In each 30‑minute episode, Footsteps will take you inside the world of specialist education, sharing the people, experiences and stories that shape First Steps Together. What is First Steps Together? A rapidly expanding family of specialist schools, care homes, and transport services across the North West, empowering young people from diverse circumstances, backgrounds and identities. Why should you listen: With updates from across our schools the North West, thoughtful conversations and some laughs along the way, this is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to better understand young people with differences in communication, cognition and emotional and sensory regulation. In this episode: Nick Ransom is joined by Strategic Lead Natalie Ogden and SEND Coordinator Claire Berry to take a deep dive into Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans, often referred to as EHCPs. Along the way, Nick also speaks to students, a parent, and Acting Executive Headteacher Catherine Donnelly about these essential, legally enforceable documents that ensure young people with additional needs receive the right support. Our Chair of Governors, Andrea Lloyd, also shares her ambitions for the role and her passion for championing families within the community. Unpacking each section of an EHC plan, the episode explores how outcomes are set, what effective support looks like and why a child’s voice must sit firmly at the centre. A parent offers a candid account of navigating assessments and appeals, while students reflect on friendships, regulation and what helps them feel understood at school. Who is the host? Nick Ransom is a former BBC journalist and reporter and is also neurodivergent having been identified in his 20s. Having consulted on the subject across business, education and the media, he now works as our Communications Officer. Timecodes: 01:43 Claire and Natalie explain what an EHCP is and why it matters 03:17 Overview of Sections A-I 05:24 Sections J-K and the personal budget 05:52 Section A-B discussed in detail 07:26 Communication, the child's voice, and Natalie's experience 09:14 Who applies for an EHCP and how 11:13 Evidence, assessments and educational psychologists 14:33 Emotional impact on parents, including Rebecca’s story 15:55 Decision‑making, outcomes and the appeals process 17:11 Inclusion, provision and meeting need in mainstream education 19:25 Nick and Claire share their neurodivergent experiences 20:41 Resources on firststepseducation.uk and update on tribunals 22:08 Future of specialist education and current reforms 23:56 Advice for parents and insight from leaders, including Chair of Governors Andrea Lloyd
