The SENDcast

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. T...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 c...

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‑info...

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...

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 dis...

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 a...

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools - and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren't equipped to work with them effectively. We're missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning. In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'working effectively with TAs'. "I...

"We have an EHCP, so we have something to work from, but almost every local authority allocates and does things in a different way." Nana-Kofi Okyere Today Dale welcomes Nana a SEN Expert/Consultant, onto the podcast to discuss 'Navigating EHCPs: Effectiveness and Exploring the SEND Reform'. Nana shares his insights and experiences navigating the complexities of EHCPs covering: The current state o...

In this latest episode, Chris Lefcovitch, Head of Additional Learning Support at Milton Keynes College joins Dale. In this insightful discussion, they delve into the complexities surrounding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and their realities in later education. Post-16 education often exists on the fringes of legislation and can feel like an afterthought. Various laws, statutory guidance...

I'm excited to share this week's episode, which I've been eagerly anticipating! Like many parents, screen time is a contentious topic in my household. Screen time is one of the most common concerns raised by parents, schools and professionals, yet much of the public conversation is polarised, guilt-inducing or overly simplistic. Families are often left feeling blamed, anxious or unsure how to resp...

Have you ever listened to a podcast featuring a guest owl? Today, you're in for a treat - twoo! Angela Norwood, Managing Director of Berkshire Birds of Prey, joins Dale in the studio, accompanied by Pumba, a vocal Tawny Owl. Angela discusses her remarkable journey from working as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and behaviour to founding Berkshire Birds of Prey. She explain...

In our latest podcast, Ali Neal, an occupational therapist specialising in sensory processing, joins Dale to discuss the intriguing concept of sensory profiles, exploring the differences between being a "sensory elephant" and a "sensory mouse." Ali provides valuable insights into how these profiles affect children's experiences in school and everyday life. Key topics include: Understanding sensory...

Puberty can be a challenging time, but for neurodiverse girls, it can feel like navigating a storm without a map. As they move from the relative safety of primary school to the larger, more complex world of secondary school, they face heightened challenges - from sensory sensitivities to social pressures, including managing periods.  This crucial phase often makes them vulnerable to anxiety, schoo...

Inclusion in education isn't working as well as it should. Despite good intentions, many neurodivergent young people are still being left behind, leading to lifelong consequences for their well-being and opportunities. In our latest SENDcast episode, host Dale Pickles is joined by a record number of guests - five members of the Compass Panel - a passionate group of professionals committed to neuro...

With the launch of the new Ofsted framework at the end of last year, you may be wondering what this means for SEND. In today's episode, Ofsted join us to discuss the key elements of the new inspection framework and its implications for SEND. In this episode, host Dale Pickles is joined by Adam Sproston, a senior His Majesty's Inspector for SEND, AP, and Inclusion. Together, they explore: The key c...

Happy New Year! I'm thrilled to kick off 2026 with our first podcast episode this year! Whether you're recovering from last night's celebrations or enjoying a refreshing walk, this insightful discussion is the perfect way to start the year. Dale is joined by Kirsty Matthews, the CEO of DFN Project Search, to discuss 'From classroom to career: The power of supported internships'. Kirsty sheds light...