Insightful Beginnings

SEND review

Conducting a SEND review in your school or setting will help to identify areas of strength and areas for development, including processes, data, paperwork, identification of need and collaborative working, so that you can provide all pupils with appropriate support and achieve the best outcomes for all. I offer SEND audits and reviews for individual schools and MATs. My SEND reviews include an audit and action plan, which can be used towards School Improvement Plans and Self-Evaluation Forms.

Back to index

EYFS audit

Conducting an EYFS audit in your school will help to assess what is already working well and identify areas for improvement in order to enhance provision, the environment and outcomes in your EYFS. I offer EYFS audits and reviews for individual schools and MATs and subsequent work to embed any recommendations given if required. Please get in touch for further information.

Back to index

EYFS medium term planning, assessment and tracking tool

Using the Birth to 5 Matters framework, I have developed a practical tool to support the assessment, tracking, and monitoring of your youngest pupils. Designed in easy-to-use Word and Excel formats, this tool helps staff record progress clearly and consistently, ensuring developmental milestones are effectively monitored. I have also created medium term plans for nursery and reception that are based on the acquisition of skills, rather than activities.

If you would like to see how this tool could benefit your setting, please get in touch to arrange a demonstration.

Back to index

SEND and / or EYFS preparation for OFSTED

While we, as educators, strive to provide the best possible education rather than simply “teaching to the test,” it is undeniable that the prospect of an Ofsted inspection can be stressful for staff at all levels. Ensuring that your school is fully prepared for “the call” is essential for confidence and success.

I can support your setting by conducting a detailed review of:

• SEND provision
• EYFS provision
• Whole-school quality of education in line with the most recent inspection framework

My aim is to reduce the pressure on staff and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations that strengthen practice, enhance provision, and ensure your school is inspection-ready.

Back to index

SEF and SIP planning

Have you identified areas for school improvement in relation to SEND and EYFS in your school Self Evaluation Form or do you need a further critical eye to look over your SEF and make further recommendations? If so, I can support you with taking the areas identified in your SEF and putting them as clear targets within your School Improvement Plan.

Back to index

Critical Friend

Do you have any issues in your school relating to SEND, the EYFS or your curriculum that you are just not sure about, and you need a conversation with a non-judgemental critical friend? Please contact me to find out how I can help you. I will always follow up the meeting with a written report for your records.

Back to index

Enhancing SEND Provision or Establishing a New Setting (Independent School or Alternative Provision)

Are you looking to strengthen your current SEND provision - perhaps by developing a resource base, nurture group, or specialist provision - but unsure where to begin? Or are you considering opening an Independent School or Alternative Provision and require guidance from an experienced educator?

I provide consultancy support to help you turn your vision into a sustainable, high-quality provision. Areas of support include:

• Strategic planning – staffing structures, space allocation, and organisational frameworks
• Funding guidance – identifying and maximising available financial resources
• Curriculum development – designing inclusive, meaningful, and compliant learning opportunities
• Policy development – ensuring policies meet statutory requirements and reflect best practice
• Resource planning – sourcing and implementing appropriate resources to meet learner needs

Whether you are at the concept stage or ready to move forward with development, I can offer tailored advice and practical solutions to ensure your provision is effective, compliant, and child-centred.

Please contact me to discuss your initial ideas and explore how I can support you in bringing them to life.

Back to index

Curriculum redesign

As Quality of Education Lead, I have experience in redesigning whole school primary curricular, including an adapted phonics scheme to meet the needs of children with SEND. I have also overhauled marking and feedback policies to ensure a greater work-life balance for staff. If you would like to update your curriculum or any policies to reflect the changing needs, abilities and interests of your cohort, or want to focus on a particular key stage, please get in touch for a more in-depth conversation.

Back to index

EYFS supervision

Staff supervision is a statutory requirement within the EYFS framework, yet many schools and early years settings find it challenging to implement consistently due to time and staffing constraints. Effective supervision plays a vital role in safeguarding and in promoting the mental health, wellbeing, and professional development of staff.

High-quality supervision provides:

• A structured space for confidential discussion of sensitive issues
• Ongoing professional support and reflective practice
• Opportunities to strengthen teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement

I have extensive experience in supervision and coaching and hold up-to-date training, including certification as a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). I can provide supervision as an independent service to support your setting in meeting statutory requirements while promoting staff wellbeing and effectiveness.

Some schools and settings choose to extend supervision beyond EYFS, ensuring that all staff benefit from regular support and the opportunity to reflect on their practice and discuss issues affecting themselves and the children in their care.

Back to index

SENCO support

Being a SENCO can be a very daunting role and is one where your to-do list never ends! I can offer a vast range of support to your SENCO, including (but not exhaustive)

• SEND policy
• Paperwork and record keeping
• Statutory assessment requests and EHCPs
• Provision mapping
• Intervention planning
• Effective management and deployment of support staff
• Budgeting and resourcing
• Making appropriate referrals to other services
• Parental meetings
• Identifying, observing and assessing pupils with possible SEND
• Interim SENDCo support, e.g. maternity cover or periods of high-volume workload

Back to index

Early identification of pupils with possible SEND

The 2014 SEND Code of Practice clearly states that the early identification of children with SEND should be a priority. Early identification ensures that support and interventions can be provided at the earliest opportunity. There is no doubt the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on children’s development and many children born during lockdowns are beginning their school journeys, having had limited access to medical appointments and early support services that would have been offered were we not in the midst of a pandemic. If you are concerned about any pupils and think they may have SEND, I can help you with observations, monitoring, liaising with parents and signposting where necessary.

Back to index

Early Years pupil observation and report

Once you have identified pupils with possible SEND, you will most likely need to some support with ensuring their needs are adequately met. I will work collaboratively with a child’s family to obtain as much information about their background, liaise with staff working with the pupil and then provide school with detailed reports and recommendations, which can be used to contribute to an EHCP request or assessment if needed. I also offer a similar service directly to parents (please see ‘services for parents’) as I am aware many children behave very differently in home and school environments.

Back to index

Informal parent drop-ins

Talking about their child’s possible SEND needs, development differences or just quirks can be difficult for any parent. I am happy to attend any coffee mornings or parent workshops you may have in order to address any underlying worries parents may have about their child on a more informal basis.

Back to index

Staff training

I can offer training to your setting (or multiple settings to help spread the cost) for a variety of Early Years and SEND topics including:

• Supporting SEND in the Early Years

• Developing early reading and writing
• Encouraging speech and communication
• Getting your EYFS environment right
• Adaptive teaching in EYFS
• EYFS for staff new to the key stage
• Supporting children with sensory integration differences
• Supporting children with vision impairments, hearing impairments and physical disabilities
• Supporting children with autism
• Supporting children with Down Syndrome
• Supporting children with Foetal Alcohol syndrome
• What does quality first teaching look like?
• Be OFSTED ready!
• Adaptive phonics teaching
• SEND law for SENCOs

Back to index

Prepare your child for school workshop

Many children are starting school without fully developed skills in communication and language, social and emotional development, and personal care and independence. This workshop is designed to equip parents with practical strategies to support their child’s readiness for school in a child-centred way.

Drawing on my expertise in child development and the EYFS curriculum, combined with a light touch of humour, I provide parents with actionable guidance to help their children thrive as they transition into school life.

This workshop has been successfully delivered to 17 schools in 2024 and 2025 as part of the Birmingham City Council DLP project, receiving positive feedback from both parents and schools.

Back to index

Prices 

School support packages start from £144. I offer a flexible, tailored approach to ensure the support provided meets the specific needs of your setting.

Please contact me to arrange an initial meeting. I’d be delighted to discuss your requirements and design a package of support that fits your school’s needs and budget.

Back to index