Opogo Community

PANS & PANDAS: The Health Condition You Need to Understand
2024-11-26 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
Join us on Tuesday 26 November at 4.00pm – 5.00pm for the LEARN LIVE webinar ‘PANS & PANDAS: The Health Condition You Need to Understand’
PANS and PANDAS are conditions that often appear very suddenly and affect the physical and mental health of CYP. They develop in the wake of common infections (such as Covid-19, chicken pox, influenza, or strep A in PANDAS cases), when the infection subsequently causes a misdirected immune and/or neuroinflammatory response.
Why is the teacher training needed?
PANS and PANDAS diagnoses are on the rise thanks to recent progress in the medical field. Both PANS and PANDAS have been recognised as discrete diseases by the NHS. Multi-disciplinary professionals are currently working nationally to advance clinical care, and to raise awareness across the board of education, social care and health professionals.
Both PANS and PANDAS can have a crippling impact on a CYPs education, due both to their sudden onset and the wide range of areas they can affect. Unlike other conditions that show gradual signs, these conditions can cause abrupt and severe unexpected learning difficulties. Limited awareness amongst professionals, coupled with symptom overlap with Autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders for example is causing low levels of wellbeing and poor educational outcomes for CYP living with these conditions.
Who should attend the training?
All relevant education and related professionals. PANS PANDAS UK supports a whole school and community approach for supporting CYP with PANS or PANDAS.

<

Register now

A Guide to Learning Support & Teaching Assistant Wellbeing
2024-12-12 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for an insightful webinar on December 12th from 4 – 5pm presented by Lynn How, a renowned expert in the field of Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCO). With a vast network of around 10,000 SENCOs through her popular ‘Sweary SENCO Group’ on Facebook, Lynn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this session.
Lynn is a prolific content creator, having published numerous blogs, produced a variety of YouTube guides, and authored several books. Her dedication to supporting learning assistants and teaching staff is unparalleled.
In this webinar, Lynn will delve into the crucial aspects of wellbeing for learning support and teaching assistants. Attendees will gain valuable insights into:
Effective strategies for maintaining mental and emotional health
Practical tips for managing workload and stress
Techniques for fostering a supportive and positive work environment
Resources and tools to enhance personal and professional wellbeing
This session is designed to empower learning support and teaching assistants with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in their roles. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in the SENCO community.
Register now to secure your spot and take the first step towards enhancing your wellbeing and professional growth.

<

Register now

Embedding SEMH into the Culture of your School: A Pragmatic approach for Headteachers and SLT
2025-01-07 16:00 - 17:00
Join us on 7th January from 4-5pm for an insightful webinar titled ‘Embedding SEMH into the Culture of your School: A Pragmatic Approach for Headteachers and SLT’.
This session is designed specifically for aspiring and existing school leaders, including headteachers and senior leadership teams (SLT), who are committed to fostering a positive and supportive environment in their schools.
Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) is an increasingly important aspect of education, with a significant impact on students’ well-being and academic success. However, integrating SEMH into the fabric of a school’s culture can be a challenging task. This webinar, led by Heather Lucas, an experienced SEMH Support Specialist, will provide a practical, actionable approach to embedding SEMH into the daily life of your school.
Who is our presenter?
Heather Lucas brings a wealth of experience and expertise in SEMH, having worked with a wide range of schools to improve their mental health provision. Her pragmatic approach is grounded in real-world experience, ensuring that the strategies and insights shared are both effective and implementable, regardless of the unique challenges faced by your school.
What will you hear about?
During the webinar, Heather will explore the essential components of an SEMH-inclusive culture, offering guidance on how to assess your current school environment and identify areas for improvement. She will discuss the critical role of leadership in modelling and promoting SEMH values, as well as how to engage staff, students, and parents in this cultural shift.
The session will also cover practical steps for developing and sustaining an SEMH culture, including policy development, staff training, and the integration of SEMH practices into the curriculum. Heather will share case studies and examples of successful SEMH initiatives, providing inspiration and insight into what works in different school settings.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with Heather through a Q&A session, where you can seek advice on specific challenges or scenarios relevant to your school. This interactive element ensures that the webinar is tailored to the needs and concerns of those attending, offering personalised support and guidance.
By the end of this webinar, you will have a clearer understanding of how to embed SEMH into your school’s culture, with practical strategies and tools that you can begin implementing immediately. Whether you are just beginning your journey towards a more SEMH-inclusive environment or looking to refine and enhance existing practices, this session will provide valuable insights and direction.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert in the field and take concrete steps towards creating a supportive, thriving school community where the social, emotional, and mental health of every student is prioritised. Register today to secure your place and ensure your school is equipped to meet the SEMH needs of all its students.

<

Register now

Making Sense of Autism
2025-01-21 15:30 - 17:00
Join us for a webinar with the Autism Education Trust on January 21st 3.30pm-5.00pm. We are delighted to be partnered with the AET. This is a webinar not to be missed.
This webinar is an awareness-raising module that introduces autism and the Three Areas of Difference: Social Understanding and Communication, Flexibility, Information Processing and Understanding and Sensory Processing and Integration. We explore the Three Areas of Difference in terms of strengths and support needs and identify some initial reasonable adjustments that need to be considered when supporting autistic pupils.
The aims
The aims of this module are:
To extend your understanding of how autism affects pupils in school.
To increase your expertise in recognising a pupil’s individual strengths and differences.
To develop your skills in identifying barriers to learning for autistic pupils.
To develop your understanding of what reasonable adjustments need to be made to support autistic pupils in their setting.
Learning objectives
After completing the module, you will be able to:
Understand that autism is a difference rather than a deficit or disorder.
Recognise the Three Areas of Difference and how these can affect autistic pupils.
Listen to and learn from the perspectives of autistic pupils and their parents/ carers.
Reflect on your practice and implement reasonable adjustments to support autistic pupils.

<

Register now

Developing the Writing Skills of Children with Autism
2025-02-25 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for an insightful and empowering webinar on February 25th from 4- 5pm. Unlock the potential of young writers with autism in our upcoming webinar, “Developing the Writing Skills of Children with Autism.” This session is designed to equip educators, parents, and caregivers with effective strategies to support and enhance the writing abilities of children on the autism spectrum.
Key Topics:
Understanding the unique challenges and strengths in writing for children with autism
Practical techniques to foster writing skills
Creating an inclusive and supportive writing environment
Utilising tools and resources to aid writing development
About our Presenter
Nicola Musgrove is a renowned expert in the field of autism, bringing a wealth of experience from both her professional and personal life. With years of experience in the classroom and extensive research into autistic behaviors, Nicola has a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths associated with autism.
As the mother of two autistic children, Nicola speaks with authenticity, compassion, and a profound knowledge that resonates with parents, educators, and young people alike. Her unique perspective combines professional expertise with personal insights, making her an exceptional guide for this important conversation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Nicola’s expertise and gain practical tools to support the young people in your life. Register now to secure your spot!

<

Register now

Supporting Young People to Understand their Autistic Identity
2025-03-25 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for an insightful and empowering webinar on March 25th from 4- 5pm. This webinar is designed to support young people in understanding their autistic identity. This session will provide valuable strategies and perspectives to help young individuals embrace their uniqueness and navigate their experiences with confidence.
Key Topics:
Understanding autism and its diverse presentations
Strategies for self-advocacy and self-awareness
Building a supportive environment at home and school
Resources and tools for ongoing support
About our Presenter
Nicola Musgrove is a renowned expert in the field of autism, bringing a wealth of experience from both her professional and personal life. With years of experience in the classroom and extensive research into autistic behaviors, Nicola has a deep understanding of the challenges and strengths associated with autism.
As the mother of two autistic children, Nicola speaks with authenticity, compassion, and a profound knowledge that resonates with parents, educators, and young people alike. Her unique perspective combines professional expertise with personal insights, making her an exceptional guide for this important conversation.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Nicola’s expertise and gain practical tools to support the young people in your life. Register now to secure your spot!

<

Register now
