Unique Connections At The Table

Dr Beverley Samways

Unique Connections At The Table is a podcast dedicated to exploring the profound power of human connection. Hosted by the team behind Unique Connections, whose work is focused with people with learning disabilities who are traumatised or distressed, this podcast dives into the heart of what it means to build meaningful, informed relationships - including with non-speaking individuals. Each episode invites listeners to the table to share stories, insights, and strategies that highlight our shared humanity. Because everyone is made for connection. No exceptions. Join us at the table and discover how we can create a world where everyone belongs.

  1. Sep 16

    Why I do this - and why I've stayed, with Robyn, SEN teacher

    Episode 1 of Series 4: Learning from long-term resilience in the sector In this series, we interview hand-picked professionals from the SEN sector who have been in their job for many years. This is in response to the ongoing concerns around burnout and staff attrition in the sector. We wanted to record some conversations with long-standing professionals to help us hear and share what helps great people stay. As we listen to Robyn talking about her work, we noticed a number of attributes that she very naturally models, including: professional humility, being ready to name what you don't know and ask for helphonouring the team - and understanding that good work comes from team, not mavericks or heroesleading a team with less hierarchy - leadership as primarily responsibility, not power or authorityhumour - it's such an important resilience factor!having a person centred ethos running through the workcelebrating the uniqueness of the students, and promoting curiosity when a student is hard to understandpromoting and practicing reflection Key topics Emotional regulation in special education Personalized learning pathways for students with profound needs The importance of adaptability and flexibility in teaching Building strong relationships with students over multiple years Team management and collaboration in special education Takeaways Flexibility is crucial; plans often need to change last minute. Building long-term relationships helps understand students deeply. Curiosity about students' inner worlds enhances teaching effectiveness. Using 'I wonder' fosters curiosity and non-blameful inquiry. Emotional regulation is central to student success and staff well-being. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Robyn Becker and her role in special education 313:51:44 Managing individual student profiles and team collaboration 6694:25:16 The importance of adaptability and responding to change 10055:32:14 The chaotic yet reflective nature of special education roles 13333:18:56 The rewarding moments: student achievements and team growth 20055:32:24 Building relationships over multiple years for deeper understanding 24999:59:09 The significance of emotional regulation in teaching and learning 29972:12:35 Using curiosity and 'I wonder' to improve safeguarding and support 35361:06:00 Communication strategies with students with limited verbal skills 39944:26:09 Managing emotions and de-escalation techniques in challenging moments 46694:26:22 Tailoring curriculum to student interests and future pathways 49916:39:53 The long-term impact of personalized, flexible education approaches

    Why I do this - and why I've stayed, with Robyn, SEN teacher

  2. Aug 5

    Unspoken Stories: Learning to listen to people with intellectual disabilities who are non-speaking.

    In this episode, Jen talks to Bev about her new book 'Unspoken Stories,' sharing insights from her research with young people with intellectual disabilities who are non-speaking. The conversation explores the importance of listening, storytelling, and understanding the quiet moments of connection. Download your free copy here: Unspoken Stories: Learning to Listen to People with Intellectual Disabilities who are Non-Speaking : Samways, Beverley: Amazon.co.uk: Books Purchase the paperback here: Unspoken Stories: Learning to Listen to People with Intellectual Disabilities who are Non-Speaking : Samways, Beverley: Amazon.co.uk: Books Chapters 00:00 Introduction to 'Unspoken Stories' and its significance 01:19 The book's recent release and reader reactions 02:53The origins of the research and meeting Cassie and Owen 04:21 Questions about diagnosis and challenging behavior 05:02 How the research journey began and ethical considerations 07:11 The importance of storytelling and space for stories 08:19 Cassie's story and the moral decision to share her story 09:57 The universal human desire to be heard and understood 10:44 The author's background in journaling and capturing moments 12:07 Processing stories ethically and maintaining dignity 13:37 The significance of attunement and connection in care 16:21 Understanding grief and emotional expression in non-verbal children 18:32 The importance of curiosity and not knowing everything 19:58 Chapter one from Cassie’s story. 27:29 How to access the book and its open access format 28:43 Encouragement to reach out and share stories

    Unspoken Stories: Learning to listen to people with intellectual disabilities who are non-speaking.

  3. Jun 22

    #6 in conversation: with Dr Caroline Roberts. Re-thinking self-injury - family systems, attachments and shared humanity.

    This conversation explores the intersection of self-injury and learning (intellectual) disabilities, emphasizing the importance of family-centered approaches and the need to bridge gaps in research and clinical practice. Caroline and Bev discuss historical contexts and societal attitudes and why people with learning disabilities who sometimes hurt themselves have been thought about and treated so differently from those without learning disabilities. We go on to discuss the role of emotional states and attachment theory in understanding self-injury among individuals with intellectual disabilities. And consider the importance of highlighting practical interventions and the significance of supporting both individuals and their families, advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate approach to care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Self-Injury and Intellectual Disabilities 02:34 Bridging the Gap: Family-Centered Approaches 05:08 Historical Context and Societal Attitudes 08:02 The Role of Family in Self-Injury 10:23 Emotional States and Attachment Theory 12:58 Practical Interventions and Family Dynamics 15:45 Building Secure Attachments 18:47 Creative Approaches in Research and Practice 21:28 Final Thoughts and Messages for Families

    #6 in conversation: with Dr Caroline Roberts. Re-thinking self-injury - family systems, attachments and shared humanity.

  4. Apr 27

    #5 in conversation with Dr Noelle Blackman: trauma, relationships, power-dynamics and recovery

    Dr Noelle Blackman is a psychotherapist, coach, consultant and trainer specialising in the field of trauma informed practice and the role of senior leaders in organisations supporting people with learning disabilities. Over the last 30 years her focus has remained on the importance of human connection as a fundamental element of wellbeing in all aspects of life. In this episode, we talk about how trauma affects the whole system: individuals, staff and organisations, and how applying the principles of trauma informed practice creates healing cultures, that allow organisations to change the story. We discuss the nature of trauma, its effects, and the importance of understanding communication styles in trauma-informed care. We explore the significance of building relationships, creating trauma-informed environments, and the need for organisational change to support trauma recovery. We also touch on the impact of collective trauma and share success stories that highlight the potential for healing and recovery. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Trauma in Learning Disabilities 05:12 Complex Trauma and Its Implications 10:46 The Role of Communication in Trauma 15:49 Building Relationships Through Trauma 21:22 Creating a Trauma-Informed Environment 27:08 Organizational Change and Trauma-Informed Care 32:30 The Impact of Collective Trauma 38:01 Success Stories in Trauma Recovery

    #5 in conversation with Dr Noelle Blackman: trauma, relationships, power-dynamics and recovery

  5. Apr 1

    #4 in conversation with Dr John Keesler: Trauma-informed care: why it's necessary and how to make it happen

    Dr John Keesler was the first person to publish about why trauma-informed care should be embedded into services people with learning disabilities way back in 2014. He has continued to focus his energy in working with direct care services, and trauma institutes to work out how we can best implement TIC in the sector. In this episode, we discuss the importance of understanding trauma, the role of relationships in healing, and the challenges organizations face in implementing trauma-informed practices. We drill down into the need for reflective leadership, organisational change, and a focus on creating safe and trusting environments for both clients and staff. Ultimately, we consider the potential for healing and recovery within trauma-informed frameworks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care 02:27 Understanding Trauma-Informed Care 05:01 The Importance of Relationships in Care 07:28 Challenges in Implementing Trauma-Informed Care 10:26 Organizational Change and Leadership 13:08 Navigating the Journey of Change 15:26 The Impact of Trauma on Organizations 18:17 Hope and Recovery in Trauma-Informed Care

    #4 in conversation with Dr John Keesler: Trauma-informed care: why it's necessary and how to make it happen

  6. Mar 11

    #3 in conversation with Lisa Lea-Weston: how embedding supervision in human services facilitates wonderful work

    In this conversation, Beverley Samways and Lisa Jane Lea-Weston discuss the critical role of supervision, particularly in supporting teachers and leaders, and how this is a foundational need for any organisation wanting to respond well to people in their care who are traumatised or distressed. They explore the misconceptions surrounding supervision, its importance in fostering emotional well-being, and how it can empower educators to better serve their students. Through real-life examples, they illustrate the profound impact supervision can have on both individual educators and the broader school environment, emphasizing the need for regular, structured support systems in educational settings. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Supervision in Education 02:38Understanding the Concept of Supervision 05:18Who Should Have Supervision? 08:18The Importance of Supervision in Education 10:55The Role of Supervision in Trauma-Informed Practices 13:42Real-Life Impact of Supervision 16:35The Ripple Effect of Supervision 19:27Conclusion and Resources

  7. Feb 11

    #2 In conversation with: Dr Julie Calveley

    Dr Julie Calveley is the founder-director of NAC Wellbeing. NAC empowers caregivers to provide compassionate, attuned support for people with severe and profound disabilities. In this conversation, Julie Calveley and Beverley Samways discuss effective care strategies for individuals with learning disabilities, particularly focusing on self-injury. They explore the importance of understanding emotional responses, the role of attunement in care, and the use of tools like intensive interaction and video guidance to enhance communication and support. The discussion emphasises a holistic approach to emotional wellbeing, aiming to help individuals feel better inside rather than just managing behaviours. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nurturing Effective Care 02:10 Understanding Self-Injury in Learning Disabilities 03:49 The Importance of Emotional Attunement 10:14 Achievement and Attunement in Care 21:51 Tools for Support: Intensive Interaction and VIG 32:10 Holistic Approaches to Emotional Wellbeing

    #2 In conversation with: Dr Julie Calveley

  8. Jan 7

    #1 In conversation with: Dr Paddy McNally

    Paddy McNally is a consultant clinical psychologist who has spent most of his career focusing on applying trauma-informed care principles to those supporting people with learning disabilities. He has published "A Framework for the Implementation of trauma-informed care in Residential and Supported Living Services for Adults with a Learning Disability", which is freely available online. In today's conversation, we talk specifically about the moments of 'stuck-ness' - when the relationships between a person and the team serving them appear to be stuck in circular interactions. This can feel very frustrating to everyone, and lead to feelings of hopeless. Paddy explains how we can understand these moments as being enactments of past trauma being played out unconsciously in the relationships and interactions - or even the organisation or system - around a person. However, once noticed, even a small change in the interaction can bring some relief to everyone. The conversation emphasizes the need for organizational support and reflective practices to create a safe and effective care environment. Ultimately, the significance of human connection in the healing process is paramount. Chapters 00:00Introductions 02:24Understanding Trauma-Informed Care Principles 05:21The Impact of Trauma on Care Relationships 08:11Enactments in Care Teams 10:58Breaking the Cycle of Trauma in Care 13:34The Role of Staff Reflection and Support 16:18Creating Safe Spaces for Staff 19:03The Importance of Organizational Support 21:43Navigating Crisis in Care Settings 24:24The Path to Recovery for Care Teams 27:03Conclusion: The Human Experience in Care

    #1 In conversation with: Dr Paddy McNally
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About

Unique Connections At The Table is a podcast dedicated to exploring the profound power of human connection. Hosted by the team behind Unique Connections, whose work is focused with people with learning disabilities who are traumatised or distressed, this podcast dives into the heart of what it means to build meaningful, informed relationships - including with non-speaking individuals. Each episode invites listeners to the table to share stories, insights, and strategies that highlight our shared humanity. Because everyone is made for connection. No exceptions. Join us at the table and discover how we can create a world where everyone belongs.

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