On Monday 8 December, the BBC will launch a brand-new podcast, SEND in the Spotlight, hosted by Nuala McGovern. This timely series, made by the team behind BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, shines a light on the realities of life for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – and the families, teachers, and professionals who support them.

Each week, Nuala explores a key aspect of SEND provision, bringing together families, young people, educators, experts, and decision-makers for frank conversations about what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to change.

The podcast features guests including actors Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright, who share their personal experiences navigating the SEND system as parents. With demand for SEND support rising – from 1.3 million to 1.7 million children in England over the past decade – this series asks the big questions: why is the system under strain, what reforms are coming, and how can families get the help they need?

Many parents and professionals feel the system that’s supposed to help them is now adversarial, overwhelmed and under-funded – despite ballooning costs to the government. Put simply, demand is outstripping supply, and too many children are being left without the support they need or having to access it far from home. With the government preparing for changes to SEND provision, 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.

Upcoming episodes will explore the planned reform of SEND provision in the forthcoming Schools White Paper, advice on applying for an EHCP, the challenges of school transport for SEND children, the realities of provision in mainstream schools, as well as how families can navigate festivals and holidays to make them successful for children with SEND.

New half-hour episodes will be published every Monday on BBC Sounds and via RSS. Listeners can subscribe now on BBC Sounds to be notified when new episodes drop, and can also contact the podcast to share their own SEND stories by emailing: send@bbc.co.uk.

Nuala McGovern says, ‘I want to create a space where families can share their experiences of raising a child with special educational needs. Together we want to reimagine the SEND system, which some have called broken. I’ll also work to get answers from the people who have the power to change it.’

Karen Dalziel, Editor of Woman’s Hour, says, ‘Woman’s Hour has always been about unpacking the issues that matter most to women, and SEND is now one of the most pressing topics for our audience. With current provision creating unsustainable pressure for families, professionals and the public purse, SEND in the Spotlight creates the space to have bold conversations about the system we’ve got, and the one parents and children need. Expect straight talk, sharp insight, and practical advice.’

FK

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