BBPCF Podcasts -
Real Life, Real Stories
The Let’s Talk SEND podcast has been created for parent carers and families across Bedford Borough. Each episode features honest conversations with local professionals, services, and parent carers, sharing experiences, advice, and practical guidance to help you navigate the SEND journey.
Whether you're at the beginning of your journey or supporting a young person with complex needs, our aim is to help families feel informed, supported, and reassured that you are not alone.
Featured episode – A Conversation with Chris Harvey & Chris Morris
In this episode, we bring together local and regional voices to explore SEND Reform, with a focus on co-production and the people at the heart of the system. We discuss the work of the Regional Improvement and Innovation Alliance (RIIA), the importance of sharing effective practice across the region, and how collaboration between parent carers, education, health and local authorities can help drive meaningful change. We also challenge the common narrative that "the system is broken", asking whether the reality is more complex than that and highlighting the positive work already taking place to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.
All Episodes
Episode 1: An Introduction to Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum and Let’s Talk SEND!
Hosts: BBPCF Operational Team - Kerri, Val, Sophie and Lee
In the inaugural episode of Let’s Talk SEND!, listeners meet the BBPCF team and learn about the purpose, aspirations, and values behind the podcast. The team share their goals for supporting the SEND community in Bedford Borough by providing open conversation, targeted information, and collaboration across local services.
📅 Published: June 2025
⏱️ Duration: 42 minutes
Episode 4: A Conversation with Augustina Williams - Head of Service, Bedfordshire and Luton Community Paediatrics Service
Guest: Augustina Williams, Head of Service
In this episode, we sit down with Augustina for a brilliant conversation about putting humanity back into services, the motivations behind her work, local developments in health services, and plenty more.
📅 Published: November 2025
⏱️ Duration: 42 minutes
Episode 7: Tim Long - Head of School Support Services
Guest: Tim Long, Head of School Support Services
In this episode Tim speaks with Kerri about working with parents and schools, the importance of communication, the current strengths and challenges within the SEND system, and the growing adversarial and legal pressures facing SEND.
📅 Published: January 2026
⏱️ Duration: 41 minutes
Episode 10: A Conversation with Jo Meehan, Associate Director of CAMHS
Guest: Jo Meehan, Associate Director of CAMHS
Kerri speaks with Jo Meehan, Associate Director of CAMHS, about children's and young people's mental health. They discuss how families can access CAMHS support, the current challenges facing mental health services, and how services are evolving to better support children, young people and their families. The conversation also explores what parents can expect from the service and the importance of working together to provide the right support at the right time.
📅 Published: May 2026
⏱️ Duration: 38 minutes
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Episode 13: A Conversation with
Laura and Jo, Parent Reps
Guests: Laura and Jo, BBPCF
Kerri is joined by Laura and Jo to discuss what it's really like raising children with additional needs in Bedford Borough.
Drawing on their own lived experiences, they share the challenges, successes and realities of navigating everyday life as parent carers. They also reflect on their journey with BBPCF, discussing how the forum has evolved over the years and the positive difference it has made for families and local SEND services.
This honest and heartfelt conversation highlights the value of lived experience, peer support and working together to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND.
📅 Published: July 2026
⏱️ Duration: 43 minutes
Episode 2: Listening to Parents, Supporting Children: A Conversation with Bedford Borough’s Chris Morris, Chief Education Officer
Guest: Chris Morris, Local Authority
In this episode of Let’s Talk SEND, Kerri speaks with Chris Morris, Chief Education Officer at Bedford Borough, about improving support and opportunities for children and young people with SEND, including inclusive initiatives across education, early years and community services.
📅 Published: September 2025
⏱️ Duration: 48 minutes
Episode 5: A Conversation with Simon Harwin – Director of Children’s Community Health Services
Guest: Simon Harwin – Director of Children’s Community Health Services
In this episode we have a chat with Simon about his role, working collaboratively, waiting lists and how to work within a system that often seems overwhelmed.
📅 Published: December 2025
⏱️ Duration: 42 minutes
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Episode 8: A Conversation with Jordan Clover - Head of Community and Specialist Nursing
Guest: Jordan Clover - Head of Community & Specialist Nursing
In this episode, Kerri chats with Jordan about special educational needs and disabilities, the realities of navigating the school system, and Jordan’s advice and encouragement for families of children with medically complex needs who may be feeling isolated.
📅 Published: February 2026
⏱️ Duration: 39 minutes
Episode 11: A Conversation with Chris and Heather – Early Help, Family Support and Parent Groups
Guests: Chris and Heather – Early Help, Family Support and Parent Groups
The conversation highlights how Early Help services can support families at different stages of their journey, the importance of accessing support before challenges escalate, and the range of services available to children, young people and their families across Bedford Borough.
Chris and Heather also discuss the value of parent groups and community connections, sharing how families can access practical advice, build supportive networks and find the right support at the right time.
📅 Published: June 2026
⏱️ Duration: 45 minutes
Episode 3: A Conversation with Nicola Ready, Head of SEND
Guest: Nicola Ready, Local Authority
In this episode of Let's Talk SEND we talk with Nicola Ready, Head of SEND, Bedford Borough, about her journey and experiences within SEND. She shares insights into supporting children and families, the challenges faced, and the importance of collaboration between schools, services, and parents.
📅 Published: October 2025
⏱️ Duration: 32 minutes
Episode 6: Hawaa Empower – Removing Barriers with Shapna and Nisbar
Guests: Shapna and Nisbar
In this episode, we talk with Shapna and Nisbar about working together across different communities to encourage inclusion and break down barriers.
📅 Published: December 2025
⏱️ Duration: 36 minutes
Episode 9: A Conversation with Terry Steele – SENDIAS
Guest: Terry Steele, Team Lead at Bedford Borough SENDIAS
A discussion about SENDIAS support, understanding your rights, early intervention, and how SENDIAS works alongside families navigating the SEND system.
📅 Published: April 2026
⏱️ Duration: 26 minutes
Episode 12: A Conversation with Hayley – Engagement and Development Team
Guests: Hayley, Bedford Borough Council's Engagement and Development
The conversation explores how the team creates opportunities for young people to share their experiences, express their needs, and build meaningful relationships that encourage participation and influence positive change.
Hayley explains how listening to the voices of children and young people helps services better understand lived experiences and supports the development of more inclusive, responsive services across Bedford Borough.
📅 Published: July 2026
⏱️ Duration: 43 minutes
Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these podcasts belong solely to the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Bedford Borough Parent Carer Forum (BBPCF). The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical or educational advice.