- The Lone SENDCO - SEND CPD. Georgina Durrant in conversation with Gary Aubin
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Gary Aubin, author of The Lone SENDCO about SEND CPD for teachers and SENDCOs. They discuss SENDCos leading school CPD, what effective SEND CPD looks like in schools, receiving SEND CPD and the SENDCO qualification (NASENCO) being replaced by the new SENDCO NPQ. Watch this episode on youtube here https://youtu.be/aaqxtTP-ng8
Have a look at Twinkl's free SEND CPD - Teach Meets here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/q6dxv
Listen to our previous episode about Being a SENDCO with Ginny Bootman here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/bevxs or watch it here https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/16wshe
Gary's website can be found here https://sendmatters.co.uk/about/ and his book The Lone SENDCO here https://www.johncattbookshop.com/products/the-lone-sendco-questions-and-answers-for-the-busy-sendco
45m - Apr 10, 2024 - Neurodiversity In Schools - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Frances Akinde
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Frances Akinde, a former Special School Headteacher and qualified SENDCO now SEND inspector and advisor. Georgina and Frances discuss what Neurodiversity Celebration Week means to her as a Neurodivergent educator as well as her tips for making schools more inclusive to both neurodivergent learners and neurodivergent staff.
Read all about Neurodiversity Celebration Week here
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1a1a9z
Download our Famous Neurodivergent Individuals School Display here
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/np149
Read this useful quick look document that provides guidance on supporting neurodivergent colleagues, or yourself, to flourish in interviews, day-to-day working, when in meetings and more.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/w4tpx
Frances Akinde's Website : https://inclusionht.wordpress.com
54m - Mar 6, 2024 - From toilet training to toilet passes- Georgina Durrant in conversation with ERIC, the children's bowel and bladder charity.
In this episode of our Special Educational Need and Disability (SEND) Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Bethan Grant and Sarah Timms from ERIC (the children's bowel and bladder charity) about everything from more children arriving in reception who aren't yet toilet trained (and how we can support them) to the controversy surrounding some schools locking toilets at lesson time (and it's impact on children with toileting needs).
Useful resources:
- Toilet procedure poster https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1jmamv
- Toilet Social Situation https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/wdpp9
- Using the toilet resource pack https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/yb4rm
- Toilet readiness assessment https://eric.org.uk/toilet-readiness-assessment/
- Individual health care plan https://eric.org.uk/individual-healthcare-plan/
- Getting ready for school factsheet https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/toilets-and-school-readiness/
- A parent Sam (who is also an advisor on ERIC's Helpline) talking about how she worked with school staff to make toileting at school work for their child https://vimeo.com/860155964
- School Toilet Policy: https://eric.org.uk/information/school-toilet-policy/
53m - Feb 7, 2024 - Being a SENDCO - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Ginny Bootman
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to author and SENDCO, Ginny Bootman about being a SENDCO. Ginny provides advice about developing and maintaining good home-school relationships as well as practical advice on managing SENDCO workload and prioritising tasks.
Resources:
Other Links:
55m - Jan 17, 2024 - LEGO®-BASED THERAPY - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta to discuss LEGO® - based therapy. Gina explains the origins and aims of LEGO® - based therapy, who can benefit from it and how to ensure it is neurodiversity-affirming. Gina is the founderand director of Play Included® and her Brick-by-Brick® programme is the only LEGO® - based therapy endorsed by the LEGO Foundation. She talks us through how teachers can set up LEGO® - based therapy at school and gives us her top tips for getting it right.
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Play Included® Website
Play Included® Youtube Channel
Relevant resources:
Building Brick Therapy Resource Pack
Building Brick Therapy Information Sheet
Building Brick Therapy Key Word Cards
34m - Dec 6, 2023 - SEMH - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Sarah Johnson
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Podcast Georgina Durrant chats to Sarah Johnson all about SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs). They discuss what SEMH means and how teachers can best support children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health Needs. In this episode Sarah provides advice and information specifically on anxiety, Emotionally Based School Avoidances (EBSA), phobias, social anxiety and situational mutism.
Useful resources linked to this episode:
- Supporting Children with Emotionally Based School Avoidance CPD Video
- Emotional Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation: What are they, and how can we use them with learners with SEND?
- Emotional Triggers: What Pushes My Buttons Chart and Activity
53m - Nov 8, 2023 - DLD - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Louise Burton from Speech and Language Link
There are more children with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder) than there are autistic children and dyslexic children, yet DLD is still relatively unknown. In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant speaks to Louise Burton from Speech and Language Link to find out what DLD is, its impacts and what schools can do to support children and young people with DLD.
DLD resources:
Developmental Language Disorder Activity Pack
Development Language Disorder (DLD) Mind Map
Relevant links:
31m - Oct 10, 2023 - Ready Eddie Go! (Representing Autistic Children on TV) - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Nikki Saunders
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by returning guest Nikki Saunders, who shares the exciting news that her Children’s Books (The Eddie Series) aimed at families of autistic children have now become a Children’s TV series on Sky Kids!
‘Ready Eddie Go!’ follows 6-year-old Eddie who is autistic, as he navigates everyday real-life experiences for the very first time, everything from getting his hair cut to trying new food. During the podcast, Nikki Saunders discusses the importance of representation of autistic children on TV and taking a neuro-affirming approach. She shares a clip of the programme and explains how each episode, like a social situation, gives children strategies to manage new and different experiences.
Ready Eddie Go! Resources to download for your home or classroom:
Sensory and Emotional Awareness Activities
Explaining Autism to My Friends
Previous podcast episode with Nikki Saunders
39m - Sep 17, 2023 - Teacher Wellbeing - Georgina Durrant in Conversation with Dr Emma Kell
In this 'Back to School' episode, Georgina Durrant is joined by Dr Emma Kell, who shares fantastic, practical advice about teacher/SENDCO wellbeing. They discuss the importance of well-being not being an 'add on' but woven through the school culture. They also chat about the common causes of stress for teachers (including Ofsted) and Emma's top tips for surviving teaching without 'imploding, exploding or walking away'.
Relevant resources linked to this episode:
50m - Aug 29, 2023 - From 'Britain's Got Talent' Finalist to Autism Advocate - Georgina Durrant in Conversation with Robert White (*Please see content warning for this episode)
*Content Warning: This episode of SEND in the experts discusses topics which some listeners may find distressing.
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Robert White. Robert White describes himself as ‘the only Asperger, gay, dyslexic, cross-lateral, quarter- welsh, webbed-toed, hyper- sensitive, Gluten-intolerant, pseudo-genius, musical comedian there is…. Probably’ and you probably know him from his hilarious performances on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 where he gained second place. Robert discusses the difficulties he faced growing up as an undiagnosed autistic and dyslexic child and reflects on the support that school could have provided to help him.
Useful resources linked to this episode:
30m - Aug 1, 2023 - Speech, Language and Communication Needs - Georgina Durrant in Conversation with Louisa Reeves from Speech and Language UK
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs and Disability Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Louisa Reeves from the charity Speech and Language UK (formerly ICAN). Louisa provides an overview of the various Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) (including Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)). She explains how to identify children with SLCN in the classroom, the process for formal diagnosis and what teachers can do to support these children in school.
Relevant Resources Linked to this episode:
27m - Jul 5, 2023 - Have you heard of PANS/PANDAS? And its impact on children? - Georgina Durrant, in conversation with Tina Coope from PANS/PANDA UK.
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to Tina Coope, education lead of PANS/PANDAS UK - the only UK charity supporting children and families living with the neuropsychiatric conditions PANS and PANDAS.
PANS and PANDAS are a set of acute onset neuropsychiatric conditions that may include the development of OCD, tics or severe eating restrictions, alongside cognitive, behavioural and neurological symptoms.
They can cause severe difficulties with learning, attending school and being able to do age-appropriate activities.
Tina explains what PANS/PANDAS are, the impact they can have on children, the importance of spotting early signs and how teachers can support children with PANS/PANDAS in the classroom.
Relevant Resources & Links
36m - Jun 6, 2023 - Living with Hearing loss & Deafness - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Samantha baines
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant chats to deaf activist, Samantha Baines, a multi award-winning author, actress and broadcaster. She is the author of critically acclaimed children's books with Deaf main characters. You may recognise her from appearances on ITV's Loose Women, Sky News and Andrew Neil's This Week or acting roles in Netflix’s The Crown, Call the Midwife, Silent Witness and Magic Mike Live (directed by Channing Tatum). She is a regular on BBC radio stations.
They discuss tinnitus, hearing aids, British Sign Language (BSL) and her experience of being deaf. Samantha also provides really useful advice for teachers on how to support D/deaf children and young people in the classroom.
Full Transcript Available here: Click on the 'More Downloads' option to find the Transcript version
Resources linked to this episode:
55m - May 3, 2023 - Neurodiversity, Race and Exclusions - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Suzy Rowland
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant, Georgina Durrant chats to Suzy Rowland. Suzy is an author, Autism & ADHD Specialist and Speaker and founder of the #happyinschool project. Georgina and Suzy discuss Neurodiversity, Race and Exclusions.
Relevant Resources & Articles:
50m - Apr 19, 2023 - SEND and AP Improvement Plan Special - Georgina Durrant in conversation with MP Claire Coutinho
In this special episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast. Georgina Durrant discusses the SEND & AP Improvement Plan with Claire Coutinho. Claire Coutinho is Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for children, families and wellbeing).
They discuss the problems the SEND review identified with the current SEND system and the changes the government is planning to make to improve SEND support and services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as part of the SEND & AP Improvement Plan.
Further reading & resources:
- 'Over £10 billion to be invested in SEND and AP by 2024' Article on the SEND & AP Improvement Plan by Lauren Brown
- 'What do parents think about the government’s SEND reforms?' Article by Lucy Carman
- SEND & AP Improvement Plan (link to government website)
18m - Mar 8, 2023 - SEND and LGBT+ Inclusion - Georgina Durrant in Conversation with Klaudia Matasovska
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant Klaudia Matasovska discusses the intersection between LGBT+ and SEND. Klaudia Matasovska is an Associate Lecturer in Education, Inclusion and SEND at the University of Derby. She also works as a researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her research centres around LGBT+ inclusion with pupils with SEND.
Relevant Resources & Articles:
45m - Feb 28, 2023 - Working Effectively with Teaching Assistants - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Sara Alston
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant. Georgina Durrant chats to Sara Alston about how to work effectively with teaching assistants and how to create an inclusive classroom.
Relevant Resources & Articles:
Guide to Effective Differentiation in the Classroom
Top Tips for Working with Other Adults in the Classroom
SEND in the Experts episode with Abigail Gray about Inclusion
47m - Feb 8, 2023 - OCD - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Shaun Flores (please note content warning* for this episode)
*Content Warning: This episode of SEND in the experts discusses topics which some listeners may find distressing.
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, SEND in the Experts with Georgina Durrant. Georgina Durrant chats to Shaun Flores about his lived experience of having OCD. Shaun explains what OCD is, the impacts it can have on people's lives and provides advice for schools on how to support children and young people with OCD.
Relevant Resources & Articles:
40m - Jan 5, 2023 - Christmas Special with Elora Dodd - An Autistic Experience of Christmas
In this Christmas Special episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant is joined by autistic comedian Elora Dodd to talk about all things Christmas! Elora shares her lived experience of being autistic and provides useful advice about helping autistic children navigate the festive period. Make sure you listen! Elora is an autistic comedian with half a million followers online. You can find her under her name, or her Digital pseudonym “Online 1 Room Schoolhouse”
Links to relevant resources to help autistic children over the festive period:
37m - Dec 11, 2022 - Trauma-Sensitive Approaches - Georgina Durrant in conversation with Mel Fisher from THRIVE
In this episode of our Special Educational Needs Podcast, Georgina Durrant chats to Mel Fisher from Thrive all about Trauma-Sensitive (Trauma Informed) approaches. They discuss why behaviour is communication, why trauma-informed approaches benefit children, common misconceptions of trauma informed approaches and much much more.
Relevant resources:
- Thrive website
- CPD - Developing Trauma Informed Approaches
- Lanyard-Sized Restorative Conversation Prompts
- CPD - Developing Restorative Practise
51m - Dec 1, 2022
