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The SENDcast

Dale Pickles

The SENDcast is a weekly podcast focusing on Special Educational Needs, it is an amazing way to keep up to date with all the different areas within SEN, best practices and to improve your knowledge around SEND.

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27 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 4 min
English

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Thursday · 1 hr 18 min
SEND Reforms - what does it mean for trusts with Simon Tanner & Helen Bray
The SEND reforms have generated a lot of conversation - but one perspective has been missing from the debate. What does it mean for trusts? In this episode, Dale is joined by Helen Bray, Director of Inclusion at St Francis CMAT, and Simon Tanner, Director of School Improvement for SEND at Authentic Education, for a wide-ranging and at times refreshingly candid conversation about what the proposed reforms mean at trust level. Together, they explore: - Why accountability and capacity must move together - and why simply shifting responsibility away from local authorities without the right funding and workforce risks relocating the pressure rather than solving the problem. - What the standardisation of EHCPs and ISPs could mean in practice, and why trusts working across multiple local authorities stand to benefit most. - How the Mainstream Inclusion Fund will work differently across schools of different sizes - and why trusts can't simply pool the money. - Why Helen's trust has moved away from a standalone SEND register and replaced it with a vulnerability dashboard - and why that distinction matters for the children who fall through the gaps. - Whether the 'Experts at Hand' proposal can actually deliver in practice, given the existing shortage of educational psychologists and speech and language therapists. - Why executive function training is urgently needed - not just for TAs, but for every teacher in every secondary school. "If we're going to formally shift greater responsibility away from the local authority model, we have to ask whether schools actually have the expertise, the funding, and the infrastructure to deliver on it — otherwise we're not solving a problem, we're just relocating where the pressure sits." Helen Bray An essential listen for trust leaders, MAT leads, and anyone navigating the SEND reform landscape. 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
September 10 · 1 hr 11 min
Hyperfocus: From Survival to Superpower with Emma Muir
In this episode, Dale is joined by Emma Muir, social media marketer, author, and education communication strategist, to discuss late diagnosis and whether being neurodivergent is a superpower. Emma received her ADHD diagnosis at 45, on a day when she was also told she had severely fractured her back and her mother was being rushed to hospital. Dale and Emma explore what it really means to receive a late diagnosis and why so many neurodivergent adults spend decades being offered depression medication or HRT before anyone suggests ADHD. They also have a fascinating conversation about whether ADHD is actually a superpower - and why the answer, as Dale argues, depends almost entirely on context. About Emma Muir Emma Muir is a social media marketer, author and Education and Communication Strategist at Clearcut Consultants. She was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 45, on the same day she received a diagnosis for a severely fractured sacrum and learned her mother had been rushed to hospital. Her mother passed away on Mother's Day weeks later. Emma spent thirteen years as a childminder, during which time she also founded Nurture Socials, a marketing consultancy supporting businesses whose customers are parents. She is the author of Stop Being the Best Kept Secret, the first practical marketing guide written specifically for childminders. Since her ADHD diagnosis Emma has come to understand and embrace her neurodiversity as a professional superpower. She reads rooms, spots what others miss, hyperfocuses with extraordinary intensity and brings the unfiltered perspective of a parent into every school and business she works with. She believes her ADHD explains every area of her career where she has been most successful. Emma is passionate about late diagnosis, about the power of understanding your own brain and about what becomes possible when you finally stop apologising for being different. 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
September 3 · 1 hr 10 min
Beyond the Classroom: Sensory Support at Home with Natasha Grays
Schools have sensory rooms, sensory audits, and sensory-informed environments – but what about home? For many neurodivergent children, the place they're supposed to feel safest is quietly making things worse. Today, Dale is joined by Natasha Grays, founder of The Sensory Haven, to discuss sensory support at home and how it supports regulation, learning, and sleep. Natasha explains why so many families are unknowingly living in homes that are working against their child's nervous system – through lighting, noise, materials, and clutter – and why the good news is that the most impactful changes are often the simplest and cheapest to make. Dale and Natasha explore: – Why swapping a harsh overhead light for a soft lamp can shift a child's entire nervous system. – How background noises that adults barely notice can feel genuinely painful to a sensory-sensitive child. – Why the hard floors and minimal soft furnishings that look so good on Pinterest can turn a home into an echo chamber of stress. "It's about making small, easy, practical changes to lower the sensory overload in the home." — Natasha Grays An episode full of ideas you can act on today – without spending a fortune. About Natasha Grays Natasha Grays is the founder of The Sensory Haven; a sensory design consultant, speaker, and CPD-certified Sensory Integration Facilitator helping families create calmer, more supportive home environments for neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive children. With over 20 years of international interior design experience, alongside lived experience and extensive self-education around sensory processing, emotional regulation, nervous system wellbeing, sleep, and neuroinclusive environments, Natasha helps families better understand how lighting, noise levels, visual clutter, layout flow, and sensory stress can impact behaviour, anxiety, sleep, focus, and overall family wellbeing. Natasha is also the creator of the S.E.N.S.O.R.E.E. Wellbeing Solution, a framework which underpins her approach to sensory wellbeing and sensory-friendly home design. Through sensory home audits, consultations, educational talks, and practical online content, she supports families in creating homes that feel calmer, safer, and more regulating for everyday life. Her work has been featured in The Parent Teacher magazine, and through her YouTube channel, The Sensory Haven, she shares relatable skits, sensory design advice, and realistic wellbeing strategies to help reduce overwhelm and support emotional regulation, without the need for expensive renovations or perfectly curated homes. 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
August 27 · 1 hr 11 min
Rethinking Wellbeing of Neurodivergent Children in School with Charlotte MacDougall
Coping is not the same as wellbeing – and for too many neurodivergent children in our schools, the two are being confused. Charlotte MacDougall, a neurodivergent specialist, joins Dale to discuss how we need to rethink wellbeing for neurodivergent children in school. Charlotte argues that much of what schools offer as wellbeing support amounts to sticking plasters – well-meaning interventions that treat the symptom without addressing the cause. The cause, she suggests, is an education system that demands an enormous and largely invisible amount of energy from neurodivergent children, simply to get through the day. A child who attends school and a child who is truly well are not always the same thing. Dale and Charlotte explore the difference between a child who attends school and a child who is truly well, why the end-of-term explosion so many families recognise is a sign of a battery running on empty rather than a failure to cope with change, and why asking neurodivergent children to show more grit misses the point entirely – because many of them are already using every bit of it just to be in the room. About Charlotte MacDougall Charlotte MacDougall is a neurodivergence specialist, education consultant, former school leader and founder of Nurture & Thrive. Combining professional expertise with lived experience as a neurodivergent parent, she works with parents and schools to better understand and support neurodivergent children. Charlotte is the author of Reclaiming the Narrative and Thriving with SEND: Rethinking Success for Young Neurodivergent Minds, now in its second edition, and has written for the TES. She recently spoke at the East Sussex Wellbeing Show on neurodivergent wellbeing and the impact of chronic stress and misunderstanding on children and families, and continues to provide training and consultancy for schools alongside parent programmes through Nurture & Thrive. Free guide: building confidence in neurodivergent children Reclaiming the Narrative and Thriving with SEND (book) 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
August 20 · 57 min
The Power of Play Schemas with Ange Anderson
Play is often the first thing to disappear as children move through school – but for many neurodivergent children, it may be the most powerful learning tool we have. Ange Anderson, Therapeutic SEND Advisor, joins Dale to discuss how play schemas can help adults better understand behaviour, communication, and wellbeing. Together, Dale and Ange explore: – Why play-based learning is so often misunderstood or abandoned too early. – What schemas are, and how recognising them can completely reframe what looks like challenging behaviour. – Why following a child's lead – rather than directing them – can unlock engagement that more traditional approaches simply can't reach. "Play isn't just what children do – it's how they tell us who they are." — Ange Anderson About Ange Anderson Ange Anderson is a former specialist school head, SEND advisor and author specialising in therapeutic, sensory and play-based approaches for neurodivergent children and young people. Her work focuses on helping professionals and families better understand behaviour, communication, wellbeing and learning through practical, relationship-based approaches. Ange is particularly passionate about purposeful play, sensory profiling, schemas, therapeutic interventions and the rights of children with complex needs and PMLD to lifelong learning. She is known for translating theory into realistic, meaningful strategies that busy staff teams and families can use in everyday practice. Alongside her writing – books, articles and research papers – and training, Ange delivers school training days, conference talks and online resources across the UK. Her work combines professional expertise with warmth, creativity and a strong belief that children learn best when they feel safe, understood and engaged. Ange Anderson Amazon Author Page DIR Floortime training 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
August 13 · 1 hr 21 min
A Million Families Waiting: Can AI Help? with Ben Cosh
AI is everywhere right now - but how useful is it really for families navigating the SEND system, and how do you know when to trust it? In this episode, Dale is joined by Ben Cosh, founder and CEO of Silva, to discuss AI in SEND: what it can do, what it can't, and why families shouldn't have to wait years for help. Ben built Silva after living through the reality of year-long NHS waiting lists, overwhelmed teachers, and private assessments that cost a fortune but came with no support afterwards. His own experience - three years to identify his daughter's unmet needs, and another three to get everything stable - is the reason Silva exists. Together, Dale and Ben explore: - Why AI should never be thought of as a single thing - there are now 628 different AIs, and they are not all equal. - Why none of them are doctors, and why their confidence can be deeply misleading. - How to find the right AI for the right job - and why where it gets its information from matters enormously. - Why behaviour is always communication, and how understanding that changes everything about how you respond to a struggling child. - What Silva is doing differently - and why families shouldn't have to wait years to get the right support. "Each AI is different - and what none of them are is a doctor that can diagnose." Ben Cosh About Ben Cosh Ben Cosh is the founder and CEO of Sylva. He built Sylva after experiencing first-hand how broken the system is: years-long NHS waiting lists, overwhelmed teachers, and private assessments costing a fortune, with no support afterwards. Before founding Spicy Minds, Ben built a renewable energy company that developed over £300m of wind and solar farms, became the fastest-growing in the South West and appeared in the Sunday Times Fast Track. He earlier worked in Downing Street (2001–2003) and is a former management consultant (PA Consulting), engineer (QinetiQ), and active angel investor in digital health and edtech. 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
August 6 · 1 hr 16 min
Behind the Mask: Autistic Burnout and Eva's Story with Sarah Griffiths
Autistic burnout is talked about on social media, but how many of us truly understand what it looks like - and what it takes to recover from it? Sarah Griffiths, children's author, meditation teacher, and parent advocate, joins Dale to discuss autistic burnout and the story of her daughter Eva. Sarah shares, with honesty and warmth, how Eva - autistic and ADHD, and a skilled masker for years - collapsed into severe burnout at the start of Year 6. Her executive functioning all but disappeared. She couldn't leave the sofa. The family slept downstairs for three months. And at every turn, the systems that should have helped them either didn't respond, didn't understand, or made things worse. Dale and Sarah also explore what autistic burnout actually is - a nervous system shutdown, not a behaviour or a mental health condition - why removing demands is so much harder than it sounds, and why a diagnosis alone means very little without the understanding to go with it. This is also a story of hope. Nine months on, Eva is making positive steps forward in her recovery - and beginning to imagine a future on her own terms. About Sarah Griffiths Sarah Griffiths is a children's author, meditation teacher, parent advocate and former primary teacher, raising awareness of autistic burnout and the growing crisis facing neurodivergent children and families. After supporting her own daughter through severe burnout and school trauma, she began sharing their journey publicly – leading to hundreds of parents connecting with similar experiences. Through her books, including Eva's Voice and Finding Stones for Grandma, Sarah uses storytelling, mindfulness and lived experience to help children and families feel seen, supported and understood. Her work focuses on emotional wellbeing, sensory overwhelm, recovery, and creating more compassionate conversations between families, schools and professionals. Her book Eva's Voice launched on 16 February 2026 and is available on Amazon. Sarah Griffiths Amazon Author Page Eva's Voice on Amazon Advocacy page on Facebook 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
July 30 · 59 min
What do we mean by trauma informed practice? with Dr Asha Patel
Trauma-informed practice is one of those phrases everyone nods along to – but how many of us truly understand what it means, or what it actually looks like in practice? Dr. Asha Patel, founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, joins Dale to discuss what we really mean by trauma-informed practice. "Trauma-informed practice is a way of being. It's not a switch that you can switch on and off." — Dr. Asha Patel It starts with the adult being regulated, aware of how they are feeling, and able to offer that calmness to the young person in front of them. You cannot support a dysregulated child if you are dysregulated yourself. Dale and Asha also explore why the word 'trauma' puts so many people off – and why it shouldn't. Trauma doesn't just mean the most extreme experiences. It is a normal human response to overwhelming situations, and it shows up everywhere, every day. Understanding that changes everything about how you respond to behaviour – because behaviour is always communication, and asking why someone is struggling will always lead somewhere more useful than asking what they have done wrong. They also discuss why giving someone your undivided attention is one of the most powerful things you can offer, why trauma-informed practice is not about lowering expectations or excusing behaviour, and why the biggest barrier to getting this right is often simply not knowing where to start. About Dr Asha Patel Dr Asha Patel is a qualified Clinical Psychologist and the founder and CEO of Innovating Minds, a multi-award-winning social enterprise dedicated to early intervention in mental health. Drawing on her expertise in forensic mental health, Dr Patel launched Innovating Minds in 2016 to bridge the gap between access to clinical expertise within education, health and social care. A passionate advocate for mental health equity, Dr Patel empowers frontline professionals to deliver trauma-informed psychological services to enable young people to access education, training and employment opportunities. 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
July 23 · 1 hr 13 min
Where are specific learning difficulties in the SEND reforms? with Louise Selby and Janet Goring
The SEND reforms have generated a lot of discussion – but one significant gap has gone largely unnoticed. Where do specific learning difficulties fit in? Dale is joined by Louise Selby, a dyslexia specialist, and Janet Goring, an SpLD specialist, for a lively and at times eye-opening conversation about what the shift from four broad areas of need to five areas of development could mean for children with SpLD. Together, they explore: Why cognition and learning has disappeared from the new framework – and why this is a significant oversight. Why dyslexia, dyscalculia, and SpLD maths don't fit neatly into what remains. Whether a stronger universal offer can really compensate for the absence of a dedicated cognition and learning category. The important distinction between a diagnosis that unlocks funding and one that tells a child: this is not your fault. Why quiet children who are struggling but not disruptive have always been at risk of being overlooked – and why the new framework may make this worse. About Louise Selby Louise has worked in a number of SEND settings, more recently for 11 years in the advisory service for Specific Learning Difficulties at Hertfordshire Local Authority, before becoming freelance. Louise's first book, Morph Mastery, a Morphological Intervention for Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary, was published in 2021 by Speechmark (Routledge) in 2021. Her recent two books, "All About Dyslexia, a practical guide for primary/secondary teachers" were published in December 2024 with the same publisher, and her 4th book, Morph Mastery for Small Groups, is in the pipeline. Louise's passion is in enabling, equipping and empowering staff in schools at grass roots level to meet learners' needs. About Janet Goring Janet Goring worked as a teacher for 25 years, firstly as a primary classroom teacher and Advanced skills teacher for Maths and assessment, before training as a specialist SpLD teacher/assessor and completing a Masters with a focus on supporting number sense through games. She chaired the SASC (SpLD Assessment Committee) Working Group on Dyscalculia and Maths Difficulties which produced the 2025 guidance on the assessment of Maths Difficulties and Dyscalculia. Having retired as Manager of a local authority team of specialist Literacy and Numeracy teachers in 2023, she now focuses on training in maths difficulties for mainstream and specialist teachers. Where are dyslexia and dyscalculia in the 2026 SEND Reforms? 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
July 16 · 56 min
DLD and SEND Reforms: No Child Left Behind with Jane Harris
There are 1.3 million children in this country with developmental language disorder. Most of them are sitting quietly in classrooms going unnoticed. Today, Dale is joined by Jane Harris, Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, to discuss DLD, the SEND reforms, and what it really means to ensure no child is left behind. They discuss: - Why children with DLD are six to ten times more likely to fall behind in core subjects, and twice as likely to be unemployed as adults. - The deeply problematic link between unidentified speech and language challenges and mental health - and why referring these children to talking therapies without addressing the root cause simply doesn't work. - Why children with DLD are often invisible in classrooms, quietly masking just as autistic children do - until suddenly they aren't. - How behaviour policies are failing these children, and why over three-quarters of teachers themselves say children with speech and language challenges are being unfairly punished in schools. - The government's new oracy framework and what it could mean for identification and support - if it goes far enough. - Why augmentative and alternative communication technology is life-changing for some children, and why the current commissioning guidance is working against them. About Jane Harris Jane Harris is Chief Executive of Speech and Language UK, an experienced and energetic charity sector leader with 15 years' experience influencing public policy, building new audiences, and increasing income for third sector organisations including the National Autistic Society, Leonard Cheshire Disability and Rethink Mental Illness. Throughout her career, Jane has focused on raising the profile of issues that impact people's lives - through influencing public policy, building new audiences and increasing income generation. She has helped to measurably change public perceptions of mental health and autism. She recently launched Voices for DLD, has been central to the SEND reform consultation with the Department for Education and partners, and has helped guide two schools to Ofsted outstanding ratings. SEND reform and speech and language challenges Transforming SEND campaign DLD resources for educators 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
July 9 · 1 hr 24 min
We need to talk about the neurodivergent teachers in our schools with Chris Benson
We will never have true inclusion in our schools while neurodivergent teachers remain hidden. In this episode, Dale is joined by Chris Benson, founder of Headfirst Consulting and ND Chat, to discuss the neurodivergent teachers in our schools – and why it's a conversation that the profession shouldn't ignore. Chris was one of the first serving headteachers to publicly disclose his own ADHD diagnosis. The response – hundreds of private messages from educators across the country – spoke volumes about just how many teachers are quietly living with the same experience. Together, Dale and Chris explore: – Why around 25% of teachers are estimated to be neurodivergent, yet there is almost no data, no formal recognition, and no consistent support in place for them. – What it really means to receive a late diagnosis, and why a neurodivergent identity should never become a glass ceiling. – The gap between awareness and genuine belief – truly believing that a child's behaviour is not a choice – and why this remains one of the biggest challenges in education today. – Why ADHD doesn't even have its own data category on school management systems, unlike autism. – What it means for a school to claim inclusion whilst its own neurodivergent staff feel they must mask. – Why the teaching profession's increasing compliance culture is making it harder – not easier – for all professionals to thrive. "We will never have true inclusion in schools whilst those in the teaching profession who are neurodivergent themselves remain hidden" — Chris Benson About Chris Benson Chris Benson is an education leader, writer and consultant specialising in ADHD, neurodiversity and inclusive systems. With over 25 years in education and more than 15 years in senior leadership—including headship in the UK and leadership roles in leading international schools—he brings deep insight into how schools, organisations and systems enable people to belong, contribute and thrive. Chris is the founder of Head First Consulting and NDChat. NDChat is a social initiative focused on improving communication between families, educators, and young people. It brings together academics, clinicians, educators and parents to build shared understanding and improve outcomes for neurodivergent individuals. His work sits at the intersection of behaviour, neurodiversity, mental health and identity, and is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience as a leader with ADHD and a parent of neurodivergent children. A published TES author and emerging national voice in education, Chris is known for challenging deficit narratives and advocating for high expectations, agency and system change. His work focuses not on lowering standards, but on redesigning environments so that more people can meet them. Do neurodivergent teachers get support in schools Supporting neurodiverse staff ADHD UK 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
July 2 · 1 hr 4 min
Why every school needs a SENCO on the senior leadership team with Lisa Pinkerton
If a school's inclusion strategy depends solely on its SENCO, it simply isn't sustainable – and it isn't working. In this episode, Dale is joined by Lisa Pinkerton, Head of Education at Widgit Software and former primary school deputy headteacher, to discuss why every school needs a SENCO on its senior leadership team. Together, Dale and Lisa explore why the SENCO's circle of influence is so often determined not by the SENCO themselves, but by the headteacher and the authority they choose to give. They discuss the very real tension between strategic leadership and the mountain of administrative demands that come with the role, and why inclusion by design – planning for every child's needs from the outset rather than bolting support on afterwards – leads to better outcomes for every single pupil in the school. "A SENCO with strategic influence can transform the experience of every single child in the school." — Lisa Pinkerton About Lisa Pinkerton Lisa Pinkerton is head of education at Widgit Software. Former primary school teacher and deputy head, Lisa's passion lies in developing personalised learning journeys to meet the specific needs of children with SEND. With a specialism in early years, Lisa spent many years supporting the youngest pupils in primary and could see the transformative effect of meeting children where they are at and giving them what they need to move forward in their learning. This developed Lisa's lifelong passion for the use of Symbols. She saw, repeatedly and firsthand, the benefits of using Symbols to help with comprehension, receptive and expressive language, confidence, independence, vocabulary and, unsurprisingly, behaviour. As a result, Lisa began to support inclusion on a wider level, becoming an inclusion lead and a specialist teacher in literacy difficulties. Lisa's firm belief is that, if we consider all potential barriers at the point of planning, we can give pupils a toolkit of supports that enable them to fully access the curriculum and feel truly included. When not at work, Lisa is an avid theatre goer and keen reader. Her happy place, as a qualified scuba instructor, is under the water. https://www.widgit.com/ https://www.facebook.com/widgitsoftware26 https://www.instagram.com/widgitsoftware/ https://x.com/widgit_software?s=21&t=WYBwCcJznmsfjzH62LQfXQ lisa@widgit.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-pinkerton-42148a26a/ 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
June 25 · 1 hr 2 min
It's Not What It Looks Like: Screen Time and Neurodivergent Children with Dr Daniel Weisberg
When you see a child glued to a screen, it's easy to make assumptions. But for neurodivergent children, screen use is rarely what it looks like from the outside. In this episode, Dale is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg a consultant clinical psychologist to discuss neurodivergent children, young people, and screen use. Together, Dale and Daniel explore six key reasons why screens function very differently for neurodivergent children - from the haven of predictability that games provide in contrast to an overwhelming real world, to the role of screens in decompression and emotional regulation after a demanding day. They also dig into the neurobiology of dopamine, why the anticipation of screen time can be just as powerful as the screen use itself, and the important nuance between different types of screen time. They also tackle the thorny subject of sleep - what screens actually do to the brain at night, why it's not as simple as just switching off, and why the 70mph-to-standstill analogy might make you think twice about your own bedtime scrolling habits. About Dr Daniel Weisberg Dr Daniel Weisberg is a consultant clinical psychologist and the managing director of CAYP Psychology, an award-winning independent clinical psychology service for Children, Adolescents, and Young People. Daniel worked for NHS services for over ten years. He has substantial experience of working with children, adolescents and young people experiencing health, social, emotional and psychological difficulties. After he qualified as a clinical psychologist, he worked within Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for Children's Psychological Services. He then moved to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and worked within the Paediatric Psychosocial Department. Daniel specialised in paediatric neuropsychology, a highly specialised area of clinical psychology that aims to understand how children's brains relate to their learning, behaviour and development. He worked closely with children and families who are living with neurological health conditions, genetic disorders, metabolic diseases and other health conditions. www.cayp-psychology.com https://www.facebook.com/CAYPpsychology/ https://www.instagram.com/cayp.psychology/ https://www.tiktok.com/@cayp.psychology daniel@cayp-psychology.com 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
June 18 · 57 min
Leadership in Social Impact Education with Ed Robbins
For some children and young people, the traditional school system has already failed them - sometimes more than once. What they need isn't a better curriculum. It's someone who will meet them where they are. In this episode, Dale is joined by Ed Robbins, CEO of Fresh Start in Education to discuss 'Leadership in Social Impact Education'. Fresh Start works one-to-one with young people in their homes, in coffee shops, parks, libraries - wherever they feel safe enough to connect. The goal isn't academic attainment from the outset. It's building a relationship, celebrating the seemingly small wins, and gradually inspiring a belief that things can be different. Dale and Ed discuss why behaviour is always communication, why 'they won't' and 'they can't' are very different things, and why a child who hasn't left their bedroom in weeks getting as far as opening a car door is, in reality, a huge achievement worth celebrating. About Ed Robbins Ed Robbins has been an integral part of Fresh Start in Education since its earliest days, bringing over two decades of experience in teaching, mentoring, operational leadership and social impact. Ed played a key role in shaping the company's growth, having served successively as operations manager, operations director, managing director and now CEO. Before joining Fresh Start, Ed worked as a finance manager for an independent fostering agency and spent many years teaching and mentoring both in the UK and across Asia. His diverse experience, ranging from finance and strategy to direct youth engagement, gives him a unique lens through which to lead the organisation. Holding an MBA, Ed blends business acumen with deep human empathy, aligning operational excellence with a mission to see the lives of children transformed by the opportunity of a fresh start. As CEO, Ed oversees Fresh Start's national delivery and strategic development. He is passionate about system reform, second chances and scaling personalised education that genuinely works. Under his leadership, Under his leadership, the company continues to expand its reach and impact, guided by its core values: IMPACT – Innovation, Making a Difference, Person Centred, Appreciation, Collaboration and Trust. https://freshstartineducation.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/freshstartineducation/ https://www.instagram.com/freshstartedu/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/freshstartineducation/ 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
June 16 · 29 min
*Special episode* The Tes SEND Show 2026
This is a special episode in which Dale is joined by Beverley Walters, Programme Director of the Tes SEND Show, and Jane Friswell, SEND Consultant and parent advocate, to discuss why listeners should attend the Tes SEND Show taking place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London. Now in its 34th year, the show is the flagship event in the SEND calendar, offering over 42 seminars, 29 free exhibitor sessions, six parent-carer forum sessions, and a leadership summit run in partnership with ASCL. Beverley outlines this year's seminar programme, which reflects the current climate of SEND reform, covering topics such as change management in education, school improvement, and AI technology. Jane shares her experience of attending 32 of the 34 shows and reflects on the unique sense of community, collaboration, and welcome the event has always fostered. We are looking forward to exhibiting and Dale will be recording live podcasts at the show, with guests speaking about the SEND reform, which will be released after the event. We hope to see you there! About the Tes SEND Show The Tes SEND Show is the UK's leading event for the SEND community, with over 30 years' experience of supporting front-line teaching and support staff. The 2026 show takes place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th October at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London N1 0QH. The show brings together thousands of education professionals for two days of inclusive CPD, networking, and discovery. Highlights include: 42 CPD-certified seminars from leaders across the SEND community – view the full seminar programme The SEND Leadership Summit – an immersive all-day conference for senior educators, delivered in partnership with ASCL A Parent, Carer and Teacher Forum – sharing real experiences to improve outcomes for children with SEND 3 free-to-attend exhibition theatres showcasing innovative products and services Over 150 exhibitors, including specialists you won't find anywhere else 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
June 11 · 54 min
Empowered: Student Self-Advocacy in Schools with Claire Cannon and Alice Phillips
When schools stop doing things *to* students and start doing things *with* them, everything changes. Dale is joined by Claire Cannon a national inclusion consultant at Indigo Owl Coaching and Consultancy and Alice Phillips, a Year 11 student currently taking her GCSEs and a neurodiversity advocate with Tourette's. Together, they explore what student self-advocacy really means - and why so many schools are still getting it wrong. Alice speaks with remarkable insight and honesty about her own experiences: fighting for the right to wear a hoodie; being sanctioned for not going to lessons when she physically and mentally couldn't and spending years masking at school. Claire brings the professional lens - unpicking why schools default to rigid systems over individual understanding, and what genuine listening actually looks like in practice. About Claire Cannon Claire Cannon is an experienced educational leader with 20+ years in education. With extensive experience across both mainstream and specialist settings, Claire has worked in a variety of roles including Assistant Head in secondary AP (SEMH) and SENCO across two education phases. Claire also supports others as an Educational Leadership Coach, INSET day provider (specialising in SEMH and behaviour), and SEND consultant – frequently contributing as a conference speaker. She is an NPQ facilitator and has served as Chair of Governors. Claire holds a degree in Psychology, bringing a research-informed, people-centred approach to her work supporting children, staff, and whole-school improvement. In her downtime, she enjoys taking time to reset – her spaniels happily take her for a walk twice each day. https://www.indigoowlcoachingandconsultancy.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088529101987 claire@indigoowlcoachingandconsultancy.co.uk About Alice Phillips Alice is 16 years old and getting ready to take her GCSEs this year. She has 2 bunnies and 2 naughty working cocker spaniels. https://www.instagram.com/tourettes_dino26/ 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
June 4 · 1 hr 4 min
Removing the fear of reading with Vicki Edgar
For many neurodivergent children, reading isn't just difficult - it's frightening. And without the right support, that fear can follow them well into adulthood. In this episode, Dale is joined by Vicki Edgar, Director at Fonetti and co-founder of the National Read Aloud Challenge, to discuss 'Removing the Fear of Reading'. Vicki was diagnosed with dyslexia at seven and brings a deeply personal perspective to the conversation - sharing how the anxiety of reading aloud in class has stayed with her, and what finally helped her overcome it. She also introduces Fonetti, a read aloud platform that gives children real-time visual feedback as they read, and explains how it is helping reluctant and struggling readers build confidence - without judgment, and without disrupting their flow. Make sure you check out their National Read Aloud Challenge - a free summer reading initiative now in its fourth year, open to all children aged 5 to 15 across the UK! View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Vicki Edgar I'm deeply passionate about children's literacy and confidence when reading aloud. Growing up with dyslexia, I know first-hand how difficult and isolating reading can feel — and how powerful it is when a child discovers confidence in their own voice. Now, through my work with Fonetti, the read-aloud app for school and home, I'm helping children build fluency, independence, and a genuine love for reading. I see the impact every day, both in classrooms and at home with my own son, who is dyslexic, ADHD, and ASD. I work closely with schools to support the implementation of Fonetti and the Fonetti School Portal for teachers. The feedback from teachers, parents, and most importantly, the children themselves has been nothing short of inspiring. Helping children find joy and confidence in reading aloud isn't just my job, it's my purpose. 💙 Website - https://www.fonetti.com/ Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-edgar/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fonetti/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-read-aloud-challenge/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FonettiApp/ Insta - https://www.instagram.com/fonettiapp/ 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
May 28 · 1 hr 4 min
What do neurodiverse girls need to know about romance? with Kim McCabe
Neurodiverse girls are often loyal, perceptive, and generous - qualities that are real strengths, but that can also make them vulnerable when it comes to navigating romantic relationships. In this episode, Dale is joined by Kim McCabe, founder of Rights for Girls CIC, to discuss 'What do neurodiverse girls need to know about romance?'. Kim is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years and appears regularly on BBC and Sky News as a child development expert. Kim shares her top five tips for preparing neurodiverse girls for romance, covering everything from why these conversations should start much earlier than most parents expect, to the importance of building on what girls already know about friendship rather than treating romance as entirely new territory. She also explores why neurodivergent girls can be particularly vulnerable in romantic relationships - having spent years masking, adapting, and people-pleasing in order to fit in - and why they need explicit permission to slow things down, trust their instincts, and say no. Kim and Dale also discuss the powerful role parents play as relationship role models, and why the dynamic children witness at home sets the bar for everything that follows. Kim McCabe Kim McCabe is the author of From Daughter to Woman, a parenting guide praised for its wise and practical support through the teen years. A child development expert featured on BBC and Sky News, Kim is also the founder of Rites for Girls CIC, an organisation dedicated to making growing up kinder for girls - and saner for parents. With warmth, clarity, and decades of experience, Kim helps parents rediscover their confidence and connection, knowing they hold the key to raising grounded, resilient children. https://www.ritesforgirls.com https://www.facebook.com/RitesForGirls https://www.instagram.com/ritesforgirls/ info@ritesforgirls.com Useful Links Rites for Girls YouTube From Daughter to Woman by Kim McCabe Mothers Journeying Together Parenting Through Difficult Times Girls' Net Parent Pause 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
May 21 · 59 min
Wellbeing, Culture and Inclusion with Cathal Lynch
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." — Cathal Lynch Together, they explore: Why school culture always exists - whether leaders shape it intentionally or not. How to build genuine belonging by actively listening to the views of pupils, parents, and staff. The role of executive function in behaviour, transitions, and learning - and what schools can do about it. Why structure, routine, and consistency are not about control, but about reducing anxiety and cognitive load. How to codify practice so that good work survives leadership changes and scales across a whole school. View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Cathal Lynch Education leader, coach and author of Building Belonging Cathal has extensive leadership experience in mainstream and special education, including as a National Director of SEND and a MAT co-founder. He is an Associate Education Expert for the Key, a coach, assessor and facilitator on the NPQEL and author of Building Belonging, a systematic approach to school improvement and emotional wellbeing. https://www.wbqm.co.uk clynch@esseducation.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathal-lynch-2b076a7a/ CPD SESSIONS Train with Cathal Lynch Go deeper with Cathal in one of his focused 1-hour CPD sessions — each just £10 and shareable with your whole school. https://thesendcast.com/shop-home/ 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
May 14 · 58 min
Neurodiversity and Sport: Creating Safe, Inclusive Spaces Where Neurodivergent can Thrive with Liz Day
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'. Liz brings a wealth of personal and professional insight - as a former county-level gymnast, specialist PE teacher, and neurodiversity expert who completed a Master's in Psychology at the University of Exeter in 2024, exploring mental health literacy in young people. Together, they explore: Why sport and physical activity can be transformative for neurodivergent children - and why PE lessons too often have the opposite effect. The importance of psychological safety in sports settings, and what coaches and clubs can do differently. Why children with EBSA still need access to physical activity, and how to make it happen. How parents can communicate their child's needs effectively with sports organisations. The link between physical activity, emotional regulation, and mental health. This episode is essential listening for parents of neurodivergent children, coaches, and youth sports club leaders - but also highly relevant for teachers, SENCOs, and anyone supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. View all podcasts | Visit our SENDcast Sessions shop About Liz Day Liz is an experienced trainer and facilitator, passionate about mental health, neurodiversity, and cultivating a safe environment for all. She began her career as a teacher with a specialism in PE, drawing on her background as a former county-level gymnast and lifelong love of sport. This shaped her inclusive teaching approach and continues to influence her work today — sport remains central to her identity and wellbeing. https://www.collectivelydiverse.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572518254058 https://www.instagram.com/collectivelydiverseUK/ liz@collectivelydiverse.co.uk Useful Links EBSA Toolkit for Schools Compass Panel 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.

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