No Child is Missed: How to Identify SEND

Liberation: "the action and reflection of men and women upon their world in order to transform it."

Paulo Freire

Conversations with leaders and changemakers working to improve the lives of children and young people

Podcast Trailer: What's the series about?

A whistle stop guide to the podcast series No Child is Missed: How to Identify SEND. Hosted by Hannah Moloney, she chats with leaders and changemakers working to improve the lives of children and young people through accurate identification of need.

Episode 1: What is screening? And how can it help?

In this episode, Hannah introduces the concept of screening: what we should look for, when we could do it and why it's important. A SENCO and specialist assessor who has worked in a variety of different settings and sectors, across the 2-18 journey, Hannah explains why screening is perhaps the single most important thing a SENCO can introduce to improve inclusion within their setting.

Episode 2: What does a primary SENCO think about the importance of screening?

Hear from Naomi, a primary SENCO, who has already started to embed the screening process in her school: things to think about and prepare for, and some of the benefits and exciting outcomes so far. We also discuss her research into SENCO training and CPD and what the future might look like for SEND provision in schools.

Episode 3: What does a secondary SENCO think about the importance of screening?

Dr Emily McGhee is a secondary SENCO and expert in the access arrangements system. Our conversation covers the screening process and its importance in relation to equity of exam experience, levelling the playing field between the private and state sectors.

Episode 4: Needs not labels... the new frontier?

Professor Joni Holmes is Professor of Psychology and Dean of Research at the University of East Anglia, and Senior Affiliated Scientist at the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge. Having led on the CALM study, which has influenced so much of Hannah's practice and book, they discuss the difference between diagnosis and dimensions, as approaches to understanding and supporting the needs of children and young people.

Episode 5: Visual processing... are you seeing needs clearly?

Katrina Turnbull is an experienced optometrist who works to pioneer with approaches that support visual stress and improve functional vision. Join Hannah and Katrina to hear about how vision can be such a barrier to learning and support that can significantly improve reading confidence and accuracy.

Episode 6: Colour blindness: #1ineveryclassroom

Catch up with Hannah as she talks with Marie Difolco, the mother of a severely colourblind son who's written a book to help make the world more inclusive for those who see the world through a different colour spectrum. With one in twelve boys and one in 200 girls affected, this topic is an important - but often underrated - one in schools today.

Episode 7: Autism, sensory processing and the rise of the TikTok diagnosis!

In this episode, Hannah talks to Conor McDonagh, Specialist Occupational Therapist, Sensory Integration Practitioner and social media guru, as they discuss the challenges of accurately identifying autism and the impact sensory support can make.

Episode 8: Improving attendance and wellbeing in school for those with chronic health conditions

Dr Ben Sinclair is a GP who runs a national clinic group supporting people with complex medical conditions, including children and young people experiencing Long Covid. At the forefront of clinical practice, our conversation covers his pioneering approach to healing using functional medicine, complex pain management and nutrition to help recovery.

Episode 9: Chronic Health conditions in schools

Join Hannah as she chats with Dr Simon Pini about the INSCHOOL research project which explored pupils' experiences of managing chronic health conditions in school. They discuss the common barriers faced and some great strategies which staff can use to help.

Episode 10: The future of education and SEND

In this episode, Hannah and Dr Anne Heavey, Director of Insights at the Ambition Institute chat about the future of SEND. Old mates from the National SENCO Workload Survey days, they enjoy reflecting on the role of the SENCO; what we've learnt over the past few years and how the future of education might look different in the years to come.

Episode 11: Behind the Screens

Hear Professor Adam Boddison OBE interview Hannah about the writing process and how the book was shaped over time. She talks about the experience and rationale for writing and her hopes for the book and this website in the years to come.