Guest Speaker paul bray
Misunderstood and Mislabelled: Rethinking SEND Through a Relational Lens
Delivered by Paul Bray, this session invites you to rethink SEND through a relational lens.
Led by guest expert Paul Bray, this session explores how differences in communication, processing, and regulation are often misunderstood, leading to escalation or exclusion. The session supports inclusive, relational approaches so every child feels seen, understood, and able to thrive.
Duration
0
Format
Live online training
CPD
5 CPD points
Price
£80 + VAT
Designed for
Thrive Practitioners
Misunderstood and Mislabelled CPD
Overview
How we interpret behaviour can shape inclusion for learners with SEND.
Delivered by Paul Bray, this session invites you to rethink SEND through a relational lens. It explores how differences in communication, processing, sensory experience and regulation can be misunderstood as behaviour, leading to escalation, exclusion or disproportionate sanctioning.
Grounded in practical strategies, the session considers the balance between safeguarding and advocacy, supporting staff to move beyond compliance-based approaches towards inclusive, responsive practice where learners feel protected, empowered and understood.
This session contributes towards maintaining your Thrive Licensed Practitioner status.
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Misunderstood and Mislabelled CPD
What you’ll gain from this CPD
Explore how relationships, safety and belonging shape mental wellbeing, and gain practical strategies to recognise distress and respond with confidence.
- Deepen your understanding of SEND as difference, not deficit
- Explore how misinterpretation leads to escalation
- Examine issues of disproportionality and exclusion
- Understand the concept of protective clarity in communication
- Develop practical approaches to inclusive, relational support
- Understand and support a wider range of individual needs.
- Adapt communication and expectations to better meet children's needs.
- Recognise how systems and practices can unintentionally create barriers to inclusion.
- Balance high expectations with appropriate support.
- Strengthen a relational approach to inclusion, belonging and participation.
Our guest speaker
Paul brings extensive experience in SEND, relational practice and mental wellbeing.
Paul Bray
SEND Advocate, Consultant and Tutor
Paul has more than 25 years’ teaching and leadership experience across mainstream and SEND settings. He works directly with children and young adults, while supporting professionals across education, health and social care as a SEND advocate, consultant and tutor.
He has spoken at events including the World Education Summit, TES SEND Show and World Inclusion Congress. Paul is also the author of a Routledge RSE resource for learners with special educational needs and trained as a Thrive Practitioner in 2014.
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See the available dates and times for this course below. When you've found a session that works for you, you can book your place.
Upcoming start date details coming soon.
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Fees & next steps
Book your place above to secure your spot on this 2-hour CPD session for Thrive Practitioners.
