Reducing School Exclusions | Dave Smallwood

Published On: 30 May 2024
In this episode, Dave Smallwood, Principal Team Teach trainer and Director at SENse Training and Consultancy, talks to Clare about reducing school exclusions

They discuss the reasons behind exclusions, the short- and long-term ramifications for children and young people, and strategies to reduce school exclusions in our settings.

Dave has worked in special schools, for both the local authority and the National Autistic Society, and has extensive experience of supporting young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.

As a staff development co-ordinator for the National Autistic Society, he developed and delivered training in autism, and equality, diversity, and rights.

You can find Dave on LinkedIn.

He also shares three tips during the episode:

  • Have a secure understanding of the legal frameworks and guidance around exclusions, and use these to inform practice and procedures.
  • Record, collect, and scrutinise data, looking for patterns and identifying the underlying causes of exclusion. This valuable information can help us offer the best support to individuals.
  • Foster a whole-school approach to building relationships and providing positive behaviour support and training, ensuring that our ethos and values are enshrined in school policy.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks.

Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.