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Experts at Hand and Local Authority SEND Transformation Fund

15 April 2026

Proposing MP
Houghton and Sunderland South
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Education

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement confirms funding allocation of £429 milli [5D [K million for the 2026 to 2027 financial year to local authorities through th [2D [K the Experts at Hand and Local Authority SEND Transformation Grant.

Action Requested

Local areas are required to work in partnership with [4D [K with Integrated Care Boards, using the funding to start delivering the new [K Experts at Hand offer by improving access to support from health and educat [6D [K education professionals. The transformation element of the funding will als [3D [K also enable the establishment of Speech and Language Therapist Advanced Pra [3D [K Practitioners and support local authorities in designing their Local SEND R [1D [K Reform Plans.

Key Facts

  • £429 million allocated for the 2026 to 2027 financial yea [3D [K year.
  • £1.8 billion over three years announced for Experts at Hand offer. [6D [K offer.
  • £200 million Transformation Funding confirmed for three years.
  • [9D [K years.
  • Local areas must work in partnership led by local authorities and [3D [K and Integrated Care Boards.
  • By 2029, typical settings could benefit from [4D [K from additional support equivalent to 40 days per average primary school an [2D [K and 160 days per average secondary school per year.
  • Speech and Language [K Therapist Advanced Practitioners will be established in every Integrated Ca [2D [K Care Board area.
  • Local authorities required to set out delivery model an [2D [K and use of funding within their Local SEND Reform Plans.
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