Kellie Bright Highlights Struggles Securing Education for Autistic Son Amid Rising EHCP Demand in England

EastEnders actress Kellie Bright has publicly shared her challenging journey to secure appropriate education and support for her autistic son, Freddie, who also has dyslexia and ADHD. She and her husband endured a prolonged and exhausting process to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a legally binding document that guarantees support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Bright's experiences are featured in a BBC Panorama documentary highlighting the struggles many families face within England's SEND system, including a family whose son, Buddy, was initially denied an EHCP and is currently receiving lessons in a library due to a lack of suitable school placements. The demand for EHCPs has nearly doubled since 2019, creating significant financial pressures on local authorities, with deficits projected to exceed £3.3 billion by next year. The UK government plans to reform the SEND system, potentially phasing out EHCPs in favor of SEND units in mainstream schools led by specialist teachers, sparking concern among parents and charities about losing legal rights to essential support. Bright warns these reforms could cause "disaster" for families, emphasizing the anxiety and exhaustion already experienced by parents navigating the current system.