RIASS Redbridge
What is Experts at Hand?
Experts at Hand (EaH) is a new national SEND programme being introduced by the Department for Education as part of the Government's wider programme of SEND reform. The aim is to improve access to specialist advice and support for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) by bringing specialist expertise directly into mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges.
The programme has been developed in response to increasing demand for SEND support, long waiting times for specialist services and feedback from families and professionals that children often have to wait too long before receiving appropriate help. The Government's intention is to provide earlier support, closer to where children learn, reducing delays and improving outcomes.
Why has Experts at Hand been introduced?
The SEND system has experienced significant growth in demand over recent years, with increasing numbers of children requiring additional support in education settings. At the same time, services such as Educational Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy have experienced increasing pressures and waiting times.
Experts at Hand aims to:
The programme is designed to focus on a child's needs rather than waiting for formal labels or diagnoses before support can be provided.
When will Experts at Hand begin?
Experts at Hand is being rolled out nationally during the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Government has committed:
As the programme is being introduced in phases, local arrangements and availability may differ between Local Authority areas while services are established and expanded.
What support will be available?
Experts at Hand will provide access to specialist professionals who can advise and support education settings, including:
Support may include:
How will Local Authorities deliver Experts at Hand?
The Government has provided funding to Local Authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to develop a local Experts at Hand offer. Rather than creating one national service, each Local Authority will determine how best to deliver support according to local needs and existing services.
Many Local Authorities are expected to strengthen existing services or commission additional specialists to work directly with schools, early years settings and colleges.
This may include:
What might this look like in schools?
Depending on local arrangements, schools may be able to access:
The overall aim is for specialist knowledge and expertise to be more readily available within mainstream settings, helping schools meet children's needs at the earliest opportunity.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No.
A key principle of Experts at Hand is that support should be based on a child's identified needs rather than requiring a formal diagnosis. This means support can begin earlier while longer-term assessments or investigations continue if required.
Does Experts at Hand replace SEND Support or an EHCP?
No.
Experts at Hand does not replace existing SEND processes, statutory duties or legal protections.
Children and young people may still:
Experts at Hand is intended to strengthen and complement existing support, not replace it.
How will parents and carers be involved?
Parents and carers remain an important part of the process. Educational settings and professionals should work in partnership with families, ensuring that the views, wishes and feelings of children, young people and their parents are taken into account when planning and reviewing support.
Families should continue to speak with their child's educational setting if they have concerns about their child's development, learning or progress.
What does this mean for Redbridge families?
At the time of writing, local arrangements for Experts at Hand continue to be developed across the country. In many areas, including Redbridge, it is anticipated that Local Authorities will build on existing services such as:
Further information about the local Experts at Hand offer will be published as services develop and implementation progresses. Parents and carers should continue to access support through their child's educational setting and existing SEND pathways while the programme is rolled out nationally.
How can RIASS help?
RIASS provides free, confidential, impartial information, advice and support for parents, carers and young people aged 16-25 regarding SEND.
We can help you understand:
Supporting the development of Experts at Hand in Redbridge
As Redbridge's Information, Advice and Support Service, RIASS is committed to supporting the development of the local Experts at Hand offer.
We will work alongside the Local Authority and partner services by:
RIASS has a unique role in hearing directly from families across a wide range of SEND experiences. Through our advice work, community engagement and service feedback, we are able to identify common concerns, barriers and areas of good practice. This information can help inform the development of local services and ensure that future planning reflects the needs and priorities of Redbridge families.
Whilst RIASS supports consultation, participation and co-production activities, we remain an impartial service. Our role is to ensure that the views, wishes and experiences of children, young people and families are heard and considered within the development of local SEND services.
If you would like further information or advice about SEND support available to your child, please contact RIASS.
Please note: Experts at Hand is a new national programme. Information and local arrangements are expected to evolve as services are developed between 2026 and 2029. Availability and delivery models may vary between Local Authority area