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!

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.

https://panspandasuk.org

https://www.facebook.com/panspandasuk/

https://www.instagram.com/pans_pandas_uk/

https://x.com/PANSPANDASUK

tina.coope@panspandasuk.org

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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!

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.

https://downsyndromeuk.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/PositiveaboutDownSyndrome/

https://www.instagram.com/positive_about_down_syndrome/

Education@downsyndrome.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-uk/

https://www.youtube.com/@positiveaboutdownsyndrome

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• 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/

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!

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.

www.stregisacademy.org

https://facebook.com/kingswolverhampton

https://www.instagram.com/stregisceacademy

kthompson@stregisacademy.org

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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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 this special episode of SENDcast, host Dale speaks with Steph Barnett, the show planner for the National Neurodiversity Shows. Together, they discuss the inception and significance of these events, which aim to create inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Launched in 2025, the shows are designed to provide vital information, support, and a sense of belonging for attendees, offering a unique blend of professional insights and personal journeys. With a series of four events scheduled for 2026—Cardiff in April, Wigan in June, Coventry in July, and Glasgow for the first time in September - Steph outlines what visitors can expect, including informative seminars and community engagement opportunities.

This episode emphasises the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for the neurodivergent community and highlights the show's commitment to inclusivity.

The SENDcast is a proud media partner for the event and we will be exhibiting - make sure you pop by to say hi!

• 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools - and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren't equipped to work with them effectively. We're missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning.

In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'working effectively with TAs'.

"I would much prefer to talk about 'learning support assistants' because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher."

Sara Alston

What you can expect from this discussion:

• How to improve communication and shared planning with TAs.
• Clarifying the TA role and moving away from the 1:1 "Velcro TA".
• The importance of regular appraisals and a clear line management structure.
• Guidance for educating parents about the TA's role.

View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!

Sara Alston has over 39 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding.

She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update.

www.seainclusion.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/seainclusion.co.uk/

Seainclusion@btinternet.com

The Inclusive Classroom book

Working Effectively with your TA book

• 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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.

"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!

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.

https://senbytes.org/

https://www.instagram.com/sen_bytes/

nana@senbytes.org

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nana-kofi-okyere-9425b1127_sen-bytes-homepage-activity-7290092907972157443-TZ3w/

• 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 – dale@bsquared.co.uk
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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.