The Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast

“Nothing about us without us”, youth voice in educational reform - Georgia Gould, Minister for School Standards

The Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast

Show Notes

In Episode 14, the Children's Commissioner and Youth Ambassadors, Annabel, Ben, Emma, Finlay and Valerie, speak to Minister Gould, Minister of State (Minister for School Standards). The Ambassadors share their own personal experiences with education, particularly around additional needs including special educational needs, disabilities, young carer responsibilities, mental health struggles and disrupted schooling, and discuss educational reforms needed.

The podcast was recorded before before the publication of the SEND White Paper in March. The SEND reform consultation closes on 18th May and you can share your views here: https://consult.education.gov.uk/send-strategy-division/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-firs/.

Tell the Children's Commissioner what it’s like growing up in England, your hopes and ambitions and what would make England the best place to be a child by having your say: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-conversation.

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More from The Big Conversation: The Children's Commissioner's Podcast

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In Episode 12, Youth Ambassadors, Annabel & Rosanna, speak to Josh Pelled, Founder & CEO of Bright Futures UK, about what children need to stay connected to their education when they're away from school due to long-term illness and the problems with the support system and communication between services.

Aug 22, 2025

In Episode 11, Youth Ambassadors, Aaliya, Penelope & Emmanuel, speak to Professor Martin Griffiths, Trauma Surgeon & Clinical Director Violence Reduction, about the changing nature of youth violence and the need to design services that reflect young people’s experiences. Content warning: topics discussed include knife crime, masculinity, relationships, non-fatal strangulation and external influences including social media.

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In Episode 10, Youth Ambassadors, Annabel & Chan, speak to Ali Oliver, CEO, Youth Sport Trust, and Molly who's sits on their Youth Board, about the transformative power of sport, the barriers preventing young people participating and what needs to be done to make sport more inclusive and accessible to all.

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