Zero Exclusion Education With Nicola Lace and Mia Casey | In This Together Ep 15

The In This Together podcast welcomes Nicola Lace, HeadTeacher, and Mia Casey, SENDCo, from Learning Partnership West CIC. They delve into the significant impact of adopting a zero-exclusion, trauma-informed methodology within alternative provision settings. Drawing on their experience at an "Outstanding" rated school, they explore how creating emotional safety and prioritizing relationships can rewire neural pathways for students with complex needs. The episode explores the practicalities of restorative practice, the necessity of staff wellbeing, and how mainstream schools can adapt these core principles to support the most vulnerable learners.

Takeaways

• Safety as a Foundation: For students who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), emotional safety is a prerequisite for any academic learning to occur.
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• Consistency and Predictability: Reliable, positive interactions—such as consistent greetings at the school door—help build the trust necessary for student regulation.
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• Reflective Practice: Moving away from punitive systems requires staff to be "reflective practitioners" who can apologize to students and hold each other accountable when triggered.
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• The "Triangle of Trust": Every student should have at least three emotionally available adults of their own choosing to advocate for them.
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• Individualized Success: Measuring progress through personalized "fresh starts" every lesson and daily "briefs and debriefs" to adjust the curriculum to the student’s immediate needs.
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Sharing is Caring

Nicola Lace and Mia Casey recommend several resources for those looking to deepen their inclusive practice:

• Masculinity in Schools by Lewis Wedlock: A look at the experiences of young men in education and helping them navigate the complexities of adolescence.
• Research by Dr. Craig Johnson: Insights into marginalized communities in alternative provision and how to improve their representation.
• Level 5 Diploma in Trauma-Informed Schools UK: A transformative training course that provides the psychological grounding for relational practice.



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Chapters

00:00 - Introduction - Nicola Lace and Mia Casey's background in neuro-inclusion.

01:45 - The "Outstanding" Ofsted - Discussing the impact of a glowing report on a non-traditional setting.

03:56 - Building Emotional Safety - Why vulnerability and apologizing to students is a leadership tool.

05:57 - Fresh Starts and Reliability - Modeling regulation and discussing behavior, not the student.

07:42 - Challenging Punitive Systems - Why students "test" boundaries and how to stay emotionally safe as staff.

09:00 - Staff Wellbeing and Supervision - The role of external supervision and massage in tackling secondary trauma.

12:18 - The PACE Approach - Using Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy. 14:41 - Rewiring the Blueprint - How one trusted adult can change a child’s internal working model of relationships.

21:57 - Zero Exclusion in Practice - Using diverse spaces like farms and adventure playgrounds to co-regulate.

24:30 - Restorative Breakfasts - Why "rewarding" a student after an incident is actually vital reflective work.

28:49 - Daily Briefs and Debriefs - The importance of team communication for daily flexibility.

32:38 - Mainstream Applications - How large schools can implement "emotionally available adults".

37:31 - The Triangle of Trust - Student-led choice in finding advocates within the school. 44:01 - Sharing is Caring - Professional recommendations for trauma-informed practice.