With a new school term comes a new season of the SEND Network Podcast! In our first episode of 2025, Izzy Felton is joined by Simon Airey. Izzy and Simon discuss neurodivergent play, covering: Open-ended play Allowing children to play their way And using observations to plan play opportunities Simon also answers questions submitted by our SEND Netw…

In our final episode before the holidays, Izzy is joined by Jane Green MBE. They discuss emotional based school avoidance, and the link between neurodivergence and joint hypermobility conditions. Jane also answers questions submitted by our SEND Network members! Listen to the end to hear what she has to say. If you would like to ask future guests q…

Gary Aubin returns for the second time this series, to discuss how SENCOs can best utilise and support the teaching assistants in their school. Including: Tapping into you TAs interests and specialties Looking at the EEF's Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants guide How to support them in their role Resources Check out the EEF's Making Best Use of…

Since COVID, attendance in school has been on the decline. With new measures being implemented in an attempt to get more children back in school, Suzy Rowland joins Izzy on the podcast to discuss the deeper reasons students may not be in school. During the episode, Suzy covers: The five main groups of children that are most likely to be school avoi…

Since we began the podcast, ADHD has been mentioned throughout. So it only felt right to spend a whole episode talking about it! Izzy is joined by Lynn McCann, who takes us through some strategies that SEND practitioners can use to help students in the classroom with ADHD. Including: Sensory and movement breaks Scaffolding executive functioning Sel…

This year, the SEND Network podcast returned to the Tes SEND Show! This time, Izzy caught up with speakers and exhibitors on the day, to discuss a wide range of topics within SEND. Including: Inclusive reading frameworks ADHD in early years Autism in girls Assitive technology in SEND Thanks to all the speakers and exhibitors that spoke to us (in or…

This week on the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by RDI consultant Andreja Stefulj. Andrea explores empowerment, self regulation and collaboration between SENCO, teacher and parent to support a child with SEND in school. This episode looks at: How changing your mentality can make you a better educator How opening up can help mental wellbeing o…

SEND law and EHCPs can often feel slightly confusing but SEND and EHCP consultant Garry Freeman is here to help! In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Garry and Izzy discuss SEND law, the role of a SENCO when creating an EHCP and debunking some EHCP myths. Here are a few links to pieces of legislation that Garry referred to in the episode: Y…

Welcome back for season five! We can't quite believe we've reached the fifth season of the SEND Network series already. To celebrate, this episode sees the return of our first ever guest Gary Aubin. In this episode, Gary and Izzy discuss helpful tasks that can help start your year as a SENCo right. The episode covers: Getting to know your SEND regi…

As The SEND Network Podcast reaches it's fifth season, we look back at our episodes so far and provide you with some of our experts top tips for working in the SEND sector. From time management to multi-sensory learning, unmasking to supporting neurodiverse staff. Discover the best advice our experts have had to offer throughout our 26 episodes! Th…

As season four of the SEND Network Podcast comes to a close, Izzy is joined by Hester Richardson to discuss the often misunderstood condition Multi Sensory Impairment (also known as deafblindness). In the episode, Hester highlights: What MSI is and how to spot it Working with the families of children with MSI Improving communication and accessibili…

Just as her new book hits the shelves, author and former teacher/SENDCO Georgina Durrant joins Izzy to discuss emotional regulation skills in primary school. Topics covered in this episode include: The current problems with the SEND system What it can look like if a child is struggling with emotional regulation Healthy strategies to deal with emoti…

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Catrina Lowri, a Neurodiversity and Inclusion consultant with lived experience working as a neurodivergent teacher, employee and employer. They discussed how to support neurodiverse teachers in your school. We covered a range of topics, including: Universal support for all teachers Movi…

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, Izzy is joined by Speech and Language Therapist, Juliet Leonard. They discuss practical takeaways for supporting children with speech, language and communication needs (or SLCN). The key areas covered are: Identifying SLCN Universal approaches Targeted Support And more information about what Speech and L…

In this episode, we’re joined by sensory specialist Joanna Grace to discuss hidden sensory difficulties in the classroom. This podcast episode features discussion on: How a classroom setting can affect a child’s sensory needs Visual processing differences Strategies to use in the classroom There are many sensory processing differences out there, so…

Welcome back for season FOUR of the SEND Network Podcast! It’s no secret that being a SENCO can be stressful as well as at times a lonely job. Sometimes you may be so focused on your students learning and wellbeing, that you neglect your own mental health needs. As part of Stress Awareness Month, Lorraine Petersen provides tips on how to look after…

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week! To mark this important week, we are joined by friend of the podcast, Cheryl Warren. Cheryl and Izzy discuss the importance of celebrating neurodiversity and how to be a neuroaffirming educator and SENCO. This is the final episode of series three, so thanks for coming along! Make sure you keep an eye on the SEND…

For this episode, Izzy is joined by Duncan Casburn, aka PDA Dad UK, to discuss unmasking neurodivergence in the classroom. Many neurodivergent people mask as a way to disguise parts of themselves to better fit in with those around them. This episode looks at: The effects of masking How to encourage neurodivergent students to unmask Pathological Dem…

This episode of the SEND Network Podcast tackles intersectionality between race and SEND. This is part two of our conversation with Frances, in which we discuss positive action that educators and schools can take to help tackle discrimination against a student's race and disability. Topics discussed in this episode include: Unconscious bias A diver…

This episode of the SEND Network Podcast tackles intersectionality between race and SEND. Inclusivity is a major talking point within education. However, sometimes this doesn’t materialise for pupils from ethnic minorities, especially when in need of additional support. Frances Akinde joins Izzy Felton to explore why this is, what it means for stud…

For episode two of series three, Sharon Smith joins host Izzy Felton to discuss including children with Down’s syndrome in the classroom. Sharon advises ways to implement a whole school inclusive culture and provides insight into her daughter's experiences in a mainstream school. The episode breaks whole school inclusivity into three sections: Incl…

The SEND Network podcast is back for a third season! Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway joins host Izzy Felton to discuss how to support children who have difficulties with maths, also known as dyscalculia. Tracy explains the what, where and why of dyscalculia, and then focuses on the different strategies educators can use to support children and young peopl…

To wrap up Season 2 of the SEND Network Podcast, India speaks to Dr Susie Nyman about multi-sensory learning and how she creatively teaches her students science. Susie explores how SENDCOs can use props to help teach students with SEND in a multi-sensory manner, even with items found in a charity shop, and shares some specific techniques listed in …

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, India speaks to Nicholas Prempeh about the transition for students with SEND into post-16 education. They explore the challenges young people face and how SENCOs, teachers and practitioners can support their students going through this transition. Nicholas explains the importance of getting the right sup…

This is a special bonus episode of the SEND Network Podcast! Recently, the SEND Network were lucky enough to attend the Tes SEND Show. Izzy Felton caught up with some of the speakers and exhibitors at the show. To give you insight into what went on, whether you attended or not, we've put together a compilation of what they had to say. Speakers feat…

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, India and Kate speak about identifying the needs of children with SEND. SENCOs and the wider school need a mindset of curiosity in order to help children get the support they need and thrive in the classroom. Kate's key points on identifying what SEND support a child needs includes: Using the assessment …

In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, India is joined by educational psychotherapist Angela Greenwood. They discuss supporting children to be safe to learn. Angela offers pointers on how practitioners can nurture relationships with SEND children and children who have experienced trauma. Angela notes that to create a secure base for learning,…

The SEND Network podcast is back for a second season and to kick things off, India is joined by Kate Browning to discuss three ways that SENCOs can manage their time. These include: 1. How you plan out your year as a SENCO - which aspects of your SENCO role can you plan for over the year? 2. How leadership for SEND is distributed across the school …

The Tes SEND Show is for anyone and everyone who works with children with special educational needs and disabilities. This year it will be held on the 13th and 14th of October at the Business Design Centre in London. Registrations are open now! In the season finale of the SEND Network Podcast, India speaks to the director of the flagship Tes SEND S…

When supporting children with SEND, parents and practitioners must work collaboratively and compassionately. In this episode of the SEND Network Podcast, India and Jo speak about how practitioners can best support parents and carers at each point of their journey. Jo's parent/carer journey: 1. Realisation 2. Information gathering 3. Enquiries 4. Em…

By having regular, meaningful experiences with language, a child is given the opportunity to make choices, express themselves, and better communicate how they feel. Reading is an access point to a world of potential and in this episode, Dr Sarah Moseley talks to India about how we can best encourage children to engage with language by creating an i…

How can educators create a culture of strength based, neuro-affirming practice? In the final part of our 'supporting neurodivergent children' series with Cheryl Bedding, India and Cheryl discuss the importance of consistency within a setting and throughout the unique journey of each child. Cheryl's 3 main take aways from this conversation are: 1. E…

Vicarious trauma is sometimes referred to as secondary trauma and it is understood to be the emotional residue felt from forming empathic relationships. Working in SEND can mean being exposed to high levels of trauma and in this episode, Dr Asha Patel talks to India about how the cost of caring can be managed. Asha's main takeaways from this episod…

In Part 2 of our conversation with Cheryl Bedding, discussing 'The 3Cs of supporting neurodivergent children', we are discussing the importance of consideration. Cheryl speak to India about what we need to consider when creating inclusive and supportive spaces. This includes the look and feel of environments, the creation of visual routines, the po…

Everything starts with making a connection and in part one of The SEND Network's series on supporting neurodivergent children with Cheryl Bedding, India and Cheryl discuss how practitioners can make these foundational connections to best support children in their care. The episode focuses on: 1. Getting to know a child and not a diagnosis 2. Creati…

In this debut episode, Gary and India discuss three practical ways that SENDCOs can increase their whole school impact. These include: 1. Measuring impact and prioritising impactful tasks 2. Supporting the leadership of others 3. Developing effective SEND systems. About Gary Aubin Gary is the head of SEND for a Multi Academy Trust, and has worked a…