EastEnders actress Kellie Bright has spoken emotionally about her struggle to secure an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan for her eldest son Freddie, who has dyslexia, ADHD and autism. The 47-year-old, who plays Linda Carter on the BBC soap, shared her experiences on The One Show on 14th May, highlighting the lengthy and often frustrating process faced by many parents of children with special educational needs (SEN).
Bright, who has three sons with husband Paul Stocker, explained that Freddie needed extra support as he transitioned from primary to secondary school. She described the arduous task of filling in lengthy forms and providing extensive evidence, only to be turned down initially. 'My final email I sent 21 attachments, and I was like, if this doesn't work, I'm done,' she said, emphasising her son's legal right to an assessment.
The actress met other mothers who faced similar hurdles, including one who paid £300 for help to initiate an assessment and another who spent two years gathering sufficient evidence. According to government data, more than half of parents wait longer than the statutory 20 weeks just to be assessed. Bright questioned whether a fairer system is possible, noting that not everyone can afford private help.
In a meeting with Margaret Mulholland, a SEND specialist, Bright broke down as she expressed her fears for Freddie's wellbeing. 'I just want my son to get through his education and come out the other side feeling good about himself. He has such negative feelings about himself,' she said. A local government association acknowledged that delays are due to increasing demand and insufficient funding, adding that the number of EHC plans has risen every year since 2014.
Bright has since taken to Instagram to call for change, stating that the system is 'not fit for purpose' and urging others to speak out. 'It's time to talk LOUDER. It's time for things to change,' she wrote, hoping to represent other parents of children with SEN.
