Creating neuro-inclusive spaces where every child feels safe enough to join in.

Practical SEND and neuro-inclusion support for activity providers, Local Authorities, Active Partnerships, leisure organisations and family-facing teams, so staff feel confident and children feel safe enough to participate.

Hello, I’m Nicole Bateman, also known as The Friendly SEND Advisor, and I help organisations feel more confident including neurodivergent children and children with disabilities in the activities, services and spaces they love.

I work with children’s activity providers, tutors, leisure organisations, visitor attractions, Local Authorities, Active Partnerships, HAF and wraparound teams, franchise networks and other family-facing organisations who want inclusion to feel practical, compassionate and achievable.

So many organisations care deeply about children and families, but still feel unsure when a child is overwhelmed, struggling to join in, communicating through behaviour, finding transitions hard or needing a different sensory or emotional approach.

That is where I can help.

My work is about simplifying neuro-inclusion and giving teams the confidence, language, tools and strategies they need to make a real difference in everyday moments, not just in policies or training folders because every child deserves to feel safe and understood when they walk through the door.

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AMAZING! Nicole shares her personal and professional experiences on how to support children with SEND. Thank you Nicole!

Josh Brown

CEO Foundation Sports Dorset

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Nicole delivered the Silver SEND training to our wraparound providers in Hertfordshire. The session was very engaging and extremely useful to anyone working with children - offering simple and practical tips that can be easily embedded into everyday practice. Nicole also shared powerful lived experiences and learning through both a teacher and parent lens; I would highly recommend this training!

Faye Lahiffe

Herts Sports & Physical Activity Partnership

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Nicole’s session was fun, engaging and importantly very inclusive. I learnt new things and left the session with lots of ideas and motivation to improve elements of our Baby College programme. Thanks Nicole

Bea Waterfield

Franchisor Baby College

Do you feel unsure or overwhelmed when it comes to supporting children with SEND?

You might be wondering:

How can I adapt my sessions to meet the sensory and emotional needs of children with SEND?
How do I communicate with parents and build trust?
What are my legal responsibilities when it comes to SEND Law?
How can I ensure that my activities and venues are inclusive and accessible to all children?

Without the right tools and understanding, children with SEND can feel left out, frustrated, or unable to fully participate. This can not only impact their confidence and emotional well-being but also affect your ability to grow your business by meeting the needs of all children.

How can I help you?

I offer tailored solutions designed to help children's activity providers, tutors, and educators overcome these challenges in the form of 1:1 support calls, bespoke franchise training, biannual Q and A and audit packages. I also have a CPD Certified Training to gain a Gold SEND/ASN Inclusion Mark for your business and a monthly support membership.

Whether you need practical advice, personalised support for specific children, or further understanding on SEND law and inclusive practices, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Download a FREE Guide to supporting Neurodivergent Children in your sessions

'Thank you Nicole for a wonderful session. It was very informative and has given me lots of ideas.'

'It was amazing, full of information but not too overwhelming, feels totally accessible and user friendly!'

'Great insightful training - it was really interesting and valuable not just for teaching Tappy Toes but for generally understanding others, both children and adults.'

'Excellent level of new knowledge learnt, really easy to follow along with and the language was very understandable. Nicole was super friendly and I felt we could ask any questions.'

Hi, I'm Nicole Bateman aka The Friendly SEND Advisor, and I’m here to help you ensure that every child in your care feels supported, understood, and able to thrive.

As a late diagnosed ADHDer, former teacher, SEND advocate, and a parent of an autistic child with epilepsy, I have both lived and professional experience in the education sector and know what parents of children with SEND are looking for in an activity.

My mission is to empower children’s activity providers, tutors, and educators like you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to create inclusive environments where all children can succeed.

My Services Include:

Silver SEND/ASN Inclusion

The Silver SEND/ASN Inclusion Mark Training is an on-demand training created by Nicole Bateman (The Friendly SEND Advisor) and Dr Frances Willis (Educational Psychologist) for children's activity providers.

Upon completion of the Action Plan you'll receive a Silver Inclusion Mark to demonstrate your expertise in supporting all children and helping your business grow.

CPD Certified GOLD Inclusion

Gain valuable knowledge about neurodivergent brains, sensory needs, SEND Law, and practical strategies for inclusivity through our CPD Certified course created by Nicole Bateman (The Friendly SEND Advisor) and Dr Frances Willis (Educational Psychologist).

Upon completion, you’ll earn CPD Points and an official Certificate demonstrating your expertise in supporting all children and helping your business grow.

SEND Inclusive Activity Hub

The SEND Inclusive Activity Hub is a safe space that gives children’s activity providers practical 'in the moment' tools, expert guidance and ongoing support through monthly Q and A's and Inclusion Action Hours to run truly inclusive sessions for only £19/month for the first 20 Founding Members.