In this episode, I explore something that quietly shapes almost every school setting, why collaboration between professionals can feel so difficult, even when everyone around the table genuinely wants to help.

Whether it’s a SENCO, pastoral lead, educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, autism specialist, or school leader, meetings often begin with good intentions but end with uncertainty. Everyone leaves believing something slightly different was agreed, and the child at the centre of the conversation can easily get lost within the process.

Drawing on my own research into collaborative working around autistic children at risk of exclusion, I explore why this happens and what schools can do differently.

One of the key themes throughout the episode is that tension in meetings is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when professionals see a child through different lenses, behaviour, anxiety, communication, trauma, sensory needs, relationships, that complexity is often a sign that meaningful thinking is happening.

I also discuss how schools can move beyond rushed problem-solving and instead create space for deeper understanding. Because the best collaborative teams do not race toward solutions.

This explores the importance of understanding professional roles properly. Too often, professionals work alongside one another without fully understanding the expertise each person brings. When that understanding improves, collaboration becomes less defensive and more productive.

Alongside this, I reflect on the emotional side of professional disagreement, why psychological safety matters in meetings, and how respectful challenge can strengthen decision-making rather than damage relationships.

Ultimately, this episode is about leadership, not leadership as having all the answers, but leadership as creating the conditions where people can think well together in service of children.

In This Episode, I Explore

• Why collaboration in schools is often harder than it appears.
• How different professionals interpret the same child in different ways.
• Why slowing meetings down can improve outcomes.
• How respectful disagreement strengthens collaborative thinking.
• How school leaders can keep the child central during complex discussions.

Why This Episode Matters

In education, we often focus heavily on outcomes, but far less on the process that gets us there.

This is a reminder that effective collaboration is not about everyone agreeing immediately. It is about professionals being willing to stay curious, tolerate complexity, and build shared understanding together.

Because when adults think better together, children are far less likely to fall through the cracks.

Connect with Me

Instagram: @‌dradammcartney
Website: dradammccartney.com
YouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney