SEND in the Spotlight

About SEND in the Spotlight

Woman’s Hour presenter Nuala McGovern delves into a key aspect of special educational needs and disabilities - or SEND - each week, and brings together families, young people, teachers, experts, and decision-makers. Featuring high-profile parents including Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright, expect straight talk, sharp insight, and practical advice. Share your story with us: send@bbc.co.uk (mailto:send@bbc.co.uk) SEND in the Spotlight is a Woman’s Hour podcast. Episodes are published on Mondays on BBC Sounds. If you enjoy listening, why not try the Woman’s Hour Guide to Life which Nuala McGovern also presents. 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.

Publisher

BBC Sounds

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Dec 2025

Latest episode

9 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Mar 2026

   Specialist schools, John Harris

   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

2. 

   2 Mar 2026

   Health - spotlight on the 'H' in EHCP, Carrie Grant

   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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

3. 

   24 Feb 2026

   SEND reforms | A Woman's Hour & SEND in the Spotlight special

   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

4. 

   19 Feb 2026

   Leaks of SEND reforms BONUS EPISODE

   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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital producer: Olivia Bolton Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

5. 

   16 Feb 2026

   Supporting cast - TAs, SLTs, Ed Psychs, Kellie Bright

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

6. 

   9 Feb 2026

   Transport, Kellie Bright, Amanda Hopgood

   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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital AP: Mahima Abedin Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

7. 

   2 Feb 2026

   Your questions answered, Carrie and David Grant

   Listeners take the starring role this week as we get answers to your queries from a group of people with a wealth of experience and expertise. They don't give out legal advice but they aim to help you determine your rights and what you are entitled to, for your child. Nuala McGovern welcomes back Carrie and David Grant, BAFTA award winning broadcasters and parents of four children with SEND. Eleanor Wright is a solicitor with SOS!SEN, a charity which helps parents and families of children with SEND to access their rights to an education. Kelly Mooney is an Assistant Head and SENCO of a state nursery and primary school rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted in 4 of the 5 categories. She has 25 years experience working with children with SEND. And in the spotlight this episode is 11 year old Amaya from Norfolk. Her mum Colette wanted to celebrate her daughter's environmental actions on the beach near her home. Email the podcast with your experience, or to suggest someone who should be in the spotlight - send@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital AP: Mahima Abedin Editor: Emma Pearce Produced by BBC Audio

8. 

   26 Jan 2026

   Attendance and fines with Jayne Lowe, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kellie Bright

   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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital AP: Mahima Abedin Editor: Emma Pearce Produced by BBC Audio

9. 

   19 Jan 2026

   Local authorities, Carrie and David Grant

   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 - send@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

10. 

    12 Jan 2026

    Mainstream inclusion with Tom Rees, Kellie Bright and Marsha Martin

    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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

11. 

    22 Dec 2025

    Christmas tips from the Autism Dads and Katie Ghose

    Christmas can be a time of great togetherness. It can also mean sensory overload and general overwhelm, plus changes to routine and health and care arrangements. Andy and Gaz from the AutismDadCast share how they plan to make it a bit more manageable this year. Also joining Nuala McGovern is Katie Ghose from Kids charity, which supports children with a wide range of disabilities. Katie offers her tips on what can help your family across the festive season - including the value of a half-wrapped gift. In the spotlight this week is Elvi, a young disabled woman for whom it is Christmas 365 days a year. We hear from Elvi and her mum Sam. And BBC education reporter Kate McGough is back with a SEND roundup of the year. Get in touch with the podcast by emailing send@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

12. 

    15 Dec 2025

    EHCPs - an expert guide, Anna Maxwell Martin

    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.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

13. 

    8 Dec 2025

    Schools Minister, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kellie Bright

    It's a defining moment in the SEND story. The government will publish its delayed Schools White Paper in the New Year, and is now conducting an extended listening exercise on the changes it could contain. School Standards Minister Georgia Gould joins Nuala McGovern to lay out the complexity of the work ahead, and answers criticism from parents, educators and workers in the sector. Also with Nuala in the SEND in the Spotlight studio, three parents who know the system from the inside out - actors Kellie Bright and Anna Maxwell Martin, plus Jason, who's been to tribunal three times to try and get his children the support they need. BBC Education reporter Kate McGough gives the lowdown on how we got here, and we put nine-year-old Henry, who's autistic, in the spotlight - he's been called the kindest boy in Burnley, and he's also one of the most entrepreneurial! Get in touch with the podcast by emailing send@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Digital Producer: Olivia Bolton Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel Produced by BBC Audio

14. 

    1 Dec 2025

    Introducing... Send in the Spotlight

    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.uk SEND 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

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Apple Podcasts (US)

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