Experts at Hand
Helping children get the right support, at the right time
Experts at Hand is a new way of supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Devon. It will support mainstream settings, including early years, schools and colleges.
We are working with Devon County Council to bring specialist advice and support into education settings. Our aim is to help children and young people earlier, so they can thrive in their learning and everyday life.
Experts at Hand brings health and education specialists together to support children and young people where they learn every day.Rather than waiting until difficulties become bigger, we work with education staff to spot needs early and find practical ways to help.Support is based on a child’s needs, not on whether they have a diagnosis.
The Experts at Hand multi-disciplinary team includes:
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Educational Psychologists
- Specialist Teachers
Together, we share knowledge and practical ideas that help children and young people to thrive in their mainstream education settings.
Our specialists work alongside education staff to:
✔ Offer advice and guidance
✔ Observe children in their learning environment
✔ Share practical strategies that can be used every day
✔ Coach and support staff
✔ Help with small groups or whole-class activities
✔ Provide targeted support when extra help is needed
Our goal is to build confidence in education settings so children can get the support they need as early as possible.
When children receive support early, they are more likely to:
- Feel confident and included
- Take part in learning and everyday activities
- Build important communication, learning and life skills
- Get help before small challenges become bigger ones
Early support also helps teachers and staff feel more confident in meeting a wide range of children’s needs.
Experts at Hand is part of a national initiative to improve support for children and young people with SEND.
Children Family Health Devon (CFHD) are working in partnership with Devon County Council to develop this initiative. We will continue learning and improving the initiative as it grows, making sure children, families and education settings receive the support they need.
Children do not need a diagnosis to benefit from Experts at Hand. Experts at Hand offers SEND support to children and young people by working with staff in education settings rather than through a referral route. By working closely with staff within education settings, we can:
- Identify needs earlier
- Offer practical support sooner
- Help children stay included in everyday learning
- Support teachers and staff to meet children’s needs
This means children can often get help more quickly, in the place where they already learn.
For more information, please visit: Experts at Hand – Children, families and education