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The SENDcastAuthor: Dale Pickles
The SENDcast is a weekly podcast focusing on Special Educational Needs, it is an amazing way to keep up to date with all the different areas within SEN, best practices and to improve your knowledge around SEND. Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Parenting Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Understanding Epilepsy's Impact on Children and Young People with Catherine Hodder
Wednesday, 25 March, 2026
In recognition of International Purple Day today, Catherine Hodder, Head of Policy, Influencing & Youth Voice at Young Epilepsy joins Dale to discuss 'Understanding epilepsy's impact on children and young people'. Epilepsy affects around 1 in 200 children in the UK, yet 1 in 3 children with epilepsy do not get the support they need to fully participate in school life. Epilepsy is one of the most common conditions affecting children and young people, yet it is often misunderstood. Seizures can be subtle and are frequently missed or mistaken for inattention, many school staff do not feel confident responding when a seizure occurs, and as a result some children are unnecessarily excluded from lessons, sports and school trips. Catherine explains: What epilepsy is and how seizures can look very different. Common myths and misunderstandings. Practical, school-focused advice: Individual Health Care Plans, emergency medication, and how to respond when a seizure happens. The impact of epilepsy on learning, memory and mental health. How schools can improve inclusion so young people don't miss out. A reminder about the DfE consultation on updated guidance for supporting pupils with medical conditions (open until 1 May). This episode gives clear, practical guidance that helps staff feel confident supporting pupils with epilepsy - from first aid basics to building a supportive, inclusive school culture. It's full of resources and actions schools can take straight away. View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop! About Catherine Hodder Catherine leads Young Epilepsy's policy, influencing and youth voice work to improve support systems for children and young people with epilepsy across the UK. Contact Catherine http://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/YoungEpilepsy https://www.instagram.com/youngepilepsy/ https://www.tiktok.com/@youngepilepsy inclusion@youngepilepsy.org.uk Useful Links You Can Help – Seizure Support Films for Young People Purple Day – an annual awareness day for epilepsy Supporting children and young people with epilepsy Understand My Epilepsy Updated draft guidance on supporting children and young people with medical conditions 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 The SENDcast is powered by B Squared 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.
