Helping you create safe, neuro-inclusive spaces for every child
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.
Do you want to feel more confident supporting children with SEND?
You might already be doing lots of brilliant things, but still find yourself wondering:
How can we adapt our activities, sessions or spaces to meet different sensory, emotional and communication needs?
What should staff do when a child is overwhelmed, distressed, running away, refusing to join in or finding group activities too much?
How do we build trust with parents and carers, especially when families have had difficult experiences before?
How do we make sure our teams respond consistently, rather than inclusion depending on one confident person being in the room?
What are our responsibilities around reasonable adjustments, accessibility and inclusive practice?
How do we make inclusion feel manageable when staff are busy, resources are stretched and every child’s needs are different?
If these questions feel familiar, you are not alone.
Inclusion can feel overwhelming in busy activity settings, holiday provision, leisure spaces or family-facing environments where things can change quickly.
But neuro-inclusion does not have to mean getting everything perfect overnight, we take it step by step and we start with curiosity, practical tools and a willingness to look beneath behaviour.
How can I help you?
I offer practical, neuro-affirming support for organisations who want to move from good intentions to confident, consistent inclusive practice.
This includes:
Neuro-Inclusive Experience Audits
A practical review of your environment, communication, customer or service user journey and staff confidence, with clear recommendations and a 30, 60 and 90 day action plan.
Staff Confidence Training
Interactive, practical training for teams and providers, focused on behaviour as communication, sensory and emotional regulation, inclusive communication, parent conversations and realistic adaptations.
CPD Certified GOLD Inclusion Mark Training
Interactive programme for individuals who want a deeper understanding of the brain, nervous system and neuro-inclusive practice with 6 weeks group support from both Nicole and Dr Frances Willis (Educational Psychologist)
Ongoing Inclusion Partner Support
Regular advice, team Q&A, real life scenario support and action plan reviews, so inclusion does not become something that is talked about once and then forgotten.
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 and your organisation every step of the way.
Nicole is on a mission is to make sure no child misses out on activities they love. She is a late diagnosed ADHDer, former teacher, SEND advocate, and a parent of an autistic child with epilepsy, Nicole brings both lived and professional experience in the education sector to her training and knows what parents of children with SEND are looking for in an activity.
Nicole's training and support for children’s activity providers and family facing organisations equips them with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to create inclusive environments where all children can succeed.
Nicole won at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2025, was named Education and Training Start Up of the Year in 2026 and was recognised by Theo Paphitis from Dragon's Den as a Small Business Sunday winner. She has spoken about neurodiversity on BBC Radio 2, Sky News and Talk TV and has spoken at Industry Events such as Club Hub and the Institute of Children's Activity Providers National Conference.
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.
Connect with me on Instagram to meet my mascot and find out more about The SEED Framework
@thefriendlysendadvisor
Email me at hello@nicolebateman.co.uk
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