Q20. Through the Experts at Hand offer, we want to ensure that mainstream settings can get quick specialist support for children and young people...

What arrangements are needed between local area partners (education, health, social care) to deliver this Experts at Hand offer effectively?

The context: The Government will make a £1.8 billion investment over three years to improve access to health and education professionals such as speech & language therapists who will work with both teachers and children. Local authorities and Integrated Care Boards will establish an ‘Experts at Hand’ offer comprising support from education and health services and outreach from specialist settings including alternative provision. Experts will be able to work directly with mainstream settings so they can access advice without a child or young person requiring a referral.

In your answer, you may want to consider:

• Some children who are adopted or in permanent kinship care access specialist therapeutic support through their local authority or regional or voluntary adoption agency. While this support may not be directly education-related, it can have an indirect impact on children’s ability to thrive in education. For example, by improving attendance, supporting children to self-regulate, and addressing social and emotional challenges. Will such specialist services be part of the ‘Experts at Hand’ offer, bringing their expertise into mainstream settings?