumen with deep human empathy, aligning operational excellence with a mission to see the lives of children transformed by the opportunity of a fresh start. As CEO, Ed oversees Fresh Start's national delivery and strategic development. He is passionate about system reform, second chances and scaling personalised education that genuinely works. Under his leadership, Under his leadership, the company continues to expand its reach and impact, guided by its core values: IMPACT – Innovation, Making a Difference, Person Centred, Appreciation, Collaboration and Trust. https://freshstartineducation.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/freshstartineducation/ https://www.instagram.com/freshstartedu/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshstartineducation/ 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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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This is a special episode in which Dale is joined by Beverley Walters, Programme Director of the Tes SEND Show, and Jane Friswell, SEND Consultant and parent advocate, to discuss why listeners should attend the Tes SEND Show taking place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.
Now in its 34th year, the show is the flagship event in the SEND calendar, offering over 42 seminars, 29 free exhibitor sessions, six parent-carer forum sessions, and a leadership summit run in partnership with ASCL. Beverley outlines this year's seminar programme, which reflects the current climate of SEND reform, covering topics such as change management in education, school improvement, and AI technology. Jane shares her experience of attending 32 of the 34 shows and reflects on the unique sense of community, collaboration, and welcome the event has always fostered.
We are looking forward to exhibiting and Dale will be recording live podcasts at the show, with guests speaking about the SEND reform, which will be released after the event.
We hope to see you there!
About the Tes SEND ShowThe Tes SEND Show is the UK's leading event for the SEND community, with over 30 years' experience of supporting front-line teaching and support staff. The 2026 show takes place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH.
The show brings together thousands of education professionals for two days of inclusive CPD, networking, and discovery. Highlights include:
42 CPD-certified seminars from leaders across the SEND community – view the full seminar programme The SEND Leadership Summit – an immersive all-day conference for senior educators, delivered in partnership with ASCL A Parent, Carer and Teacher Forum – sharing real experiences to improve outcomes for children with SEND 3 free-to-attend exhibition theatres showcasing innovative products and services Over 150 exhibitors, including specialists you won't find anywhere else 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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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When schools stop doing things *to* students and start doing things *with* them, everything changes.
Dale is joined by Claire Cannon a national inclusion consultant at Indigo Owl Coaching and Consultancy and Alice Phillips, a Year 11 student currently taking her GCSEs and a neurodiversity advocate with Tourette's. Together, they explore what student self-advocacy really means - and why so many schools are still getting it wrong.
Alice speaks with remarkable insight and honesty about her own experiences: fighting for the right to wear a hoodie; being sanctioned for not going to lessons when she physically and mentally couldn't and spending years masking at school.
Claire brings the professional lens - unpicking why schools default to rigid systems over individual understanding, and what genuine listening actually looks like in practice.
About Claire Cannon
Claire Cannon is an experienced educational leader with 20+ years in education. With extensive experience across both mainstream and specialist settings, Claire has worked in a variety of roles including Assistant Head in secondary AP (SEMH) and SENCO across two education phases.
Claire also supports others as an Educational Leadership Coach, INSET day provider (specialising in SEMH and behaviour), and SEND consultant – frequently contributing as a conference speaker. She is an NPQ facilitator and has served as Chair of Governors.
Claire holds a degree in Psychology, bringing a research-informed, people-centred approach to her work supporting children, staff, and whole-school improvement. In her downtime, she enjoys taking time to reset – her spaniels happily take her for a walk twice each day.
https://www.indigoowlcoachingandconsultancy.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088529101987
About Alice Phillips
Alice is 16 years old and getting ready to take her GCSEs this year. She has 2 bunnies and 2 naughty working cocker spaniels.
https://www.instagram.com/tourettes_dino26/
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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For many neurodivergent children, reading isn't just difficult - it's frightening. And without the right support, that fear can follow them well into adulthood.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Vicki Edgar, Director at Fonetti and co-founder of the National Read Aloud Challenge, to discuss 'Removing the Fear of Reading'.
Vicki was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven and brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation - sharing how the anxiety of reading aloud in class has stayed with her, and what finally helped her overcome it.
She also introduces Fonetti, a read aloud platform that gives children real-time visual feedback as they read, and explains how it is helping reluctant and struggling readers build confidence - without judgment, and without disrupting their flow. Make sure you check out their National Read Aloud Challenge - a free summer reading initiative now in its fourth year, open to all children aged 5 to 15 across the UK!
View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop
About Vicki EdgarI'm deeply passionate about children's literacy and confidence when reading aloud. Growing up with dyslexia, I know first-hand how difficult and isolating reading can feel — and how powerful it is when a child discovers confidence in their own voice.
Now, through my work with Fonetti, the read-aloud app for school and home, I'm helping children build fluency, independence, and a genuine love for reading. I see the impact every day, both in classrooms and at home with my own son, who is dyslexic, ADHD, and ASD.
I work closely with schools to support the implementation of Fonetti and the Fonetti School Portal for teachers. The feedback from teachers, parents, and most importantly, the children themselves has been nothing short of inspiring.
Helping children find joy and confidence in reading aloud isn't just my job, it's my purpose. 💙
Website - https://www.fonetti.com/
Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-edgar/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/fonetti/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-read-aloud-challenge/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FonettiApp/
Insta - https://www.instagram.com/fonettiapp/
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Neurodiverse girls are often loyal, perceptive, and generous - qualities that are real strengths, but that can also make them vulnerable when it comes to navigating romantic relationships.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Kim McCabe, founder of Rights for Girls CIC, to discuss 'What do neurodiverse girls need to know about romance?'. Kim is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years and appears regularly on BBC and Sky News as a child development expert.
Kim shares her top five tips for preparing neurodiverse girls for romance, covering everything from why these conversations should start much earlier than most parents expect, to the importance of building on what girls already know about friendship rather than treating romance as entirely new territory.
She also explores why neurodivergent girls can be particularly vulnerable in romantic relationships - having spent years masking, adapting, and people-pleasing in order to fit in - and why they need explicit permission to slow things down, trust their instincts, and say no. Kim and Dale also discuss the powerful role parents play as relationship role models, and why the dynamic children witness at home sets the bar for everything that follows.
Kim McCabeKim McCabe is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years. A child development expert featured on BBC and Sky News, Kim is also the founder of Rites for Girls CIC, an organisation dedicated to making growing up kinder for girls - and saner for parents. With warmth, clarity, and decades of experience, Kim helps parents rediscover their confidence and connection, knowing they hold the key to raising grounded, resilient children.
https://www.ritesforgirls.com
https://www.facebook.com/RitesForGirls
https://www.instagram.com/ritesforgirls/
Useful LinksRites for Girls YouTube
From Daughter to Woman by Kim McCabe
Mothers Journeying Together
Parenting Through Difficult Times
Girls' Net
Parent Pause
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Wellbeing, culture, and inclusion are more than buzzwords - but too many schools tick the boxes without making the real change that matters.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Cathal Lynch, Director of Wellbeing Quality Mark, to discuss 'Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion'.
"The anxious brain is not a learning brain. The more we can reduce anxiety, the better learning and behaviour outcomes will be."
— Cathal LynchTogether, they explore:
Why school culture always exists - whether leaders shape it intentionally or not.
How to build genuine belonging by actively listening to the views of pupils, parents, and staff.
The role of executive function in behaviour, transitions, and learning - and what schools can do about it.
Why structure, routine, and consistency are not about control, but about reducing anxiety and cognitive load.
How to codify practice so that good work survives leadership changes and scales across a whole school.View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop
About Cathal LynchEducation leader, coach and author of Building Belonging
Cathal has extensive leadership experience in mainstream and special education, including as a National Director of SEND and a MAT co-founder. He is an Associate Education Expert for the Key, a coach, assessor and facilitator on the NPQEL and author of Building Belonging, a systematic approach to school improvement and emotional wellbeing.
https://www.wbqm.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-lynch-2b076a7a/
CPD SESSIONS
Train with Cathal Lynch
Go deeper with Cathal in one of his focused 1-hour CPD sessions — each just £10 and shareable with your whole school.
https://thesendcast.com/shop-home/
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Sport has the potential to be a powerful, positive force in the lives of neurodivergent children - but without the right awareness and approach, it can become yet another environment where they feel excluded.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Liz Day, founder of Collectively Diverse CIC, to discuss 'Neurodiversity and Sport: Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces Where Neurodivergent Children Can Thrive'.
Liz brings a wealth of personal and professional insight - as a former county-level gymnast, specialist PE teacher, and neurodiversity expert who completed a Master's in Psychology at the University of Exeter in 2024, exploring mental health literacy in young people.
Together, they explore:
Why sport and physical activity can be transformative for neurodivergent children - and why PE lessons too often have the opposite effect. The importance of psychological safety in sports settings, and what coaches and clubs can do differently. Why children with EBSA still need access to physical activity, and how to make it happen. How parents can communicate their child's needs effectively with sports organisations. The link between physical activity, emotional regulation, and mental health.This episode is essential listening for parents of neurodivergent children, coaches, and youth sports club leaders - but also highly relevant for teachers, SENCOs, and anyone supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.
View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop
About Liz DayLiz is an experienced trainer and facilitator, passionate about mental health, neurodiversity, and cultivating a safe environment for all. She began her career as a teacher with a specialism in PE, drawing on her background as a former county-level gymnast and lifelong love of sport.
This shaped her inclusive teaching approach and continues to influence her work today — sport remains central to her identity and wellbeing.
https://www.collectivelydiverse.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572518254058
https://www.instagram.com/collectivelydiverseUK/
Useful LinksEBSA Toolkit for Schools
Compass Panel
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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This Deaf Awareness Week, we welcome Samantha Baines to the podcast to explore what it's like living with hearing loss and deafness. Samantha is an award-winning actress, comedian and broadcaster who discovered she was deaf nearly 10 years ago and now advocates for accessibility.
Samantha shares practical insights, challenges misconceptions, and explores what meaningful accessibility looks like in everyday life and in education. They discuss:
The language that deaf communities prefer (and why words matter). How to make meetings, classrooms and public spaces more accessible. The role of BSL interpreters, captions and lip-speaking (and why "one size fits all" doesn't work). Practical ideas schools can apply."People just assume deaf equals absolutely no hearing. And actually, it is more complicated than that."
Samantha Baines
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Samantha Baines Samantha Baines is a multi award-winning woman. An actress, broadcaster and a bestselling author as well as a business woman, speaker and mentor. She is a proud deaf and disabled person and advocate for women and disabled communities. Samantha presents on The One Show, BBC Morning Live, Rip Off Britain and BBC Radio London, researching stories with her journalist background. As an actress she has starred in Netflix's The Crown, Romesh Ranganathan's sitcom Avoidance, Alan Carr's comedy Changing Ends, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness or Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a voting BAFTA member, and has been a judge National Television Awards and the Nasen Awards. Her personal appearances include ITV's Loose Women, Sky News, ITV News and Andrew Neil's This Week. After seven years of stand-up comedy, two sell out Edinburgh Fringe runs and a UK tour, Samantha has proved her comedy chops but these days sticks to being funny on TV, social media, speaking events and books. A proud deaf and disabled woman, she is hearing aid wearer, lipreading and is learning BSL. Samantha is ambassador for the Royal National Institute for Deaf people, patron of Stagetext and the author of two children's books with deaf protagonists; the award-winning Harriet Versus the Galaxy (which she also voices on Audible) and Bloomsbury Education book The Night the Moon Went Out as well as bestselling non-fiction book Living With Hearing Loss and Deafness: a guide to owning it and loving it. Samantha is working on a new children's book serie to be announced soon. A regular on radio stations (yes even though she is deaf), Samantha can be heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio London, Virgin Radio, she uses video calls for her interviews so she can lipread. A professional speaker and event host, she is a TedxOxford speaker and has spoken at the House of Commons, BAFTA, BFI, FCA as international events. She is host of the multi-award nominated, smash-hit podcast The Divorce Social. A 'Times Podcast of the Week', a No.1 relationship podcast on itunes and reaching over half a million downloads, the podcast has won awards at the International Women's Podcast Awards, the British Podcast Awards (bronze) and has had a total of ten award nominations. As well as being a successful author, Samantha has written for publications including The Guardian, The Radio Times, The Telegraph, Time Out, Huffington Post and Stylist Magazine. Samantha is also founder and director of a boutique social media management company Penguin in the Room and luxury accessories brand Baines London which raises money for charitable causes. Contact Samanthahttps://www.samanthabaines.com/
https://www.facebook.com/samanthabaines
https://www.instagram.com/samanthabaines/
https://www.tiktok.com/@samanthabaines
http://www.twitter.com/samanthabaines
http://www.youtube.com/user/samanthabaines
Useful LinksLiving With Hearing Loss and Deafness: A guide to owning it and loving it
Signature deaf awareness course
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Who Will Be SEND? Questions, Not Answers on the Reform Ahead Dale Pickles, Managing Director, B Squared
England's SEND system is on the cusp of its most significant reform in a generation - but one crucial question is going largely unanswered: who will actually be SEND under the new framework?
Dale has written another thought-provoking paper - and again he's recorded it too, so you can take it in without having to work through 34 pages of reading. He unpacks the quiet but profound shift hidden within the proposed move from four areas of need to five areas of development. The SEND register has long been used as a catch-all for children who need help - not all of whom have genuine special educational needs. The reform is set to separate those two groups, with major implications for children, families, schools, and SENCOs.
This paper explores the four distinct populations affected by the changes, what the removal of Cognition and Learning as a category really means, why mental health is being repositioned as a universal concern, and how the familiar SEND vs non-SEND data comparison is about to become meaningless.
Crucially, Dale argues that this reform is not about removing support - it's about making sure the right support reaches the right children, honestly described.
Essential reading for SENCOs, school leaders, and anyone who cares about what happens to the children the system has always struggled to see.
He is always open to conversations, so feel free to get in contact with your thoughts.
Here are the timings for the different sections:
Start - 00:00
Introduction - 01:37
Section 01 - 05:28
Section 02 - 09:35
Section 03 - 16:48
Section 04 - 27:09
Section 05 - 47:57
Section 06 - 01:02:53
Section 07 - 01:09:21
Section 08 - 01:21:58
Section 09 - 01:34:18
Section 10 - 01:40:49
Closing - 01:47:02
Useful links...
Who will be SEND? document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Question-Who-will-be-SEND.pdf
Fixing a Broken System document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fixing-a-Broken-System-1.pdf
Listen to Fixing a Broken System - https://thesendcast.com/special-episode-fixing-a-broken-system/
SENDcast Session FREE Briefing on the White paper and SEND Reforms - https://thesendcast.com/product/whats-in-the-schools-white-paper-for-send/
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 Fixing a Broken System document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fixing-a-Broken-System-1.pdf SENDcast Session FREE Briefing on the White paper and SEND Reforms - https://thesendcast.com/product/whats-in-the-schools-white-paper-for-send/ The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Did you know that a third of autistic people experience serious mental health challenges? This striking statistic is highlighted by Dr Joanna Grace in her latest podcast 'Barriers to Mental Healthcare for Autistic People'.
"Autistic people have been actively removed from research about mental health."
Dr Joanna Grace
A sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, Joanna emphasises that while there is substantial research on mental health, we often don't know if it applies to autistic individuals. During the podcast, they discuss:
The prevalence of inaccurate mental health diagnoses among autistic adults. The impact the differences in interoception has on diagnosis. Practical strategies to support mental health within the autistic community.Mental health has significant consequences for the quality and length of life. By understanding the risks and barriers, we can empower ourselves and others to take proactive steps in addressing these challenges.
Please note this podcast covers sensitive topics, including suicide, and carries a trigger warning.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Dr Joanna GraceJoanna 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 Dr Joannawww.TheSensoryProjects.co.uk
www.Facebook.com/JoannaGraceTSP
https://x.com/Jo3Grace
https://www.youtube.com/@TheSensoryProjects
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Geoff and Nargis join Dale in the studio for this special episode to discuss the Autism & ADHD Shows (June–July) in London, Birmingham, and, for the first time, Liverpool (moved from Manchester).
They share how the event evolved from the Autism Show, launched in 2011 after their son's autism diagnosis, to its current format that also includes ADHD - driven by the rise in co-occurring diagnoses.
They also describe what attendees can expect: a welcoming, supportive community hub offering over 100 CPD-accredited learning hours, practical strategies, workshops, one-to-one clinics, and the chance to connect with exhibitors and services.
About the Autism and ADHD Shows
It's the national event dedicated to autism and ADHD. Attend to access a huge amount of trusted information and advice to help support an autistic or ADHD person in a home, education or workplace setting.
The CPD accredited programme has been designed to enable attendees to pick and choose the learning which is most relevant, whether it relates specifically to autism, ADHD or when both conditions co-occur. Interwoven between the many theatres, one to one clinics, and practical workshops, you'll also find an essential selection of specialist products and services. Discover what's on at each location:
The Autism and ADHD Show LONDON
19 – 20 June
The Autism and ADHD Show BIRMINGHAM
26 – 27 June
The Autism and ADHD Show LIVERPOOL
3 – 4 July
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Today is Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Awareness Day, and to mark the occasion we're sharing an episode focused on raising awareness of this rare condition.
In this conversation, Nicky Muller - a former trustee of FOP Friends and mother of Isla, who has FOP - joins Dale to share practical insight into supporting children with rare conditions and to tell Isla's inspiring story.
Nicky explains that FOP causes the body's soft tissues to progressively turn into bone, often after flare-ups triggered by injury or sometimes viruses. She highlights how unpredictable this is, and how it affects daily life - particularly movement, risk management, and schooling.
A key focus is Isla's recent transition to secondary school where they discuss difficulties around inclusion, PE participation, breaks/lunchtime, and the emotional impact. Nicky highlights the importance of school-wide awareness and an inclusive culture. Stressing that genuine inclusion is not just about the support in place, but whether a child feels safe, seen, valued and able to belong.
"The best one-on-ones are the ones where you don't even know they're there. Isla's voice is the voice that's heard - it's so difficult for her to feel not only included but valued."
Nicky Muller
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Nicky MullerNicky is an FOP awareness advocate and mum to Isla who is now 12 and diagnosed with FOP as a baby. A former trustee of the UK charity, FOP Friends and a career in Marketing, she combines lived experience with expertise to drive awareness, fundraising and support for families.
Contact Nickyhttps://www.fopfriends.com
https://www.facebook.com/fopfriends
https://www.instagram.com/fop_mum/
https://x.com/FOPFriends
https://www.youtube.com/FOPFriends
Useful Linkswww.fopfriends.com
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Bright Futures' research estimates that around 270,000 young people (age 5–24) miss 20% or more of their education each year due to long-term illness. The consequences for qualifications, employment and wellbeing are severe - for example, 79% of 18-24 year‑olds who are out of work due to ill health only have qualifications at GCSEs or below, compared with 34% of their peers.
These young people don't just lose learning: prolonged absence damages social connections, confidence and everyday school experiences. "Returning to normal" needs careful planning, not a simple reinstatement of lessons.
Josh Pelled, CEO of Bright Futures UK and a two-time cancer survivor, founded the charity based on his lived experience of missing significant portions of his education. Josh joins Dale to discuss 'supporting young people with long-term illness in education', covering the academic, social, and mental-health impacts of prolonged absence, the difficulty of reintegration, and how technology can help maintain learning and connection but cannot replace full inclusion.
"We can try to do things to bridge the gap between illness and education and make sure that a young person feels as supported as possible."
Josh Pelled
Listen to Josh delve into the practical, emotional, and systemic challenges faced by ill students and explore how educators, SENCos, and pastoral teams can be more proactive in helping these students stay connected to learning and community life.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Josh PelledJoshua Pelled is the Founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK, a pioneering charity dedicated to reintegrating young people into education after serious long-term illness. His journey is deeply personal, having survived cancer twice— first at the age of five and again at sixteen. These experiences revealed the profound educational and social challenges that come with prolonged medical absences, inspiring him to create a support system he wished he had.
Contact Joshhttps://www.brightfuturesuk.org
https://www.facebook.com/BrightFuturesUKOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/brightfuturesuk/
Useful LinksONS Statistics – People with long-term health issues
Statutory Guidance – Ensuring a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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The needs around SEND in schools are increasing - both in numbers and complexity of needs – and many schools are struggling with the best way to support their learners effectively. They want to do the best for their students, but the DfE provides very limited guidance on supporting learners with SEND.
Jordan Garrett from Sensory Classroom joins Dale to discuss 'assessing complex learners'. Jordan brings a wealth of experience from specialist and mainstream settings, plus years of curriculum and resource development, and offers practical, classroom-tested advice.
Their discussion includes:
Clear explanation of the gaps in current guidance and why schools struggle to turn these into day-to-day practice. Practical, person-appropriate approaches for curriculum and assessment that meet learners where they are - including translating mainstream topics into meaningful, multi-sensory lessons. How to use frameworks to track small steps of progress, show meaningful outcomes to parents and plan bespoke learning without creating lots more work. Ideas for making regulation, communication and sensory needs the foundation of teaching so pupils can access academic learning. Advice on building collaboration between teachers and TAs, using APDR cycles, and choosing trusted, adaptable resources rather than one-size-fits-all "solutions".View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About JordanJordan is an experienced Specialist Education Teacher in the UK. She shares daily ideas, support and resources to support supporting adults of non-speaking children with SEN.
Contact Jordanhttps://sensoryclassroom.org
https://www.facebook.com/share/z4JM3rfbXWsuw2Kb/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.instagram.com/sensoryclass
https://www.tiktok.com/@sensoryclass
Useful LinksSensory Curriculum
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Did you know that common infections, like strep throat, can cause a neuroinflammatory response affecting the brain?
Today we're raising awareness of difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood conditions – Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Tina Coope, a former teacher and parent whose daughter experienced sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms, explains how PANS and PANDAS present, why they're often missed, and what schools can do to support affected children.
This episode explains:
What PANS and PANDAS are: what they are, typical triggers, and common symptoms. How they can mimic or overlap with neurodivergence yet require medical recognition and timely intervention. Classroom-ready guidance: spotting multiple unexplained changes, documenting patterns, making immediate needs-led accommodations during flares, and planning flexible support during recovery. Resources and training available. Why early recognition, careful recording, and good communication between school and family can make a huge difference."You're looking for multiple unexplained changes. They are uniformly, hugely distressing across the board of those symptoms."
Tina Coope
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Tina CoopeTina Coope is a former teacher with a Master's in Education and a rich background across mainstream and special schools. She's led specialist Autism provision and founded a Nurture unit in an infant school. When her daughter suddenly developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms at age 7, Tina's professional and personal worlds collided.
Driven by lived experience, Tina became the Education Lead for PANS PANDAS UK in 2021, where she created the UK's first teacher and educational psychology training course on the conditions, and developed extensive resources for educators and allied professionals. She now co-chairs the national Education, Social Care and Health Group, shaping guidance for Local Authorities.
Contact Tinahttps://panspandasuk.org
https://www.facebook.com/panspandasuk/
https://www.instagram.com/pans_pandas_uk/
https://x.com/PANSPANDASUK
Useful LinksResources for Education Professionals
Training
Local Authority Information and Update
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss 'Understanding epilepsy's impact on children and young people'.
Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life.
Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not feel confident responding when a seizure occurs, and as a result some children are unnecessarily excluded from lessons, sports and school trips.
Catherine explains:
What epilepsy is and how seizures can look very different. Common myths and misunderstandings. Practical, school-focused advice: Individual Health Care Plans, emergency medication, and how to respond when a seizure happens. The impact of epilepsy on learning, memory and mental health. How schools can improve inclusion so young people don't miss out. A reminder about the DfE consultation on updated guidance for supporting pupils with medical conditions (open until 1 May).This episode gives clear, practical guidance that helps staff feel confident supporting pupils with epilepsy - from first aid basics to building a supportive, inclusive school culture. It's full of resources and actions schools can take straight away.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Catherine HodderCatherine leads Young Epilepsy's policy, influencing and youth voice work to improve support systems for children and young people with epilepsy across the UK.
Contact Catherinehttp://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/YoungEpilepsy
https://www.instagram.com/youngepilepsy/
https://www.tiktok.com/@youngepilepsy
Useful LinksYou Can Help – Seizure Support Films for Young People
Purple Day – an annual awareness day for epilepsy
Supporting children and young people with epilepsy
Understand My Epilepsy
Updated draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Did you know that children with Down syndrome have a different learning profile?
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day this Saturday, Sarah Holton from Down syndrome UK, joins Dale to tell us how we can 'support children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential'. Sarah is a specialist advisory teacher and parent to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. She shares practical, research‑informed strategies to help children with Down syndrome thrive.
Why listen?
Understand the Down syndrome learning profile (strengths like visual learning; challenges like hearing, visual acuity, and verbal short‑term memory). Get classroom‑ready tips: use visuals, scaffold carpet time, teach play skills, and adapt materials for better inclusion. Discover the support available."It's really important that we make sure that we are finding ways for our children with Down syndrome to show what they know."
Sarah Holton
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Sarah HoltonSarah is our Specialist Advisory Teacher and leads our Early Years Development Programme. Sarah has worked with DSUK for many years developing our PEGS programme, delivering regular behaviour bootcamps and Information Sharing Sessions on topics including early reading, numbers and choosing a preschool. More recently she has been involved in the development and delivery of our Early Years Development Programme. She is a mum to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome.
Contact Sarahhttps://downsyndromeuk.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/PositiveaboutDownSyndrome/
https://www.instagram.com/positive_about_down_syndrome/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-uk/
https://www.youtube.com/@positiveaboutdownsyndrome
Useful LinksEarly Years Development Programme
Primary Development Programme
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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This is a special episode focusing on the new White Paper and the SEND reforms consultation.
Last week, I published my response and reflections — not just on the White Paper and the consultation itself, but also on what they mean in the wider context of the current SEND system, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the new Ofsted Inspection Framework.
It turned into quite a big document… about 35 pages in total. There's a lot in there to digest, and a few people asked whether there might be an audio version.
So here we are.
In this episode, it's just me, reading through my response and sharing my thoughts. Hopefully it will help you reflect on how we got here, some of the challenges in the current system, what isn't mentioned in the White Paper and reforms, and where things might go next.
And of course, I'll also touch on what this means for B Squared and the work we're doing.
I am always open to conversations, so feel free to get in contact with your thoughts.
Here are the timings for the different sections:
Section Start
1 0:01:29
2 0:05:09
3 0:09:15
4 0:47:31
5 1:02:41
6 1:13:21
7 1:22:53
8 1:32:09Useful links...
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe Fixing a Broken System document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fixing-a-Broken-System-1.pdf SENDcast Session FREE Briefing on the White paper and SEND Reforms - https://thesendcast.com/product/whats-in-the-schools-white-paper-for-send/ The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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Young carers often take on adult responsibilities, balancing school, social life, and caregiving, all while navigating the emotional impact of disability in their families. This is an increasingly important area of discussion, particularly as schools are now required to report the number of young carers within their settings for the national census.
I'm delighted to share today's inspirational discussion with Kasia Thompson, a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy – 'Young Carers: Voices That Matter'.
Kasia has developed an award-winning initiative aimed at supporting young carers, an often-hidden group within our schools. She shares her insights on:
The challenges young carers face Strategies for recognising and supporting young carers within schools The importance of creating an inclusive environment for students with caring roles Practical steps for schools to engage with young carers and empower themYou'll also hear directly from St Regis students as they share their experiences as young carers. Join us as we explore how we can better support young carers, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and empowered.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Kasia ThompsonKasia Thompson, is a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy with a passion for supporting inclusion and understanding, particularly for families raising a disabled child.
Kasia developed an award-winning initiative supporting Young Carers within a mainstream secondary school. She has been a dedicated advocate for ensuring these students feel seen, supported, and empowered—creating an environment where they know they are not alone and have people ready to listen and stand beside them.
Contact Kasiawww.stregisacademy.org
https://facebook.com/kingswolverhampton
https://www.instagram.com/stregisceacademy
Useful LinksWolverhampton Carers Team
Carers Trust
Young Carers in Schools
Children's Society
Sibs – sibling carers
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
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In this special episode of SENDcast, host Dale speaks with Steph Barnett, the show planner for the National Neurodiversity Shows. Together, they discuss the inception and significance of these events, which aim to create inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Launched in 2025, the shows are designed to provide vital information, support, and a sense of belonging for attendees, offering a unique blend of professional insights and personal journeys. With a series of four events scheduled for 2026—Cardiff in April, Wigan in June, Coventry in July, and Glasgow for the first time in September - Steph outlines what visitors can expect, including informative seminars and community engagement opportunities.
This episode emphasises the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for the neurodivergent community and highlights the show's commitment to inclusivity.
The SENDcast is a proud media partner for the event and we will be exhibiting - make sure you pop by to say hi!
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].uk Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe The SENDcast is powered by B SquaredWe 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.
- Visa fler
