What is an OT? with Kim Griffin
The SENDcast
We’ve all heard of Occupational Therapists – but do we truly understand the breadth and depth of their role? Kim Griffin has been an OT for over 20 years and joins Dale for today’s podcast ‘What is an OT?’. Kim sheds light on the history of the profession, explains how the name was derived and how it can specialise in different areas; such as working with children, adults, mental health, SEND, orthopaedics and so on. An OT’s role can support people across their lifespan! Kim specialises in paediatrics and has extensive experience working with SEND children within schools. During...
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Parenting foster/adopted children with Alison Knowles
The SENDcast
Let's begin by acknowledging a fundamental truth: there are no bad children. Each child exhibits behaviours as a means of survival within their unique environment. In the case of foster or adopted children, many have endured profoundly traumatic pasts, resulting in complex behavioural issues. However, at their core, they are children who, like any other child, simply need to feel loved, safe, and valued. In this week’s episode, Alison Knowles joins Dale to discuss ‘Parenting foster/adopted children’. We explore the specific challenges facing foster or adoption families including;...
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A Profound Separation with Joanna Grace
The SENDcast
Recently a new term has emerged 'profound autism', which refers to autistic individuals who have intellectual disabilities and require round-the-clock support. While this term has been well received in some circles, it has sparked controversy in others. We delve into this topic with Joanna Grace and explore the new term and its implications within the autistic community in today’s podcast 'A Profound Separation'. During our discussion, we touch upon the following: High or low functioning Intellectual disability The need for another new term Negative connotations Listening to the autistic...
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The National SEND Picture with Simon Tanner
The SENDcast
When it comes to the national SEND landscape, it's crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of what is happening across the country. Different schools and authorities often face unique challenges, and it's important to recognise the difference between struggles that are universal and those that are localised to specific schools. Having spent 6 years as a MAT SEND Leader, Simon Tanner joins Dale today bringing his expertise to discuss ‘The National SEND Picture’. During the conversation, Simon delves into the national issues affecting the SEND landscape, such as workload, funding, and...
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Controller, Friend or Benevolent Dictator with Fintan O'Regan
The SENDcast
The impact of a teacher's style and approach can be profound, especially when it comes to students with special educational needs (SEN) and behaviour challenges. Some teachers effortlessly handle students perceived as "difficult", while others struggle and resort to excessive punishment. On this week's podcast, we're discussing teacher styles for supporting SEN and behaviour with our regular guest Fintan O’Regan. Fintan looks a 3 specific types of teacher style and considers the merits of each - are you a controller, a friend, or a benevolent dictator? Controller – These subject...
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GIRL UNMASKED – Autistic Masking, School and Mental Health with Emily Katy
The SENDcast
School can often be a traumatic experience for autistic children and young people. Unfortunately, many individuals, particularly girls, go undiagnosed and lack the necessary support they need. This has led to low school attendance rates and a concerning decline in mental health. As it’s Autism Acceptance Week, I am excited to welcome Emily Katy to our studio to share her incredible story and insights on 'Autistic Masking, School, and Mental Health'. During Emily’s inspirational podcast she covers the following: Her journey – undiagnosed autistic for nearly 17 years, challenges at school...
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Standardised Approach to Exams with Dr Susie Nyman
The SENDcast
Exams can be a daunting experience for students as they face the pressure to perform well and the associated stress. Many students may feel unprepared, lacking effective revision techniques and uncertainty about what to expect in the exam room. Today, I am delighted to welcome back Dr Susie Nyman, one of our regular guests, to discuss ‘Standardised Approach to Exams’. With GCSE and A-Level exams fast approaching, Susie shares invaluable insights on how to succeed in exams, not just for students with SEND but for all, enabling them to achieve higher grades and secure admission to...
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Strengthening the SENCO-Headteacher Partnership
The SENDcast
SENCOs face lots of challenges in their role, one significant one being many headteachers’ lack of understanding of the role. Traditionally, becoming a headteacher followed a career pathway, progressing from teacher to deputy head, and finally to headship. During this, detailed SEND training was often overlooked which has led to an awful lot of misconceptions and lack of awareness among headteachers on the vital SENCO role. This has led to SENCOs feeling frustrated from not being heard or understood. In today’s episode, we hear from an experienced SENCO who has worked with 11 headteachers...
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Sensory Strategies with Kim Griffin
The SENDcast
From birth, we possess certain innate senses, such as touch, while others, like vision and balance, continue to develop throughout childhood and beyond. Understanding how these senses evolve and impact our daily experiences is crucial for creating an optimal learning environment. In this episode, Kim Griffin guides us through an insightful discussion on ‘Sensory Strategies’ covering various aspects, including: the types of senses perception of sensory support, strategies and tools arousal states and their influence on learning regulation how different senses can be distracting in school...
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How exercise is different for children with SEND and why it matters with Miriam Saffer
The SENDcast
There is a lot of talk about the need for reasonable adjustments and targeted support for those with SEND when it comes to school, but far less about the need for accessibility and inclusion in other aspects of life. Research shows that the rates of obesity, asthma, heart disease and many other long term negative health outcomes are significantly higher in communities and groups of the population who have a disability, whether that’s a physical or a neurodivergent condition. Keeping physically active is vital to good health, but depending on a young person's needs, the options available can...
info_outlineSENsible24: Elevate Your SENCO Experience with a little bit of fun and learning
Step into a world of inclusivity and collaboration at the first LIVE in-person event, "All in the Room". Inspired by the idea of meeting SEN needs within the classroom, this event brings together exhibitors, speakers, and SENCOs around the same tables. Join us for a day filled with engaging sessions, laughs and a few moments of realisation, led by experts in Special Educational Needs (SEN), where knowledge is shared and connections are made. From adaptive teaching strategies to tackling workload bureaucracy, we invite you to be part of this fun filled community day where everyone learns from each other, even Gavin...
Event Highlights:
📚 Practical Wisdom: Lots of stories and helpful tips from those that have been there and done that, not only that but the combined experience in the room will reach well over 1000 years!
🤝 Networking Extravaganza: Connect, collaborate, and get moving around the room, ohh you thought you were just coming to sit by people you already knew? Haha, think again, SENCOs meet other SENCOs as we get you engaging with each other like never before!
🛍️ Exhibitor Showcase: Every event has to have some well placed exhibitors, but these are just those throwing money at the event, going "I want to be there!" Every Exhibitor has been hand picked to attend and is linked to a talk, they might even be a little picked on, well they spend ages trying to get you to buy their stuff, so let's have a little fun!
☕ Free Nourishment: Nourishment? Who uses that? Free food, 200 people eating in a gourmet restaurant, just avoid Gavin he is all elbows and with that many people you can be assured something will go wrong, if it does we can open the Prosecco and just laugh about it!
🎟️ Limited Tickets: Super limited and we reallly have to sell all these to break even with the bank, running this kind of event isn't free, we have some discounts available for our website members (Plat/Plat plus), but we really can't do much more than that. Sorry!
🥳 Celebration: We will be recognising the work that SENCOs do, you work soo hard to make such a different and one random lucky or unlucky SENCO will be pulled up to the stage and given the award that represents the hard work of all SENCOs!
This is more than just a boring conference; it's an opportunity to grow, connect, and celebrate your role as a SENCO. Whether you're a seasoned SENCO or just starting your journey, SENsible24 is the place to be.
About Abigail Hawkins
Abigail runs SENDCOSolutions, an SEN consultancy and SENsible SENCO CIC, a not-for-profit networking support group. She has been a SENCO for over 25 years and has taught a multitude of subjects across all phases from 2-year-olds to adults.
She works with software companies developing supportive software for SEN and Safeguarding purposes, has developed and delivers on a teaching assistant apprenticeship programme, authored several books on SEN and exclusions and runs a support network for over 9000 SENCOs.
Until recently, she was the Chair of Governors for 3 schools in the East Midlands and she still works as a SENCO for part of her week. Abigail has a no-nonsense, practical approach to SEN issues faced by schools.
Abigail was one of the three lead voices on a series of SEN webinars delivered over the lockdowns amassing an audience of over 12000 viewers and she uses modern approaches to share SEN-related information including a successful YouTube channel.
Contact Abigail
Website – www.sendcosolutions.co.uk
Email – [email protected]
Twitter – @sendcosolutions
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sensiblesenco
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/SENsibleSENCO
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B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
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Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
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Email Dale – [email protected]
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Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe