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Experts at Hand: getting the right support earlier

Sheffield City Council and the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) are excited to be working in partnership to provide the ‘Experts at Hand’ approach from autumn term 2026 onwards.

Experts at Hand works by bringing in experts to early years settings, schools and colleges.  For example, speech and language therapists and educational psychologists, will work alongside teaching staff. This new approach helps children get support earlier.

This new way of working is part of the national SEND Reforms. It also responds to what families in Sheffield have told us - many families have said they have waited too long for support. This can mean children only get help after problems have become bigger.

We want children to get the right help, at the right time, in the right place. By working together, education, health and care services can help children learn, join in and do well.  

We will keep listening to children, families, educational settings and other partners to develop and improve this new approach.

What is Experts at Hand?

Making sure children get the right support at the right time, which includes meeting the right professionals, is important. Experts at Hand means health and education experts will work alongside the teachers and staff in your child’s early years setting, school or college to deliver this support. This will help identify and meet your child’s needs more quickly.

For example: 

●       Occupational therapists - work with children and settings to develop the skills needed for everyday life. This includes looking at how they engage with learning and play. Also, they look at how independent they are and the environment they are in.

●       Speech and language therapists - work with children and settings to develop speech, language, communication and social interaction skills. They help the adults around the child or young person understand their needs and provide effective support.

●       Educational psychologists - work with children and settings to understand what might affect learning or development. They look at behaviour and overall wellbeing. They identify what may help support more positive outcomes.  

●       Specialist teachers - work with children and settings to remove barriers to learning. They have expertise in supporting children with specific learning needs or disabilities. They can help ensure access to the curriculum.

How will Experts at Hand make a difference?

Needs will be identified earlier, and children and young people will not need a diagnosis to get help.

By ensuring children receive the right support, at the right time, in the right place, we can help them be safe, happy and healthy.

How will this impact on other support?

Experts at Hand does not replace other support such as Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Also, other specialist services will still be available.  

Experts at Hand will help strengthen support available in mainstream settings. It will help staff respond more confidently to emerging needs. 

Where can you get more information about Experts at Hand?

You can talk to your child’s early years setting, school or college about this support. We have also included answers to frequently asked questions further down this webpage. You can also speak to Sheffield Parent Carer Forum. 

To learn more about the national approach you can visit Experts at Hand: Everything you need to know  – The Education Hub  

Experts at Hand – key partners

Sheffield’s SEND Local Area Partnership includes:

●     Sheffield City Council  - education, social care and SEND teams

●     South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board - plans and funds local health services

●     Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust- children’s health services. From physical health and therapies to mental health, neurodevelopmental support and community care.

●     Learn Sheffield provides expertise and opportunities for our city, alongside our education settings, to improve the life chances of every child and young person in Sheffield

●     Sheffield Parent Carer Forum (SPCF)  - connects Sheffield families and carers with SEND children and young people to provide support and exchange information. SPCF also works with decision makers to improve services for children and young people.

Frequently asked questions

 

What is Experts at Hand? 
Experts at Hand are health and education experts who will work alongside the teachers and staff in your child’s early years setting, school or college. They are teams of occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, and specialist teachers.

How will this new approach be developed?
Experts at hand will be introduced over time across Sheffield. We will begin with a small number of settings before gradually expanding the new approach across the city. Education, health and care partners will listen to feedback from families and settings about how it is working. We will also work closely with Sheffield Parent Carer Forum. We will continue to improve Experts at Hand and give your child better support for the best possible outcomes.  

How will Experts at Hand help?
The new approach will help identify and meet your child’s needs more quickly. Getting the right help early can help children feel happy, safe, confident, and ready to learn.

When will I know about how it affects me and my child?
The new approach is being rolled out from autumn term 2026 to education settings. It may take a little time to reach all settings across Sheffield. Your child’s early years setting, school or college will be able to let you know if their setting is taking part in Experts at Hand.

How will parents be involved?
Parents and carers will be an important part of the process. Schools, early years settings, and colleges will work with families to help them understand the support available and how it can help their child. Sheffield Parent Carer Forum is also helping shape how Experts at Hand will work in Sheffield.

Should I contact my child’s early years setting, school or college?
If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, you can speak to your child's SEND Coordinator (SENCo) or class teacher in the usual way.

Do I need to do anything now?
You do not need to take any further action now. Where changes affect your child directly, your child’s early years setting, school or college will keep you informed and involve you in how support is being provided.

To learn more about the national approach visit Experts at Hand: Everything you need to know  – The Education Hub

What type of support might my child receive?
Experts at Hand will work alongside staff in your child's early years setting, school, or college. Their main role is to build the confidence and skills of teaching staff so that the right support is available every day within the setting.

Does this replace my child's existing support or Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)?  
Experts at Hand does not replace existing support, Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) or other specialist services. 

Will my child need a diagnosis to access support?
No. Children will not need a diagnosis to benefit from Experts at Hand. Support will be based on what help a child needs, rather than whether they have a particular diagnosis.

How is this different to what happens now?
There will be extra professionals to support settings to help with meeting the needs of children and young people. 

What if my child is not currently in a school or setting e.g. Educated Other Than at School (EOTAS) or via Elective Home Education (EHE)?
Experts at Hand is being introduced through early years settings, schools and colleges. If your child is educated through EOTAS or EHE, their existing support arrangements will continue. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the support set out in their plan will not change as a result of Experts at Hand.

If you have questions about your child's support, please speak to the SEND Statutory Assessment and Review Service (SENDSARS) team - phone 0114 273 6394 or email: SENDAssess&Review@sheffield.gov.uk

How is this new approach being funded?
Experts at Hand is being funded by the Department for Education (DfE) through its SEND Reform programme. Sheffield has been selected to receive extra funding to test and develop this new way of providing support in education settings.

Where will the extra professionals come from to make this new approach work?
Experts at Hand is being delivered through a partnership between Sheffield City Council, the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and health and education partners. Professionals will work as one expert team around children, young people and their families. This joint approach will help ensure children receive the right support at the right time, in the place where they learn every day. 

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