We’re continuing our exploration of the neurodivergent experience from all angles, and in this episode we turn to a perspective that sits right at the centre of many young people’s lives: education.

My guest is Laura Hamson, School Improvement Manager for SEND and Inclusion at Hampshire County Council. Laura has oversight of special schools, resource provisions and inclusive practice across Hampshire — giving her a unique, whole-system view of what makes the difference for neurodivergent children in today’s classrooms.

If you’ve listened to earlier episodes with Grant and Jane, you’ll know we’ve been building a rounded picture of the challenges families face. Laura brings another crucial part of that picture: how schools understand neurodivergence, how they support children, and what really helps young people feel they belong.

In this episode, we cover topics including:

• The biggest factors that help neurodivergent children thrive in school.

• How “ordinarily available provision” can transform inclusion for whole classes.

• The importance of communication between schools and parents.

• How attitudes towards different learning needs have changed over the decades.

• What the corporate world can learn from the education sector about inclusion.

To find out more about the work Laura mentions:

• Hampshire Local Offer — https://fish.hants.gov.uk/kb5/hampshire/directory/localoffer.page

• Hampshire Transforming SEND Programme — https://hias-moodle.mylearningapp.com/ (login required for some materials)

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