Balance Education Consultancy Ltd

28/10/2026

I am proud to share the impact of my recent SEND Essentials training delivered for Link3 Recruitment ‘s candidates.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with every participant reporting increased confidence and preparedness to support pupils with SEND in school settings.
✨ 100% would recommend the training ✨ 100% found it relevant to their role ✨ 100% felt better prepared to support pupils with SEND ✨ an average increase of 1.8 point increase across participants in self-rated SEND knowledge with 27% reporting an overall increase in SEND knowledge.
The findings demonstrate the value of investing in high-quality SEND training so that supply staff can enter classrooms equipped with practical strategies, greater confidence and a stronger understanding of inclusive practice.
SupplyTeachers EducationMatters Link3Recruitment ProfessionalDevelopment InclusionForAll SENDTraining EducationSupportStaff

23/10/2026

✨ The Power of a Social Narrative✨

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter was finding a friendship situation difficult to navigate.

Using guidance from Carol Gray and pulling from what I have learnt from the Reachout (ASC) Autism Support Consultants team, I wrote a social narrative and created Widgit version for her. We read it together and talked through the situation.

A few days later, I checked in.

“Yes it ok. I remember the story, Mummy?”

Last night, a similar friendship issue came up with one of her friends. This time, she didn’t ask me what to do. Instead, she asked if I could print the social narrative so she could share it with her friend.

This morning, she’s headed to school with a copy in her bag to share with her class. ❤️

Moments like these remind me that social narratives are not about telling children what to think. They’re about helping them understand situations, perspectives and possible ways forward.

Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest difference. 🌱

Widgit FriendshipSkills SENDSupport Education SmallChangesBigDifferences

05/10/2026

Apparently, my best blog ideas now arrive while running to my empowerment playlist!.

This one is about using our voices, being curious, marvelling at the people who make us think differently, being inclusive by design, and why every child needs someone in their corner.

It’s also about disco balls. I believe that our job isn't to decide what a child should become, but to help them recognise the value in their own pieces and give them opportunities to shine.

https://www.balancedconsultancy.co.uk/post/be-more-disco-ball

12/09/2026

A first business brunch… and a conversation that got my SEND brain thinking!
Yesterday I joined the lovely Kirsten Chan for my first business networking brunch, and I really enjoyed it.
After most of my career being centred around education and SEND, it was refreshing to be in a room with people from different businesses, backgrounds and generations.
We were led through a really interesting conversation around AI and generational expectations. Naturally, my brain took it somewhere slightly different… AI isn't just about productivity.
Used well, technology and assistive technology can:
✨ remove barriers
✨ support independence
✨ enable different ways of communicating and processing
✨ help people play to their strengths
✨ support people to genuinely thrive
It's something I was able to pick up again later that afternoon when working with the National Society for Education NPQ SEND participants during their APPLY session.
And it got me thinking about our future workforce.
The conversation shifted from:
“Are businesses ready for AI?”
to…
“Are businesses ready for the people AI could help us include?”
Are we designing workplaces where different ways of thinking are valued?
Where assistive technology is an enabler, not an exception?
And are we making the most of the strengths of the workforce coming through?
These are conversations I’ve also been having with Joel Combes, from HR Manager and Inclusive by Design — particularly around how we can create workplaces that are inclusive by design, rather than waiting until someone needs an adjustment.
Because inclusion shouldn't be something we bolt on afterwards.
It should be part of the design from the beginning.
And perhaps that's the unexpected joy of networking…
You turn up expecting one conversation and leave with a whole new one to think about.
Thank you, Jane Vout and the team at Runshaw College, for such a great event!

07/09/2026

03/09/2026

Before we ask them to learn, do we know them? 🤍
The maths challenge might be ready.
The timetable might be ready.
The curriculum might be ready.
But what about the relationship?
Do we know what makes this child laugh?
What makes them feel safe?
What they love?
How they communicate?
What helps them regulate?
What makes them them?
This week, I've been thinking a lot about my BALANCED model:
Belonging • Acceptance • Listening • Awareness • Needs • Curiosity • Empowerment • Development
Not another checklist.
A way of starting a conversation.
A way of reminding ourselves to watch before we work it out.
Because:
Autism + Environment = Outcome.
And perhaps the first few weeks of school aren't about rushing to prove what children can achieve.
Perhaps they're about giving ourselves time to discover who they are.
I've written more about this in my latest blog. https://www.balancedconsultancy.co.uk/post/before-we-ask-them-to-learn-do-we-know-them

02/09/2026

Sometimes inclusion starts with creating a different kind of space.

Yesterday I spent time with a school that has created three new spaces to support pupils with complex needs to thrive;whilst remaining connected to their peers, teachers and school community.

Because inclusion isn’t simply about being there.

It’s about belonging.

As part of a programme of short training sessions, yesterday we explored one of my favourite subjects:

PLAY

Following my own developmental play learning this summer, I’ve been thinking even more about the role we play as adults.

What happens when we:

Observe before we intervene
Slow down and wait
Follow the child’s lead
See play as communication
Gently scaffold rather than direct

Sometimes we don’t need another strategy.

We need to watch, listen, join and understand.

Play can be connection.
Play can be communication.
Play can be regulation.
Play can be learning.
Play can be belonging.

And this is what I love about my work through ASC- bringing together experience, learning and evidence, but always coming back to the same question:

What does this child need to thrive?

27/08/2026

Reachout ASC was set up by Lynn McCann in 2014, after working as a primary teacher for many years and then for eight years in an all age specialist autism school.

27/08/2026

Last week, I spent three days immersed in Developmental Play, surrounded by practitioners who were equally curious about children, play and what sits beneath what we see.
Beginning my CREATE CATT Level 4 Developmental Play Award has left a big imprint on my pedagogy and given me a lot to reflect on.

I’ve written a little more about my reflections after those three days: the learning, the people who inspired me and why this feels so important to my work with schools and practitioners. Ultimately, it's about giving children more opportunities to play, connect, communicate and thrive. 🤍
https://www.balancedconsultancy.co.uk/post/what-are-we-missing

05/07/2026

This will be great to attend tomorrow 😍

Looking at planning for a SEND Unit through the lens of real practice?
Join this online session to explore how Freshfield Primary School has built a successful 4-class provision that connects communication, independence, learning and EHCP outcomes in a meaningful way.
You’ll leave with practical examples, ideas you can adapt to your own setting and a clearer picture of what effective SEND Unit planning can look like. Book now to join us online.
https://buff.ly/jeRq0S6