By Jasmine Norden

Copyright independent

EastEnders star Kellie Bright has revealed the significant challenges she faced securing appropriate education for her son, who has autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, describing the process as a “battle”.

Bright’s personal experience is featured in a new Panorama documentary, where she meets other families navigating similar difficulties within England’s special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system.

The documentary highlights cases like Tunde, whose autistic son Buddy struggled to obtain an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and school placement, forcing Tunde to temporarily stop work as a midwife.

Councils across the country are facing spiralling high needs deficits, estimated at £3.3 billion by 2024, due to a substantial increase in demand for EHCPs.

The government plans to reform the Send system in the Schools White Paper, with assurances that legal rights to additional support will remain.