SEND in the Spotlight

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 send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen DalzielProduced by BBC Audio

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 - send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen DalzielProduced by BBC Audio

The cost of home to school transport of children with SEND is predicted to reach nearly 2 billion pounds this year, according to Local Government Association figures. This represents approximately a 200% increase on the amount spent a decade ago, and there is also debate over who should be eligible.Nuala explores why school transport is such a contentious issue with BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth, and Councillor Amanda Hopgood, from the LGA.Back with us is Kellie Bright, actor and SEND parent, and we also meet Ramandeep, a mum who has battled to get transport for her son.In the spotlight this week is 25 year old Grace in Leeds, a young woman who is blind and uses a wheelchair. Currently a post-grad student, she also writes, acts and directs theatre in her spare time.We want your nominations for someone to put in the spotlight - email them to send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital AP: Mahima Abedin Editor: Karen DalzielProduced by BBC Audio

What works to help children with SEND to go into school, and what should happen when they don't? Nuala McGovern speaks to Jayne Lowe, an Attendance and Behaviour Advisor to the government. She helped to write its official guidance, and is helping to get new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs off the ground.We're joined again by actors and SEND parents Kellie Bright and Anna Maxwell Martin, who campaigns on these issues. BBC Education reporter Hazel Shearing has all the facts and figures on attendance and fines.Plus we put 22 year old Nadia from Nottingham in the spotlight. She has mosaic Down Syndrome, and has made huge progress in getting to college independently.Email the podcast with your experience, or to suggest someone who should be in the spotlight - send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital AP: Mahima Abedin Editor: Emma PearceProduced by BBC Audio

Tom Rees is advising the Government on how to do inclusion well. Nuala McGovern speaks to him about chairing the Department for Education's Expert Advisory Group on Inclusion. Tom is a former primary teacher and headteacher, now CEO of Ormiston, one of the UK's biggest chain of academy schools, plus he's dad to a son who has Down's Syndrome.Also with us this week is Marsha Martin, founder and CEO of Black SEN Mamas - a network of over 7,000 families across the UK and beyond, and Kellie Bright, SEND mum and actor. We hear from Helen, a teacher and SENDCO who wants to talk about perhaps something unexpected - when mainstream inclusion works TOO well.In the spotlight this week is 7 year old Will from Doncaster, who's taught himself to swim.Get in touch with the podcast by emailing send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

It's just four letters, but getting an EHCP - Education Health and Care Plan - for children with special educational needs and disabilities can be a long and frustrating battle. In this episode we explain how to get one and what it means when you do.Joining Nuala McGovern are the actor and parent Anna Maxwell Martin and Jade, who over the past year has been through the process of obtaining an EHCP for her son. She'll tell us what she learned in what she calls 'the toughest year of her life'.BBC education reporter Hazel Shearing explains why the future of EHCPs is uncertain, and Alex Stafford from IPSEA - Independent Provider of Special Education Advice - takes us through each step in applying for an EHCP, including the challenges parents can mount when things don't go their way.Plus we put Mrs Robinson in the spotlight, as Alice and her two teenage sons show their appreciation for an amazing teacher.Get in touch with the podcast by emailing send@bbc.co.ukPresenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen DalzielProduced by BBC Audio

The special educational needs system is widely considered to be broken. Put simply, demand is outstripping supply, and too many children are being left without the support they need or having to go to school far away from home.As the government embarks on an overhaul of the SEND system in England, in this podcast from BBC Woman’s Hour, Nuala McGovern asks: How can every child learn and thrive?Nuala will examine the facts about what’s already being offered, what’s wanted and what’s affordable. She’ll hear personal stories from families and supporters and seek accountability from the people and organisations with the power to fix the system.Featuring high-profile parents, including actors Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright, SEND in the Spotlight aims to reimagine the future of SEND.Share your story with us: send@bbc.co.ukSEND in the Spotlight is a Woman’s Hour podcast. Episodes are published on Mondays on BBC Sounds.Note: In Scotland the system is called ASN, Additional Support Needs; In Wales it's ALN, Additional Learning Needs; In Northern Ireland it is known as the SEN register, that is the Special Educational Needs Register.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel