The SEND Network Podcast

Get in touch In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day last week (21 March 2025), Sharon Smith returns to the podcast to discuss how to best support young people with Down’s Syndrome transition into adulthood.  In the episode, we cover:  Supporting students find their voice Bridging the gap between education and employment And, importantly, supporting parents to ‘let go’ Resources World Down Syndr...

Get in touch Hester joins Izzy for another episode on MSI (otherwise known as Deafblindness). In this episode, they look at MSI and wellbeing – looking at expressive communication, emotional and social wellbeing and acknowledging the impact MSI has on a child.  Resources Are you fun, funny and laughing? The friendships and social relationships of students with complex communication needs in and ou...

Get in touch This month, the SEND Network podcast attended the first ever edition of the Tes SEND Show North! Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day to find out more about what they do.  Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in order of appearance): Craig Henderson ( The Neurodivergent Barber ) Lynn McCann (Autism, ADHD and PDA Specialist Teacher - Reachout )...

Get in touch Educational consultant Lynn How joins Izzy to talk all things SENCO paperwork, including EHCP paperwork. The episode splits into two parts - streamlining paperwork and EHCPs. Lynn shines a light on: Using the graduated approach to provide the right provision The process of applying for an EHC needs assessment Who is responsible for carrying out key steps in the EHCP process Resources...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Amy Husband, Head of School Academic at Academy 21, our season six sponsor! Amy introduces us to the three-tiered model of intervention and explains how to take a holistic approach to tiered provision. The episode looks at why holistic practice is an important part of a student’s education, explores the best ways to implem...

Get in touch With a new school term comes a new season of the SEND Network Podcast! In our first episode of 2025, Izzy Felton is joined by Simon Airey. Izzy and Simon discuss neurodivergent play, covering: Open-ended play  Allowing children to play their way  And using observations to plan play opportunities Simon also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to h...

Get in touch In our final episode before the holidays, Izzy is joined by Jane Green MBE. They discuss emotional based school avoidance, and the link between neurodivergence and joint hypermobility conditions. Jane also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to hear what she has to say. If you would like to ask future guests questions, register for the SEND Netwo...

Get in touch Gary Aubin returns for the second time this series, to discuss how SENCOs can best utilise and support the teaching assistants in their school. Including: Tapping into you TAs interests and specialties  Looking at the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guide How to support them in their role Resources Check out the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants resou...

Get in touch Since COVID, attendance in school has been on the decline. With new measures being implemented in an attempt to get more children back in school, Suzy Rowland joins Izzy on the podcast to discuss the deeper reasons students may not be in school.  During the episode, Suzy covers: The five main groups of children that are most likely to be school avoiders and why Universal provision to...

Get in touch Since we began the podcast, ADHD has been mentioned throughout. So it only felt right to spend a whole episode talking about it! Izzy is joined by Lynn McCann, who takes us through some strategies that SEND practitioners can use to help students in the classroom with ADHD. Including: Sensory and movement breaks Scaffolding executive functioning  Self esteem and wellbeing Resources men...

Get in touch This year, the SEND Network podcast returned to the Tes SEND Show! This time, Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day, to discuss a wide range of topics within SEND. Including: Inclusive reading frameworks ADHD in early years Autism in girls Assitive technology in SEND Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in order of appearance): Samantha Asher, D...

Get in touch This week on the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by RDI consultant Andreja Stefulj. Andrea explores empowerment, self regulation and collaboration between SENCO, teacher and parent to support a child with SEND in school.  This episode looks at: How changing your mentality can make you a better educator How opening up can help mental wellbeing of SENCOs, teachers and parents alike...

Get in touch Welcome back for season five! We can't quite believe we've reached the fifth season of the SEND Network series already. To celebrate, this episode sees the return of our first ever guest Gary Aubin. In this episode, Gary and Izzy discuss helpful tasks that can help start your year as a SENCo right. The episode covers: Getting to know your SEND register Communication with par...

Get in touch As The SEND Network Podcast reaches it's fifth season, we look back at our episodes so far and provide you with some of our experts top tips for working in the SEND sector. From time management to multi-sensory learning, unmasking to supporting neurodiverse staff. Discover the best advice our experts have had to offer throughout our 26 episodes! This episode features: Kate Browni...

Get in touch As season four of the SEND Network Podcast comes to a close, Izzy is joined by Hester Richardson to discuss the often misunderstood condition Multi Sensory Impairment (also known as deafblindness).  In the episode, Hester highlights: What MSI is and how to spot it Working with the families of children with MSI Improving communication and accessibility in the classroom About Hester Hes...

Get in touch Just as her new book hits the shelves, author and former teacher/SENDCO Georgina Durrant joins Izzy to discuss emotional regulation skills in primary school. Topics covered in this episode include: The current problems with the SEND system  What it can look like if a child is struggling with emotional regulation Healthy strategies to deal with emotional regulation About Georgina Georg...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Catrina Lowri, a Neurodiversity and Inclusion consultant with lived experience working as a neurodivergent teacher, employee and employer. They discussed how to support neurodiverse teachers in your school.  We covered a range of topics, including: Universal support for all teachers Moving into mid or senior leadership rol...

Get in touch In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Speech and Language Therapist, Juliet Leonard. They discuss practical takeaways for supporting children with speech, language and communication needs (or SLCN).  The key areas covered are:  Identifying SLCN  Universal approaches   Targeted Support  And more information about what Speech & Language Link can offer it  Ju...

Get in touch In this episode, we’re joined by sensory specialist Joanna Grace to discuss hidden sensory difficulties in the classroom.  This podcast episode features discussion on:  How a classroom setting can affect a child’s sensory needs Visual processing differences Strategies to use in the classroom There are many sensory processing differences out there, so for this episode Joanna focuses on...

Get in touch Welcome back for season FOUR of the SEND Network Podcast!  It’s no secret that being a SENCO can be stressful as well as at times a lonely job. Sometimes you may be so focused on your students learning and wellbeing, that you neglect your own mental health needs.   As part of Stress Awareness Month, Lorraine Petersen provides tips on how to look after your own mental health both in an...

Get in touch It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! To mark this important week, we are joined by friend of the podcast, Cheryl Warren. Cheryl and Izzy discuss the importance of celebrating neurodiversity and how to be a neuroaffirming educator and SENCO. This is the final episode of series three, so thanks for coming along! Make sure you keep an eye on the SEND Network for series four, coming...

Get in touch For this episode, Izzy is joined by Duncan Casburn, aka PDA Dad UK, to discuss unmasking neurodivergence in the classroom.  Many neurodivergent people mask as a way to disguise parts of themselves to better fit in with those around them. This episode looks at:  The effects of masking How to encourage neurodivergent students to unmask Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) About Duncan Ca...

Get in touch This episode of the SEND Network Podcast tackles intersectionality between race and SEND. This is part two of our conversation with Frances, in which we discuss positive action that educators and schools can take to help tackle discrimination against a student's race and disability.  Topics discussed in this episode include: Unconscious bias A diverse workforce Equity over equali...

Get in touch This episode of the SEND Network Podcast tackles intersectionality between race and SEND.  Inclusivity is a major talking point within education. However, sometimes this doesn’t materialise for pupils from ethnic minorities, especially when in need of additional support.  Frances Akinde joins Izzy Felton to explore why this is, what it means for students and their families, and how ed...

Get in touch For episode two of series three, Sharon Smith joins host Izzy Felton to discuss including children with Down’s syndrome in the classroom. Sharon advises ways to implement a whole school inclusive culture and provides insight into her daughter's experiences in a mainstream school.  The episode breaks whole school inclusivity into three sections: Inclusive curriculum  Friendships a...