Supporting Young People with Long-Term Illness in Education with Josh Pelled
The SENDcast
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...
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Assessing Complex Learners with Jordan Garrett
The SENDcast
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...
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Understanding PANS and PANDAS: Bridging the Gap in Education and Health with Tina Coope
The SENDcast
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...
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Understanding Epilepsy’s Impact on Children and Young People with Catherine Hodder
The SENDcast
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...
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Supporting Children with Down syndrome to Reach Their Full Potential with Sarah Holton
The SENDcast
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,...
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*Special Episode* - Fixing a Broken System: Response to the White Paper
The SENDcast
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...
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Young Carers: Voices That Matter with Kasia Thompson
The SENDcast
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...
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*Special Episode* National Neurodiversity Shows 2026 with Steph Barnett
The SENDcast
In this special episode of SENDcast, host Dale speaks with Steph Barnett, the show planner for the . 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 -...
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Working Effectively with TAs with Sara Alston
The SENDcast
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 would much prefer to talk about ‘learning support assistants’ because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher.” Sara Alston What you can expect from this...
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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 !...
info_outlineFactors such as hunger, fatigue, illness, excitement, or nervousness can all influence a child’s state of arousal in a classroom and can significantly impact their engagement and learning experience.
In this week’s podcast, Kim Griffin, Occupational Therapist, joins Dale to discuss what we mean by the term ‘arousal’ and how this links to self-regulation.
Kim explains that arousal is the level of energy or alertness present in the body and how different levels of arousal can affect children. It is a neurological process that, to some extent, can be managed, but eventually reaches a point beyond our control. During this episode, Kim highlights:
- Internal and external influencing factors
- Fight, flight or freeze states
- What the ready zone is
- How to get a child into the ready zone
- What should you not do when a child is highly aroused
- Top tips for supporting higher and lower aroused children to self-regulate
By comprehending the connection between arousal and self-regulation, we can create supportive environments that optimise learning and well-being.
About Kim Griffin
Kim is an occupational therapist with 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, their families and teachers to participate successfully in their daily lives. Her interest areas are sensory processing and autism. Kim provides online training for those who want to learn more about sensory processing, motor skills and handwriting along with programmes that show you have to help children improve their skills.
Contact Kim Griffin
https://twitter.com/Griffin_OT
Useful 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
· Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
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