The SENDcast

Did you know that common infections, like strep throat, can cause a neuroinflammatory response affecting the brain?
Today we're raising awareness of difficult to diagnose and often misunderstood conditions – Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Tina Coope, a former teacher and parent whose daughter experienced sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms, explains how PANS and PANDAS present, why they're often missed, and what schools can do to support affected children.
This episode explains:
What PANS and PANDAS are: what they are, typical triggers, and common symptoms.
How they can mimic or overlap with neurodivergence yet require medical recognition and timely intervention.
Classroom-ready guidance: spotting multiple unexplained changes, documenting patterns, making immediate needs-led accommodations during flares, and planning flexible support during recovery.
Resources and training available.
Why early recognition, careful recording, and good communication between school and family can make a huge difference.
"You're looking for multiple unexplained changes. They are uniformly, hugely distressing across the board of those symptoms."
Tina Coope
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
 
About Tina Coope
Tina Coope is a former teacher with a Master's in Education and a rich background across mainstream and special schools. She's led specialist Autism provision and founded a Nurture unit in an infant school. When her daughter suddenly developed severe neuropsychiatric symptoms at age 7, Tina's professional and personal worlds collided. 
Driven by lived experience, Tina became the Education Lead for PANS PANDAS UK in 2021, where she created the UK's first teacher and educational psychology training course on the conditions, and developed extensive resources for educators and allied professionals. She now co-chairs the national Education, Social Care and Health Group, shaping guidance for Local Authorities.  
 
Contact Tina
https://panspandasuk.org
https://www.facebook.com/panspandasuk/
https://www.instagram.com/pans_pandas_uk/
https://x.com/PANSPANDASUK
[email protected]
 
Useful Links
Resources for Education Professionals 
Training
Local Authority Information and Update
 
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 – [email protected] 
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.

In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss 'Understanding epilepsy's impact on children and young people'.
Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life.
Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not feel confident responding when a seizure occurs, and as a result some children are unnecessarily excluded from lessons, sports and school trips.
Catherine explains:
What epilepsy is and how seizures can look very different.
Common myths and misunderstandings.
Practical, school-focused advice: Individual Health Care Plans, emergency medication, and how to respond when a seizure happens.
The impact of epilepsy on learning, memory and mental health.
How schools can improve inclusion so young people don't miss out.
A reminder about the DfE consultation on updated guidance for supporting pupils with medical conditions (open until 1 May).
This episode gives clear, practical guidance that helps staff feel confident supporting pupils with epilepsy - from first aid basics to building a supportive, inclusive school culture. It's full of resources and actions schools can take straight away.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
 
About Catherine Hodder
Catherine leads Young Epilepsy's policy, influencing and youth voice work to improve support systems for children and young people with epilepsy across the UK.
 
Contact Catherine
http://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/YoungEpilepsy
https://www.instagram.com/youngepilepsy/
https://www.tiktok.com/@youngepilepsy
[email protected]
 
Useful Links
You Can Help – Seizure Support Films for Young People
Purple Day – an annual awareness day for epilepsy
Supporting children and young people with epilepsy
Understand My Epilepsy
Updated draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions 
 
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 – [email protected] 
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.

Did you know that children with Down syndrome have a different learning profile?
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day this Saturday, Sarah Holton from Down syndrome UK, joins Dale to tell us how we can 'support children with Down syndrome to reach their full potential'. Sarah is a specialist advisory teacher and parent to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome. She shares practical, research‑informed strategies to help children with Down syndrome thrive.
Why listen?
Understand the Down syndrome learning profile (strengths like visual learning; challenges like hearing, visual acuity, and verbal short‑term memory).
Get classroom‑ready tips: use visuals, scaffold carpet time, teach play skills, and adapt materials for better inclusion.
Discover the support available.
"It's really important that we make sure that we are finding ways for our children with Down syndrome to show what they know."
Sarah Holton
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
 
About Sarah Holton
Sarah is our Specialist Advisory Teacher and leads our Early Years Development Programme. Sarah has worked with DSUK for many years developing our PEGS programme, delivering regular behaviour bootcamps and Information Sharing Sessions on topics including early reading, numbers and choosing a preschool. More recently she has been involved in the development and delivery of our Early Years Development Programme. She is a mum to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome.
 
Contact Sarah
https://downsyndromeuk.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/PositiveaboutDownSyndrome/
https://www.instagram.com/positive_about_down_syndrome/
[email protected]
https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-uk/
https://www.youtube.com/@positiveaboutdownsyndrome
 
 
Useful Links
Early Years Development Programme
Primary Development Programme 
 
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 – [email protected] 
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.

This is a special episode focusing on the new White Paper and the SEND reforms consultation.
Last week, I published my response and reflections — not just on the White Paper and the consultation itself, but also on what they mean in the wider context of the current SEND system, the Curriculum and Assessment Review, and the new Ofsted Inspection Framework.
It turned into quite a big document… about 35 pages in total. There's a lot in there to digest, and a few people asked whether there might be an audio version.
So here we are.
In this episode, it's just me, reading through my response and sharing my thoughts. Hopefully it will help you reflect on how we got here, some of the challenges in the current system, what isn't mentioned in the White Paper and reforms, and where things might go next.
And of course, I'll also touch on what this means for B Squared and the work we're doing.
I am always open to conversations, so feel free to get in contact with your thoughts.
Here are the timings for the different sections:

Section  Start  
1                     0:01:29
2                0:05:09  
3                0:09:15  
4                0:47:31  
5                1:02:41  
6                1:13:21  
7                1:22:53 
8                1:32:09
Useful links...
B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk 
Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast 
Email Dale – [email protected] 
Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
Fixing a Broken System document - https://bsquared.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Fixing-a-Broken-System-1.pdf
SENDcast Session FREE Briefing on the White paper and SEND Reforms - https://thesendcast.com/product/whats-in-the-schools-white-paper-for-send/
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.

Young carers often take on adult responsibilities, balancing school, social life, and caregiving, all while navigating the emotional impact of disability in their families. This is an increasingly important area of discussion, particularly as schools are now required to report the number of young carers within their settings for the national census.
I'm delighted to share today's inspirational discussion with Kasia Thompson, a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy – 'Young Carers: Voices That Matter'.
Kasia has developed an award-winning initiative aimed at supporting young carers, an often-hidden group within our schools. She shares her insights on:
The challenges young carers face
Strategies for recognising and supporting young carers within schools
The importance of creating an inclusive environment for students with caring roles
Practical steps for schools to engage with young carers and empower them
You'll also hear directly from St Regis students as they share their experiences as young carers. Join us as we explore how we can better support young carers, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and empowered.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
 
About Kasia Thompson
Kasia Thompson, is a Teaching Assistant and Young Carer Coordinator at St Regis CE Academy with a passion for supporting inclusion and understanding, particularly for families raising a disabled child.  
Kasia developed an award-winning initiative supporting Young Carers within a mainstream secondary school. She has been a dedicated advocate for ensuring these students feel seen, supported, and empowered—creating an environment where they know they are not alone and have people ready to listen and stand beside them. 
 
Contact Kasia
www.stregisacademy.org
https://facebook.com/kingswolverhampton
https://www.instagram.com/stregisceacademy
[email protected]
 
Useful Links
Wolverhampton Carers Team
Carers Trust
Young Carers in Schools 
Children's Society 
Sibs – sibling carers
 
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 – [email protected] 
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.