SEND TALK Podcasts
We answer your most commonly asked questions
We
empower you to make the right and informed choices for you or your child
The SEND Talk podcast is simple, easy-to-understand, jargon-free advice for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability or for young people navigating the world with SEND.
It features those that live and breathe SEND support including experts from here at SENDIASS Manchester and parents who’ve been through the same hurdles you may be facing. Each episode, together with your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, they chat through some of the most common SEND support queries.
If there’s a subject you’d like us to discuss in a future episode: email us
here.
Listen for free below or on your favourite podcast player including
Apple podcasts,
Spotify or
Amazon Music. Simply click the links or search ‘SEND Talk’ wherever you listen!
You’ll find full transcriptions of each episode below too.
Here's what some of our listeners have to say about SEND Talk
Click the links below to listen to and read about our podcast episodes
Series 1
Series 2
Series 1
Episode 1. SEND support in school
Having special educational needs doesn’t mean that your school isn’t equipped to support you or your child. In this episode we discuss what that support can look like and how to ask for it.
Joining your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull in this episode is Jill Carr a case worker at SENDIASS Manchester and Alison, a parent whose child has received SEND support in their school.
Episode 2. Why have I received a notice of consideration letter?
After an educational health care needs assessment is sent, the local authority will send you a ‘Notice of Consideration’ letter.
But these letters can prove a little confusing!
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella take you through the whys and what fors of a ‘notice of consideration letter’, why you get sent them, what they mean and how you can respond.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Episode 3. Part 2 School Meetings- Conduct and follow up
It’s OK to feel unsure about what to do at a school meeting. Should you take notes? What about when the meeting has ended?
So in this episode, we discuss what happens at a school meeting, what you need to bring, and how to follow up when it’s all happened.
Joining your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull in this episode is Laura Nardella an adviser at SENDIASS Manchester and once again Siarah, a parent who explains her experience of how she’s conducted and followed up school meetings.
In episode 2 ‘Preparing for school meetings’ we share with you the important steps you should take before conducting and following up on your school meeting. Listen in our podcast feed.
Episode 4. The EHCP Process
An education, health and care plan is something you may have heard about if you or your child has SEN. But sometimes it can be difficult to navigate all the information that comes with them.
In this episode, we discuss all things EHCP, from what they are, the process of getting one, and all the guidance surrounding them.
Joining your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull in this episode is Andrew Lomax an adviser at SENDIASS Manchester and Tanya, a parent who tells you about her experiences of the EHCP process when it came to her child.
Episode 5. The Annual Review Process
A review is an essential step in having an education, health and care plan (EHCP). They’re vital to see if things are working (or not!), if are there items that need changing, and most importantly are you or your child with SEND progressing.
In this episode, we discuss what that annual review process looks like, including when they happen, early reviews, and organising the meeting.
Joining your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull in this episode is SENDIASS Manchester’s manager, Margarette Lee-Chapman.
Series 2 -
FAQ
Episode 1. What is SENDIASS?
Perhaps a friend, colleague, local authority or school has advised that you call SENDIASS.
But just what is SENDIASS?
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella take you through the SENDIASS service and the SEND-related support we offer to young people, parents and professionals.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Episode 2. Why have I received a notice of consideration letter?
After an educational health care needs assessment is sent, the local authority will send you a ‘Notice of Consideration’ letter.
But these letters can prove a little confusing!
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella take you through the whys and what fors of a ‘notice of consideration letter’, why you get sent them, what they mean and how you can respond.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Episode 3. What are the first steps to a SEND Tribunal?
Did you know that you can appeal if you're unhappy with a decision made by the local authority about an EHC plan or an EHC needs assessment?
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella take you through the reasons why you would appeal to a SEND Tribunal, what can be appealed, and the first steps to take if you are considering this process.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Other useful Resources
Episode 4. Do I want a personal budget (draft EHC plan)?
A draft EHC plan has a question that stumps lots of people - ‘Do you want a personal budget?’
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella explain educational personal budgets as part of your draft EHC plan.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Other useful Resources
Episode 5. Can the school send my child home? (unofficial suspensions)
Has your child been sent home from school and are you unsure if it’s an official suspension?
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella explain what constitutes an unofficial suspension or an official one, including definitions, the processes and your next steps as a parent.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Other useful Resources
Episode 6. How do I check my child’s draft EHC plan?
Every child with an educational health care plan (EHC) will be sent a draft plan first. We know it’s a big document with lots of sections, so we’re here to help you check it.
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella take you through all the sections of a draft EHC plan, including where to start and lots of great advice to help you.
Have your draft EHC plan in front of you and follow along!
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Other useful Resources
Episode 7. Is my child eligible for home-to-school transport?
Your child could qualify for support from the local authority in getting to and from school.
In this episode, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella look at the circumstances and eligibility criteria for home-to-school transport, including exploring the law, policy and statutory guidance around this and the application process.
This is part of our FAQ series, which focuses on the commonly asked questions we get asked here at SENDIASS.
Other useful Resources
Series 3
Episode 1. I disagree with the named school on my child’s EHC plan – how do I appeal it?”
Did you know that you can appeal if you're unhappy with the named school in your child's EHC plan?
In this episode of the SEND Talk podcast, your host Vic Elizabeth Turnbull and SENDIASS adviser Laura Nardella guide you through the process of appealing the named school or college in your child's EHC plan.
This step-by-step guide covers where to start, the necessary information and forms, important deadlines, and more. By the end of this episode, you'll have a comprehensive overview of what to do if you're considering appealing the named school in your child's EHC plan.
Other useful Resources
Scroll down to section ‘How to complete forms for the SEND Tribunal’ and choose the 2nd video called ‘SEND Tribunal appeal form 35 Introduction’.
Send Talk artwork design by Justin Lees.