Happy Birthday, We are 2! Let's look back over the last 2 years.
Release Date: 03/10/2022
The Effectiveness of EHCPs. The EHCP process and the SEND reform with Nana-Kofi Okyere
The SENDcast
“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 of the EHCP process Challenges faced by local authorities and schools The importance of early intervention SEND Reform View available or visit our !...
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SEND in Later Education: The Facts, Laws, and Real Stories with Chris Lefcovitch
The SENDcast
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, and governing body frameworks come into play when young people reach their mid-teens, significantly impacting their provision, curriculum options, and the longevity of EHCPs. It’s crucial for key...
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Screens, Meltdowns and Power Struggles with Dr Daniel Weisberg
The SENDcast
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 respond when screens become a source of conflict or distress. Dr Daniel Weisberg, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, joins Dale in the podcast today to discuss ‘Screens, Meltdowns and Power...
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Therapeutic Effect of Birds of Prey with Angela Norwood
The SENDcast
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 explains how these majestic birds help children and young people calm and regulate their emotions, making a significant impact on their mental health. Highlights include: The calming effects of birds of...
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Are you a Sensory Elephant or Mouse? with Ali Neal
The SENDcast
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 needs and how they manifest in different individuals. Practical strategies for supporting children based on their sensory profiles. Finding a balance and understanding that needs can shift...
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Supporting Neurodiverse Girls Through Puberty and the Transition to Secondary School with Kim McCabe
The SENDcast
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, school refusal, and dips in self-esteem. This week Kim McCabe, the founder of Rights for Girls CIC, joins Dale to delve into the unique challenges neurodiverse girls face during puberty and their...
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Charting a Neuroinclusive Future: Why Systemic Change Starts with Education with Liz Day, Victoria Bagnall, Pete Jarrett and Fintan O'Regan
The SENDcast
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-inclusion. Featuring Liz Day, Victoria Bagnall, Dr Helen Ross, Fintan O'Regan, and Pete Jarrett the panel explores the pressing need for systemic change in education. They discuss how current systems...
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Navigating Ofsted's New Framework: What You Need to Know for SEND with Adam Sproston
The SENDcast
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 changes in Ofsted's new framework and what they mean for SEND. How inclusion is now at the heart of educational inspections. The collective responsibility of school leaders in supporting...
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From Classroom to Career: The Power of Supported Internships with Kirsty Matthews
The SENDcast
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 on the challenges faced by young people with learning disabilities in the job market. She shares a shocking statistic: less than 5% of individuals with a learning disability known to their...
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Helping Learning To Stick with Dr Susie Nyman
The SENDcast
As we approach the end of 2025, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to you - our wonderful listeners! It has been another remarkable year with 52 episodes recorded, 35 new guest speakers and 100,000 downloads. Thank you for being part of this journey! I’m excited to share our latest episode of the SENDcast, where we explore the concept of "sticky learning" with the legendary Dr. Susie Nyman! A recently retired curriculum manager with 29 years of experience, Susie shares her insights on how to make learning truly resonate with students, especially those with special...
info_outlineLittle did we know when launching the SENDcast 2 years ago, that the world as we knew it was about to drastically change. We hope that you’ve enjoyed listening to the episodes through the highs and lows and have kept you company whether you’ve been walking, running, driving, painting etc.
In this 2nd birthday episode Sarah-Jane Critchley joins Dale in the studio to celebrate creating podcast number 87! They reflect on their favourite episodes, significant events and changes in SEN from their perspective. Sarah-Jane is an Author, Speaker, Consultant and Coach from Different Joy Partnership – most importantly she is a top fan of The SENDcast! With over 73k downloads, 87 episodes, 2 awards and 100+ hours of content we are going from strength to strength. We just wanted to say a big thank you for listening from the SENDcast team here at B Squared. It’s an honour to meet such fascinating speakers and produce these fun, interesting and thought-provoking episodes
About Sarah-Jane Critchley
Sarah-Jane is an Author, Speaker, Consultant and Coach from Different Joy Partnership. She was previously the Programme Manager for over 10 years at the Autism Education Trust. Pupils with autism often struggle with attending school for a number of reasons. Her daughter Beth is autistic and also suffers from migraines which meant from Year 3 onwards she missed a lot of school and missed over 50% of her GCSE classes, eventually dropping out of school in year 12.
Contact Sarah-Jane:
Twitter: @SarahJaneCritch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sarahjanecritchley/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/differentjoy/
Useful Links
- 0-5 Developmental milestones: Development Milestones (justonenorfolk.nhs.uk)
- Jim Sinclair – Don’t mourn for us - Don't Mourn for Us (ucsc.edu)
- Growth mindset – Carol Dweck - https://youtu.be/_X0mgOOSpLU
For more podcast episodes from the SENDcast click below… https://sendcast.wpengine.com/sendcast-episodes/