Access All Areas of SEND - The podcast

For this episode, I am joined by Liz Lavender.Liz Lavender is an Interior Designer and Expert by Experience, specialising in creating sensory-informed environments that feel safe, calm, and responsive — particularly for people with sensory needs, autism, or a learning disability. Creating spaces that support inclusion and wellbeing. She brings over 20 years of experience in design, project management, and global procurement, alongside lived insight as a parent navigating the mental health and autism service landscape. Liz works across healthcare, education, and residential settings, embedding sensory-informed thinking into everyday environments. Whether redesigning a community clinic, improving a mental health ward, or co-producing a bespoke home, she focuses on creating spaces that support comfort, dignity, and wellbeing. She is also an Associate of the Design in Mental Health Network, contributing to national conversations on how design can better support mental health outcomes. Guided by the belief that good design supports better outcomes, Liz champions the idea that impact comes from thoughtful, informed choices — not simply increased spend. Her work is rooted in collaboration. She works closely with NHS England South West, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, clinicians, service users, and national design networks to ensure environments are inclusive, evidence-based, and practical.Improving environments across settings to support wellbeing through better design.We also talk about The Brook, situated at Langdon Hospital, which won an award at the Healthcare Design Awards in 2026.The design took home the award for Best Specialist Design, recognising environments created specifically to support individuals with learning disabilities and/or autistic people, whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream mental health hospital, even with reasonable adjustments in place. The Brook was designed around therapeutic spaces, specialist support, and patient wellbeing.To find out more about sensory informed design and therapeutic spaces click on the link below:https://www.theenvironmentalhub.uk/

Listen to a preview of Sensory Informed Design.For this episode, I am joined by Liz Lavender.Liz Lavender is an Interior Designer and Expert by Experience, specialising in creating sensory-informed environments that feel safe, calm, and responsive — particularly for people with sensory needs, autism, or a learning disability.Creating spaces that support inclusion and wellbeing.She brings over 20 years of experience in design, project management, and global procurement, alongside lived insight as a parent navigating the mental health and autism service landscape.Liz works across healthcare, education, and residential settings, embedding sensory-informed thinking into everyday environments. Whether redesigning a community clinic, improving a mental health ward, or co-producing a bespoke home, she focuses on creating spaces that support comfort, dignity, and wellbeing.She is also an Associate of the Design in Mental Health Network, contributing to national conversations on how design can better support mental health outcomes.Guided by the belief that good design supports better outcomes, Liz champions the idea that impact comes from thoughtful, informed choices — not simply increased spend.Her work is rooted in collaboration. She works closely with NHS England South West, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, clinicians, service users, and national design networks to ensure environments are inclusive, evidence-based, and practical.Improving environments across settings to support wellbeing through better design.We also talk about The Brook, situated at Langdon Hospital, which won an award at the Healthcare Design Awards in 2026.The design took home the award for Best Specialist Design, recognising environments created specifically to support individuals with learning disabilities and/or autistic people, whose needs cannot be met in a mainstream mental health hospital, even with reasonable adjustments in place.The Brook was designed around therapeutic spaces, specialist support, and patient wellbeing.To find out more about sensory informed design and therapeutic spaces click on the link below:https://www.theenvironmentalhub.uk/

In this episode I am joined by Tony Sammon and we talk about trauma informed practice, whether they are buzz words and how relationships can change behaviour. Tony Sammon is a teacher and behaviour specialist with over 37 years of experience working in schools. During that time, he’s been a teacher, a SENCO, a Deputy Head in a large secondary school, and the Head of a Pupil Referral Unit, so he’s seen behaviour from just about every angle.More recently, he’s worked as a trainer and coach, supporting schools across the UK to move away from rigid, punitive systems and towards approaches that are more relational, more human, and ultimately more effective.His work is grounded in real classroom experience rather than theory alone, and draws on trauma-informed practice alongside some of the most respected voices in behaviour and education.Tony is also the author of Don’t Lose Your Mind, a book that brings together stories, psychology, and practical strategies for anyone working with young people. He’s known for his honest, down-to-earth style and his focus on what actually works day to day.To contact Tony, please email [email protected]

In this episode I am joined by Tony Sammon and we talk about trauma informed practice, whether they are buzz words and how relationships can change behaviour.Tony Sammon is a teacher and behaviour specialist with over 37 years of experience working in schools. During that time, he’s been a teacher, a SENCO, a Deputy Head in a large secondary school, and the Head of a Pupil Referral Unit, so he’s seen behaviour from just about every angle.More recently, he’s worked as a trainer and coach, supporting schools across the UK to move away from rigid, punitive systems and towards approaches that are more relational, more human, and ultimately more effective.His work is grounded in real classroom experience rather than theory alone, and draws on trauma-informed practice alongside some of the most respected voices in behaviour and education.Tony is also the author of Don’t Lose Your Mind, a book that brings together stories, psychology, and practical strategies for anyone working with young people. He’s known for his honest, down-to-earth style and his focus on what actually works day to day.To contact Tony, please email [email protected]

In this episode we discuss what it's like to be a parent carer from a Dad's perspective.Often we only hear from 'mum' and we don't hear from a Dad's perspective, until now.Thank you to John and Steve for these insights.To get parent carer support find:www.nnpcf.org.ukwww.contact.org.ukIf you want to seek out support with other men to combat loneliness try:https://www.menwalkingandtalking.co.ukIf you needing to speak to someone and you feel lonely and desperate, please seek help and support from the samaritans:https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Join me with John and Steve where we talk about being a dad but also being a parent carer to a child with additional needs.If you are feeling isolated and want some support from other parent carers you can find support from:www.nnpcf.org.ukwww.contact.org.ukMen walking and talking groups could help with the loneliness:https://www.menwalkingandtalking.co.ukIf you feel lonely and isolated and you feel you have nowhere to go, click below:https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

In this episode I am joined by Sanchita Hosali, Chief Exec of the British Institute of Human Rights. (BIHR)Sanchita Hosali is the Chief Executive of the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), bringing nearly three decades of legal expertise and experience working both internationally and across the UK to advance human rights in everyday life. She has led a wide range of programmes on human rights education, law and policy development, and practical rights-based approaches, working with grassroots groups, civil society organisations, communities, public bodies, parliamentarians, and governments. At BIHR, Sanchita champions the Human Rights Act as a vital tool for everyday justice and accountability, working to ensure that human rights are embedded in law, policy, and frontline services. Her focus is on securing our human rights in law and in practice, as protections for everyone and tools for real life change.Human Rights & SEND advocacy blog series: Special Educational Needs & Disability ServicesParents & Carers Advocating for Their Disabled Children & Families: Our Human Rights Act for All the Family: Co-Design a Human Rights Support Solution: Parent & Carer Alliance CICHuman rights for young autistic people and young people with a learning disability aged 14-25: A Practitioners Guide: Partners in Care & Health | British Institute of Human RightsFind out about BIHR’s human rights training & events: Human Rights Training | British Institute of Human Rights

In this episode I am joined by Sanchita Hosali, Chief Exec of the British Institute of Human Rights. (BIHR)Sanchita Hosali is the Chief Executive of the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), bringing nearly three decades of legal expertise and experience working both internationally and across the UK to advance human rights in everyday life. She has led a wide range of programmes on human rights education, law and policy development, and practical rights-based approaches, working with grassroots groups, civil society organisations, communities, public bodies, parliamentarians, and governments. At BIHR, Sanchita champions the Human Rights Act as a vital tool for everyday justice and accountability, working to ensure that human rights are embedded in law, policy, and frontline services. Her focus is on securing our human rights in law and in practice, as protections for everyone and tools for real life change.Human Rights & SEND advocacy blog series: Special Educational Needs & Disability ServicesParents & Carers Advocating for Their Disabled Children & Families: Our Human Rights Act for All the Family: Co-Design a Human Rights Support Solution: Parent & Carer Alliance CICHuman rights for young autistic people and young people with a learning disability aged 14-25: A Practitioners Guide: Partners in Care & Health | British Institute of Human RightsFind out about BIHR’s human rights training & events: Human Rights Training | British Institute of Human Rights

Join me in a conversation with Shonogh Pilgrim.Shonogh has over 25 years of experience in the education sector. She started her career as a teaching assistant, going on to teach Psychology and Science in the counties around her home city of Bristol. Shonogh secured her first leadership position after 4 years of teaching, latterly having the privilege of being the Principal of a single academy trust in rural Somerset. Shonogh has worked relentlessly over her career to ensure that every student, regardless of ability or background is given the opportunity to be become the best version of themselves. Her work was highly praised by OFSTED in their publication ‘Key Stage 3: The Wasted Years?’ which highlighted the strength of her commitment to work with partner schools to provide the best possible experience for all students in the area. Shonogh is a passionate supporter of comprehensive education and believes that every child has the right to have a creative and enlightening education that prepares them well to take their place in society.Shonogh is hopeful by nature and believes that a seed of brilliance lies in everyone.Shonogh took the difficult decision to leave her headship in 2021 to join Whole Education as Director of Secondary networks. She is now the CEO of the organisation and brings her passion to working with school and trust leaders to transform their schools for the greater good of their children, staff and communities. She is an avid reader and loves to listen to others talk about their shared passion for education and learning.https://wholeeducation.org/

Brenda McHugh (MBE) is a qualified and experienced teacher as well as a Consultant Family Systemic Psychotherapist. Having taught in mainstream and special schools, Brenda then worked for over thirty years in National Health Service Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. There, Brenda devised and ran the first multi-family therapeutic classroom. This was designed to help children and young people presenting with complex emotional, behavioural, learning, and mental health difficulties and support their families.Together with Neil Dawson they Co-Founded of the Pears Family School London, an Alternative Provision school for children aged 5-14 with complex needs, at risk of exclusion, for which Brenda received an MBE. The Family School opened in 2014 and provides a fully integrated teaching, learning, family systemic and multi-family curriculum. It has been rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas. https://www.thefamilyschoollondon.orgCurrently she is delivering a train-the-trainer programme for school professionals on how to run a relational high-impact and sustainable model in school for parents and carers. She is also a national and international guest lecturer and trainer, please contact [email protected] for more information on the train the trainer model.

Brenda McHugh (MBE) is a qualified and experienced teacher as well as a Consultant Family Systemic Psychotherapist. Having taught in mainstream and special schools, Brenda then worked for over thirty years in National Health Service Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. There, Brenda devised and ran the first multi-family therapeutic classroom. This was designed to help children and young people presenting with complex emotional, behavioural, learning, and mental health difficulties and support their families. Together with Neil Dawson they Co-Founded of the Pears Family School London, an Alternative Provision school for children aged 5-14 with complex needs, at risk of exclusion, for which Brenda received an MBE. The Family School opened in 2014 and provides a fully integrated teaching, learning, family systemic and multi-family curriculum. It has been rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas. https://www.thefamilyschoollondon.org Currently she is delivering a train-the-trainer programme for school professionals on how to run a relational high-impact and sustainable model in school for parents and carers. She is also a national and international guest lecturer and trainer, please contact [email protected] for more information on the train the trainer model.

Join me in a conversation with Philippa Stobbs OBE.Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022. Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and, since then, has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment and disability discrimination. She was appointed as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022. Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work on a number of projects as a CDC Associate and independently for other organisations. She recently completed a series of six guides on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010, for early years settings, schools and FE colleges. The guides were commissioned by the DfE and are published on the CDC website. In 2022 she won the nasen Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children.CDC Guides for FE colleges on the disability duties in the Equality ActA guide for college staff and leaders:Disabled students and the Equality Act 2010: What colleges need to know and doA guide for FE governors and trustees:Equality Act 2010 and disabled students: A guide for FE governors and trusteesThe CDC guide and training for early years providers on the disability duties in the Equality Act:The CDC guide for early years providers:Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What Early Years providers need to know and doThe CDC training for early years providers:Guide and training package for early years providers on the disability duties in the Equality Act

Full episode out 4th March 05:15.Join us for a conversation with Philippa Stobbs OBE. Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022. Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and, since then, has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment and disability discrimination. She was appointed as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022. Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work on a number of projects as a CDC Associate and independently for other organisations. She recently completed a series of six guides on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010, for early years settings, schools and FE colleges. The guides were commissioned by the DfE and are published on the CDC website. In 2022 she won the NASEN Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children. A guide for schools Disabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to do Disabled children and the Equality Act 2010 What teachers need to know and what schools need to do.pdf A guide for school governors and trustees Equality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: a guide for governors and trustees Equality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: A guide for governors and trustees Accessibility planning for schools The Equality Act 2010 and accessibility planning: a handbook for schools Accessibility plans and the Equality Act 2010 A handbook for schools.pdf Training for schools Training for schools on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010 Guides and training packages for schools on the Disability duties in the Equality Act

Join us for a conversation with Philippa Stobbs OBE.Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022.Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and, since then, has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment and disability discrimination. She was appointed as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022.Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work on a number of projects as a CDC Associate and independently for other organisations. She recently completed a series of six guides on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010, for early years settings, schools and FE colleges. The guides were commissioned by the DfE and are published on the CDC website.In 2022 she won the NASEN Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children.A guide for schoolsDisabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to doDisabled children and the Equality Act 2010 What teachers need to know and what schools need to do.pdfA guide for school governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: a guide for governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: A guide for governors and trusteesAccessibility planning for schoolsThe Equality Act 2010 and accessibility planning: a handbook for schoolsAccessibility plans and the Equality Act 2010 A handbook for schools.pdfTraining for schoolsTraining for schools on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010Guides and training packages for schools on the Disability duties in the Equality Act

Join us for a conversation with Philippa Stobbs OBE.Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022.Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and, since then, has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment and disability discrimination. She was appointed as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022.Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work on a number of projects as a CDC Associate and independently for other organisations. She recently completed a series of six guides on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010, for early years settings, schools and FE colleges. The guides were commissioned by the DfE and are published on the CDC website.In 2022 she won the NASEN Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children.A guide for schoolsDisabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to doDisabled children and the Equality Act 2010 What teachers need to know and what schools need to do.pdfA guide for school governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: a guide for governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: A guide for governors and trusteesAccessibility planning for schoolsThe Equality Act 2010 and accessibility planning: a handbook for schoolsAccessibility plans and the Equality Act 2010 A handbook for schools.pdfTraining for schoolsTraining for schools on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010Guides and training packages for schools on the Disability duties in the Equality Act

Join us for a conversation with Philippa Stobbs OBE.Philippa’s professional background is in teaching and school inspection work. Working with the Council for Disabled Children, in 1992 she founded the Special Educational Consortium to champion entitlement for children with SEN in the Education Act 1993. Since then, she has led a growing policy consensus that has championed disabled children and young people and those with SEN in parliament and with national government. She has designed and created highly successful partnership projects developing inclusion with local authorities, parent carer groups, the voluntary sector, schools and early years settings. She has produced a wide range of guidance and materials explaining complex legislation in practical terms. She designed, developed and led a multi-level, DfE-funded Early Years SEN and Disability national partnership programme 2016-2022.Philippa was seconded to the DfE as SEN and disability professional adviser from 2008-2010 and, since then, has continued to advise DfE on a wide range of policy areas including funding, assessment and disability discrimination. She was appointed as the National Coordinator for England with the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education 2014-2022.Philippa has nationally recognised expertise and, until her recent retirement, led the education work at the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), as Assistant Director, based at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). She continues to work on a number of projects as a CDC Associate and independently for other organisations. She recently completed a series of six guides on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010, for early years settings, schools and FE colleges. The guides were commissioned by the DfE and are published on the CDC website.In 2022 she won the NASEN Person of the year award and, in 2023, was awarded an OBE for services to disabled children.A guide for schoolsDisabled Children and the Equality Act 2010: What teachers need to know and what schools need to doDisabled children and the Equality Act 2010 What teachers need to know and what schools need to do.pdfA guide for school governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: a guide for governors and trusteesEquality Act 2010 and disabled pupils: A guide for governors and trusteesAccessibility planning for schoolsThe Equality Act 2010 and accessibility planning: a handbook for schoolsAccessibility plans and the Equality Act 2010 A handbook for schools.pdfTraining for schoolsTraining for schools on the disability duties in the Equality Act 2010Guides and training packages for schools on the Disability duties in the Equality Act

We are joined by Tina Coope - Education Lead for Pans and Pandas UK, the organisation behind sharing information around these conditions.PANS PANDAS UK, the only UK charity supporting children, young people and their families affected by these conditions, provides trusted health information, school focused guidance including CPD accredited teacher training and an individual healthcare plan template to support education settings recognise symptoms and plan appropriate support.Practitioners can also access both dedicated education materials and health information, including a free online CPD‑accredited MIMS training module relevant for all health professionals. https://panspandasuk.org/what-are-pans-and-pandas/

We are joined by Tina Coope - Education Lead for Pans and Pandas UK, the organisation behind sharing information around these conditions.PANS PANDAS UK, the only UK charity supporting children, young people and their families affected by these conditions, provides trusted health information, school focused guidance including CPD accredited teacher training and an individual healthcare plan template to support education settings recognise symptoms and plan appropriate support.Practitioners can also access both dedicated education materials and health information, including a free online CPD‑accredited MIMS training module relevant for all health professionals. https://panspandasuk.org/what-are-pans-and-pandas/

In this episode we talk with Sara Lewis, Founder of Inclusion at Heart - a Bristol based personalised tutoring and SEND support service.Sara has an in-depth career supporting children and young people for numerous years in mainstream primary schools and a qualified SENCo, who has over 13 years experience working in SEND, covering Early Years through to Key Stage 4., with expertise stretching to alternative provision. She has also spent 3 years working in Dubai in an international British school.Passionate about inclusion, she has personal experience of what inclusive and accessible education should be. Sara's mission is simple, to support families like her own, and to put inclusion at the heart of education, empowering students to reach their full potential.https://inclusionatheart.wixsite.com/inclusion-at-heart

In this episode we talk with Sara Lewis, Founder of Inclusion at Heart - a Bristol based personalised tutoring and SEND support service.Sara has an in-depth career supporting children and young people for numerous years in mainstream primary schools and a qualified SENCo, who has over 13 years experience working in SEND, covering Early Years through to Key Stage 4., with expertise stretching to alternative provision. She has also spent 3 years working in Dubai in an international British school.Passionate about inclusion, she has personal experience of what inclusive and accessible education should be.Sara's mission is simple, to support families like her own, and to put inclusion at the heart of education, empowering students to reach their full potential.https://inclusionatheart.wixsite.com/inclusion-at-heart

So what is a parent carer? - Extended full length version.What does that even mean? We look at first hand experiences of 4 parent carer guests who talk about relationships, friendships, what life is like once you find out your child has additional needs and the art of letting go of the expectations that you had when your child was born or as they grow up. A perfect episode for those who have just discovered that their child has additional needs, or for someone who has met a parent that has a child with additional needs and want to understand what it can be like, or for someone who has been a parent with a child with additional needs and are lost, or feel alone.

Listen to the preview of S1 Ep1 of Access all Areas of SEND - The Podcast. - What is a Parent Carer?