SEND in the Spotlight – Details, episodes & analysis

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SEND in the Spotlight

BBC Sounds

Frequency: 1 episode/8d. Total Eps: 14

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

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.

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Apple Podcasts

🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
15/08/2026
#95
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
14/08/2026
#62
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
13/08/2026
#79
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
10/08/2026
#72
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
09/08/2026
#91
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
04/08/2026
#88
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
03/08/2026
#49
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
27/07/2026
#63
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
20/07/2026
#84
🇬🇧 Great Britain - parenting
16/07/2026
#100

Spotify

🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
18/12/2025
#183
↗
🇬🇧 Great Britain - trending
16/12/2025
#184
↗

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Score global : 49%

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Introducing... Send in the Spotlight

Monday, December 1, 2025 • Duration 03:43

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.

Presenter: Nuala McGovern Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson Executive Editor: Karen Dalziel

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Schools Minister, Anna Maxwell Martin, Kellie Bright

Monday, December 8, 2025 • Duration 37:20

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

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EHCPs - an expert guide, Anna Maxwell Martin

Monday, December 15, 2025 • Duration 37:07

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

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Christmas tips from the Autism Dads and Katie Ghose

Monday, December 22, 2025 • Duration 34:21

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

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Mainstream inclusion with Tom Rees, Kellie Bright and Marsha Martin

Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 45:28

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

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Local authorities, Carrie and David Grant

Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 43:54

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

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

Monday, January 26, 2026 • Duration 33:27

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

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Your questions answered, Carrie and David Grant

Monday, February 2, 2026 • Duration 34:18

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

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Transport, Kellie Bright, Amanda Hopgood

Monday, February 9, 2026 • Duration 37:40

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

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

Monday, February 16, 2026 • Duration 40:52

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

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SEND in the Spotlight – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

SEND in the Spotlight – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify