#31 | We Asked the Minister  episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 31 MIN

#31 | We Asked the Minister

from Autism Dadcast · host Gaz and Andrew

The government's SEND White Paper promises a better system. But what happens when the independent expert on your complaints panel gets outvoted by governors? We asked the Minister directly.Gaz and Andy sat down with Georgia Gould, Minister for Schools, inside the Department for Education to put the questions SEND families are actually asking. The tribunal gap. The complaints panel. The undefined "complex needs" threshold. The workforce that doesn't exist yet.She answered all of it — and some of her answers might surprise you.Key moments:2:10 — The tribunal gap: what parents can and can't challenge4:06 — The complaints panel: can the SEND expert be outvoted?7:05 — Why families still have to go back to their local authority11:02 — The 90% debt write-off: what are the conditions?16:11 — "Complex needs" isn't defined. Who decides?25:21 — The workforce problem: what if the specialists aren't there?This is the conversation the SEND community needed to happen. Whether you leave reassured or more concerned - you need to hear it.

The government's SEND White Paper promises a better system. But what happens when the independent expert on your complaints panel gets outvoted by governors? We asked the Minister directly.Gaz and Andy sat down with Georgia Gould, Minister for Schools, inside the Department for Education to put the questions SEND families are actually asking. The tribunal gap. The complaints panel. The undefined "complex needs" threshold. The workforce that doesn't exist yet.She answered all of it — and some of her answers might surprise you.Key moments:2:10 — The tribunal gap: what parents can and can't challenge4:06 — The complaints panel: can the SEND expert be outvoted?7:05 — Why families still have to go back to their local authority11:02 — The 90% debt write-off: what are the conditions?16:11 — "Complex needs" isn't defined. Who decides?25:21 — The workforce problem: what if the specialists aren't there?This is the conversation the SEND community needed to happen. Whether you leave reassured or more concerned - you need to hear it.

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#31 | We Asked the Minister

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Spectrum Living: A Podcast William Thomas Dorste William Thomas Dorste is an adult male,  evaluated and diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) + ADHD at the age of 30 in 2023. He is also a self-published author who currently has 3 books out:The Autistic Journey - A Novelette (published Dec. 29, 2023)Space City - (published Jul. 9, 2024)The Darkest Hour - A Novelette (published March 14, 2025)William's official website: https://www.williamthomasdorste.com/DISCLAIMER: William is NOT a licensed therapist, psychologist or counselor in any way! If you need to seek help, please find a licensed person who can give legal health advise!  Explicit Late to Liberty Davie This is a podcast simulating what it's like to overdose on libertarian autism for an hour or so. While also keeping with libertarian tradition of never being on time. We focus on inner LP issues and current events. Probably a side story of something unrelated. Hosts are Otto, Jacob, Davie and Alex. Explicit Neurodivergent Moments Joe Wells and Abigoliah Schamaun Ever walk into a room and immediately forget why you’re there? Or get confused when someone is surprised you’ve taken what they said literally?Comedians, Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells do, and so do their guests, and these Neurodivergent Moments shine a light into the world of our diverse minds. Each episode, ADHD Abigoliah and Autistic Joe, speak to a guest with a neurodivergence about their divergence, life, career and how they navigate the neurotypical society we live in.Lighthearted, sincere and insightful, Neurodivegent Moments is a journey into the diverse world of our differently wired brains and the people who own them. ADHD, Autism, OCD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Borderline Personality Disorder and more are all topics of conversation. The Neurodivergent Moments Podcast has been featured at Latitude Festival and in Readers Digest and makes its debut at The London Podcast Festival on 14 September 2023.Follow the Podcast on Twitter and Explicit Your Improv Brain Jen deHaan Your Improv Brain is a show that helps you understand your brain (and body!) to be a happier, better performer. I'll also explore the intersection of improv comedy, neurodivergence, and the science of performance. Episodes cover how different brain types, including neurodivergent and neurotypical minds, experience comedy and performance. The show discusses creating supportive environments and understanding cognitive differences in improv practice.Your Improv Brain also explores how neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, impacts how we learn, coach, and perform. Host Jen deHaan - who is certifying in multiple programs based on nervous system regulation - gets into the science of why we freeze up on stage, how to find flow state, and using nervous system regulation tools to become a more resilient improviser and actor.Why this show is for youWhether you are neurodivergent or neurotypical, this show provides a neuroinclusive lens on the creative process. We move beyond "yes and" t Explicit

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The government's SEND White Paper promises a better system. But what happens when the independent expert on your complaints panel gets outvoted by governors? We asked the Minister directly.Gaz and Andy sat down with Georgia Gould, Minister for...

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