PodcastsEducationThe SENDcast

The SENDcast

Dale Pickles
The SENDcast
Latest episode

314 episodes

  • The SENDcast

    The Effectiveness of EHCPs. The EHCP process and the SEND reform with Nana-Kofi Okyere

    26/02/2026 | 1h 14 mins.
    "We have an EHCP, so we have something to work from, but almost every local authority allocates and does things in a different way."
    Nana-Kofi Okyere
    Today Dale welcomes Nana a SEN Expert/Consultant, onto the podcast to discuss 'Navigating EHCPs: Effectiveness and Exploring the SEND Reform'.
    Nana shares his insights and experiences navigating the complexities of EHCPs covering:
    The current state of the EHCP process
    Challenges faced by local authorities and schools
    The importance of early intervention
    SEND Reform
    View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
     
    About Nana-Kofi Okyere
    My name is Nana, I have worked in SEN since 2012. I started on the ground as teaching assistant. I did that for 2 years and then did a Masters in Special educational needs. Following this I went to work in the local authority as a SEN Case officer, I worked my way up all the way to Service manager level. I started SEN bytes December 2024.
     
    Contact Nana-Kofi 
    https://senbytes.org/
    https://www.instagram.com/sen_bytes/
    [email protected]
    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nana-kofi-okyere-9425b1127_sen-bytes-homepage-activity-7290092907972157443-TZ3w/
     
    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
     
    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.
  • The SENDcast

    SEND in Later Education: The Facts, Laws, and Real Stories with Chris Lefcovitch

    19/02/2026 | 1h 16 mins.
    In this latest episode, Chris Lefcovitch, Head of Additional Learning Support at Milton Keynes College joins Dale. In this insightful discussion, they delve into the complexities surrounding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and their realities in later education.
    Post-16 education often exists on the fringes of legislation and can feel like an afterthought. Various laws, statutory guidance, and governing body frameworks come into play when young people reach their mid-teens, significantly impacting their provision, curriculum options, and the longevity of EHCPs. It's crucial for key stakeholders to be aware of this.
    "These are discussions that are being had post-16 and they're tricky discussions."
    Chris Lefcovitch
    Throughout the episode, we explore how education and SEND law evolve towards the end of an EHCP journey. Many parents and carers may not be informed about these changes at the start of their child's educational path because no one wants to deliver what might be perceived as 'bad news.'
    View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
     
     
    About Chris Lefcovitch
    As an experienced Head of Additional Learning Support, I am passionate about building inclusive education systems that empower young people with special educational needs and disabilities to thrive. 
    My career spans frontline teaching, youth justice education, and PRU tutoring through to senior leadership, SEND reforms consultancy, and national public speaking. This breadth has equipped me with the strategic vision, legislative expertise, and hands-on understanding needed to lead large teams and deliver system-wide improvements. 
    Beyond legislation and leadership, I bring a vast range of SEND-related training and qualifications covering statutory frameworks, safeguarding, equality, autism, and inclusive teaching. This foundation enables me to create and deliver impactful CPD programmes that drive sustainable improvements across teams. 
    A core strength has been building rapport and trusted relationships with learners, families, colleagues, and external stakeholders. I have collaborated with local authorities, feeder schools, and government agencies to align provision, influence reforms, and strengthen multi-agency working. My involvement in local authority strategy groups has provided valuable insight into policy-making and enhanced my ability to shape SEND provision at scale. 
    I am motivated by raising aspirations, preparing young people for adulthood, and ensuring statutory compliance. My leadership combines deep legislative expertise with a people-first approach, enabling colleagues and learners alike to succeed. 
    I continue to contribute to national conversations on SEND policy and practice while working with teams, families, and local authorities to deliver high-quality, person-centred provision. 
     
    Contact Chris
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-lefcovitch-2960262b0/
     
    Useful Links
    Schools Week- Six changes Labour must make to the SEND code of practice
    SEN Magazine - EHCPs explained
    Osted guidance - Education Inspection Framework
    Children and Families Act
    The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014
    SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years
     
    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.
  • The SENDcast

    Screens, Meltdowns and Power Struggles with Dr Daniel Weisberg

    12/02/2026 | 58 mins.
    I'm excited to share this week's episode, which I've been eagerly anticipating! Like many parents, screen time is a contentious topic in my household.
    Screen time is one of the most common concerns raised by parents, schools and professionals, yet much of the public conversation is polarised, guilt-inducing or overly simplistic. Families are often left feeling blamed, anxious or unsure how to respond when screens become a source of conflict or distress.
    Dr Daniel Weisberg, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, joins Dale in the podcast today to discuss 'Screens, Meltdowns and Power Struggles'. Daniel highlights that we need to move away from fear-based messaging and towards a deeper understanding of why children turn to screens, what function screens serve, and how adults can establish boundaries that support emotional well-being instead of escalating power struggles.
    With the overuse of screens impacting sleep, mood, behaviour, attention, and family relationships, this discussion explores the real dynamics of screen time. It addresses what children are engaging with, why screens can be both regulating and dysregulating, and how emotional, sensory, and developmental factors influence screen use.
    This episode empowers adults to respond to screen-related challenges confidently, without resorting to rigid rules or extremes, and to engage in supportive, realistic, and psychologically informed ways.
    View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
     
    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.
     
    Contact Daniel
    www.cayp-psychology.com
    https://www.facebook.com/CAYPpsychology/
    https://www.instagram.com/cayp.psychology/
    https://www.tiktok.com/@cayp.psychology
    [email protected]
     
    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
     
    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.
  • The SENDcast

    Therapeutic Effect of Birds of Prey with Angela Norwood

    05/02/2026 | 51 mins.
    Have you ever listened to a podcast featuring a guest owl? Today, you're in for a treat - twoo! Angela Norwood, Managing Director of Berkshire Birds of Prey, joins Dale in the studio, accompanied by Pumba, a vocal Tawny Owl.
    Angela discusses her remarkable journey from working as a Higher-Level Teaching Assistant specialising in autism and behaviour to founding Berkshire Birds of Prey. She explains how these majestic birds help children and young people calm and regulate their emotions, making a significant impact on their mental health.
    Highlights include:
    The calming effects of birds of prey on children with SEND
    Personal stories of transformation and healing
    Insights into body language and emotional regulation through interactions with birds
    The importance of protecting wildlife and understanding their role in our ecosystem
    Angela's innovative approach to mental well-being through interactions with birds of prey is both fascinating and inspiring.
    View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
     
    About Angela Norwood
    Angela Norwood, affectionately known as the "Bird Lady," is the founder of Berkshire Birds of Prey, a venture she started in 2017, which has become a cherished part of the community. In 2023, Angela expanded her impact by establishing a Community Interest Company (CIC), dedicated to providing educational experiences that connect people with nature. 
    With a long history in education, Angela has served as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), specialising in supporting children with autism and behavioural challenges - those who often struggle to fit into traditional educational settings. Her passion for nurturing and guiding these children seamlessly translates into her work with birds of prey, where she combines her love for wildlife with her commitment to education and inclusion. 
    Through Berkshire Birds of Prey, Angela promotes awareness of these magnificent birds while also facilitating therapeutic and educational programs that empower individuals, inspire curiosity, and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. 
     
    Contact Angela
    https://www.berkshirebirdsofprey.co.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/berkshirebirdsofprey
    [email protected]
     
     
    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
     
    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.
  • The SENDcast

    Are you a Sensory Elephant or Mouse? with Ali Neal

    29/01/2026 | 59 mins.
    In our latest podcast, Ali Neal, an occupational therapist specialising in sensory processing, joins Dale to discuss the intriguing concept of sensory profiles, exploring the differences between being a "sensory elephant" and a "sensory mouse." Ali provides valuable insights into how these profiles affect children's experiences in school and everyday life.
    Key topics include:
    Understanding sensory needs and how they manifest in different individuals.
    Practical strategies for supporting children based on their sensory profiles.
    Finding a balance and understanding that needs can shift depending on the environment.
    The importance of recognising and responding to sensory processing challenges in educational settings.
    "You might find it the other way around as well, that if you're worn out, you get overloaded more quickly because your window of tolerance is smaller."
    Ali Neal
    This conversation is a must-listen for anyone involved in supporting children, especially those with sensory processing difficulties.
    View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
     
    About Ali Neal
    Ali Neal is a specialist Occupational Therapist with advanced training in sensory processing. She runs School Sensory Solutions which provides regular and cost effective training for all educators supporting SEN and neurodivergent pupils in schools via an online learning platform. Ali prides herself in finding solutions to everyday problems experienced by children and young people at school that actually work and supporting teachers to incorporate these in their already busy days.  
    Ali  presents regularly at national level on the topic of Occupational Therapy and sensory processing for a number of organisations across the country including at both The Autism Show and The OT Show. She has written a book on Sensory Movement Breaks and has written an award winning program for developing motor skills for children with special educational needs.  
     
    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
     
    Contact Ali
    www.schoolsensorysolutions.co.uk
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolsensorysolutions/about/
    https://www.instagram.com/sensorysolutions_/
    ali@schoolsensorysolutions
     
    Useful Links
    School Sensory Solutions training membership
    Sensory movement breaks
    101 sensory circuit activities
     
    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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About The SENDcast

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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