The parents losing hope over SEND system

Access All: Disability News and Mental Health

A mum of two tells Emma Tracey about spending more than half of the family’s income on her children's special educational needs (SEND).

Alice moved her two daughter’s to a private school after she felt they weren’t being supported in state education. But, from 1 January, private schools lost their charitable status and now must pay VAT of 20% with many schools passing those costs onto parents. Alice fears her family’s financial will only worsen as a result. The Department for Education (DfE) said the government was "making progress" on the issue with a £1bn investment in SEND. We also hear from Luke Sibieta, an economist from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who shares his recent research into the state of SEND education in England.

Emma also catches up with adventurer Jonny Huntington who became the first disabled person to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.

And, we meet Tina and Jack from Daylight Studio, a music charity which supports people with learning disabilities, whose song Watermelon Fantasy has been sampled by Snoop Dogg!

Presented by Emma Tracey Produced by Dan Gordon and Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O’Neill Editor: Beth Rose