Show Notes
Many parents feel they need to go to battle with their local authority in the attempt to get their children's special educational needs met. In this episode we hear directly from those working for local authorities to help us see the world through their eyes. Julie Ely, Assistant Director of Education, SEN and Admissions at Kensington and Chelsea Council in London, talks to Nuala McGovern about how that council approaches its SEND obligations. Rebecca - not her real name - tells us what it's like to be both a SEND mum and a SEND caseworker for a different local authority. We'll find out more about the challenges they face and how the pressures have changed as caseloads have increased. With the reality of limited resources, both financial and human, what is it like making decisions that will profoundly affect a child's future? And what suggestions do they have to improve the system from the inside? BBC education reporter Kate McGough joins us again to talk funding, delays and what the government is doing about both.
And we put 17 year old Stephen in the spotlight, finding out why he won Contact's Proudest Moment award. Email the podcast with your experience, or to suggest someone who should be in the spotlight - [email protected]
Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel
Produced by BBC Audio
More from SEND in the Spotlight
Specialist schools are to be reserved for those with the most complex needs, as the government pushes for more inclusive mainstream schools that will cater to pupils with SEND. They say they want to ensure fair admissions and better value for money, including potential fee limits for independent specialist schools. But those proposed changes are causing concern among some parents who worry their child will be left behind. BBC Education reporter Vanessa Clarke gives us the background, and Nuala speaks to two parents who say their children have thrived in specialist schools. John Harris is a Guardian journalist, campaigner and author of a memoir about his son James, autism, music and the SEND system called Maybe I'm Amazed. Chamika is a lawyer and mum to a 10 year old daughter who quadriplegic, has cerebral palsy, is non-verbal and a wheelchair user. Nic Crossley runs the Liberty Academy Trust of specialist autism schools. She is neurodivergent and has a child with SEND. She gives Nuala her response to the reforms. And in the spotlight this week is 17 year old Maddie from Kent who recently gained her Level 1 British Sign Language qualification. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Mahima Abedin Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio
An in depth look at the 'H' in EHCPs. That is the health part of Education Health and Care Plans, as they stand now. We hear from mum Becci, about what her day looks like before she even gets her child out of the front door, and what happens to meet his medical needs in school. We have news about a new parliamentary session which will be looking into exactly this, and we will be talking about a separate inquiry by MPs into the mental health of children and young people. SEND parent and broadcaster Carrie Grant joins us, along with education reporter Kate McGough, and Jen Craft, Labour MP and member of the Health Select Committee. In the spotlight this week is 5 year old Sanchéz, whose love of trains led to an exciting opportunity with Transport for London. Please note, this episode was recorded before the Schools White Paper and SEND reforms in England were published. To contact the programme email [email protected] Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio
SEND in the Spotlight in collaboration with Woman's Hour brings you a special episode on the impact of the government's SEND reforms in England. Whether you’re a parent, a young person, a teacher or someone who works in the wider system we find out what the changes mean for you - and help you decode the new language - whether it's IB, ISP, Targeted, Targeted Plus, or SPP. Nuala McGovern speaks to parents, teachers, charities, the School Standards Minister and the Children’s Commissioner for England. We also hear from podcast regulars Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright. Contributors: Georgia Gould MP, Schools Standards Minister Marsha Martin, founder of Black SEN Mamas Katie Ghose, CEO of Kids charity and Vice Chair of the Disabled Children's Partnership Margaret Mulholland, Association of School and College Leaders Kate McGough, BBC Education reporter Eleanor Wright, solicitor at SOS!SEN Ramandeep Kaur, SEND parent Carrie Grant, SEND parent and broadcaster Katie Nellist, SEND ambassador Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel
Today's leaks about upcoming SEND reforms in England in the Times newspaper have made headlines. Full details will be laid out in a white paper next week, which we will cover in depth in a future episode. In this bonus episode we discuss the suggestion that the legal right to special needs support will be compulsorily reviewed when children move from primary to secondary school. Nuala hears views from Labour MP and SEND parent Jen Craft, actor Kellie Bright, plus parent campaigners Kirsti Hadley and Rachel Filmer. Email the podcast - [email protected] Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio
We put the spotlight on the crucial cast of professionals who work alongside teachers to support children and young people with SEND. Nuala McGovern hears from listener Helen, who shares what it's really like being on the frontline as a teaching assistant. She is also joined by Sarah Smith, a speech and language therapist and and Clinical Team Lead for Mainstream Schools at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. And educational psychologist Dr Helena Bunn talks about the impact on children of shortages in her profession. Actor and SEND parent Kellie Bright is in the studio, and BBC education reporter Kate McGough brings us the latest from the government on SEND. In the spotlight this week is 10 year old Herbie from Suffolk, who found a tribe through Pokemon. Email your nominations for someone to put in the spotlight - [email protected] Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio