From Anxiety to Attendance: Rethinking SEMH Support with Helen Bray
Release Date: 10/02/2025
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...
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How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan with Ekaterina Harrison
The SENDcast
Despite being central to support for children with SEND, the Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) process is often overwhelming and confusing for families. Ekaterina Harrison, a solicitor and author of the EHCP Handbook, joins Dale to discuss ‘How to Make an Effective Education, Health and Care Plan’. Ekaterina offers vital legal insights and personal strategies to help listeners take informed, confident steps - whether reviewing an EHCP for the first time or requesting changes to an existing plan. “It's quite a sad state of affairs to have trickery going on in this sector”....
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Sensory Struggles With Eating with Dr Joanna Grace
The SENDcast
Can you believe it’s already December? With the holiday season upon us, festivities often revolve around food, which can be particularly stressful for families with fussy eaters - something I can relate to with my 7-year-old son at mealtimes. Eating is essential for our health and well-being, yet it can become a source of anxiety for many families. In this episode, Dr Joanna Grace, sensory engagement and inclusion specialist, shares her personal journey as a fussy eater and highlights that sensory issues often relate more to texture than taste. “The emotional tension is there because you...
info_outlineAttendance is a national priority, yet many interventions focus on behaviour management rather than addressing underlying SEMH needs.
Helen Bray, the Director of SEND for the East Midlands Education Trust, joins Dale today to discuss the impact of SEMH challenges, post-pandemic trauma, and the rise of emotionally based school avoidance on attendance rates. With over 20 years of experience across early years, primary, and secondary education, Helen is incredibly passionate about supporting all pupils to succeed.
“It's so isolating and so hard for these children and parents where they just physically cannot walk through those gates”.
Helen Bray
Listen to hear the underlying reasons for low attendance and how they connect to students’ emotional readiness. Helen highlights strategies schools can implement to create a supportive environment for students facing these challenges. She emphasises the importance of building strong relationships with students and their families to foster trust and engagement.
Helen also shares insights on how we can better understand our children’s needs and the importance of being flexible in our approaches to support.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
About Helen Bray
Director of SEND for the East Midlands Education Trust, with 20 years of experience in teaching and leadership across early years, primary, and secondary education. A passionate advocate for adaptive practice, I work with schools to embed it as the golden thread through all teaching and learning.
I champion relational practice, ensuring high-quality SEMH support is a core part of every school’s universal offer. Committed to breaking down the silos, I believe in a holistic approach to supporting children and young people. I also collaborate closely with local authorities to improve inclusion services for children and families.
Contact Helen
www.linkedin.com/in/helen-bray-b8130826a
Useful Links
Positive Social : Helping young people survive + thrive on social media
Mental health issues affecting a pupil's attendance: guidance for schools - GOV.UK
When the adults change, everything changes by Paul Dix
Survival Psychology – Tony Brooks
Want to hear more about supporting SEMH?
This October, Richard Daniel-Curtis is joining Dale live in our studio to present 2 CPD training sessions:
1. Supporting SEMH in the classroom
2. Understanding the early causes of mental health difficulties and how to support pupils
Register your place now for just £10 per session which can be shared with your whole school.
- 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
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