Children and families across West Cumbria are set to benefit from a major new investment in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, as Cumberland Council receives £1.87 million to roll out a new “Experts at Hand” service.
The funding is part of a £429 million national programme to transform support for children with SEND, helping ensure they can access the right help earlier, without long waits or complex processes.
Whitehaven and Workington MP and Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister, helped to secure the funding, which will bring specialist expertise directly into local schools.
The new “Experts at Hand” service will give schools faster access to professionals such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists – meaning children can get support in place quickly, without needing to go through lengthy statutory assessments.
Josh MacAlister MP said:
“Too many families across West Cumbria have faced long waits and barriers to getting the support their children need.
“This £1.87 million investment will help change that – bringing specialist expertise straight into our schools so children can get help earlier, without parents having to fight for it.
“Whether it’s support from a speech and language therapist or advice from an educational psychologist, this new service will make a real difference for families across our communities.”
The funding will support a more joined-up approach between mainstream schools, specialist settings and local services, ensuring children with SEND can access help closer to home.
The announcement builds on the £4.2 million in High Needs capital funding already secured for Cumberland, which will be used to create more specialist places and improve facilities in local schools – helping more children learn in inclusive environments within their community.
It also forms part of the Government’s wider SEND reforms, set out in the Schools White Paper and currently out for consultation, which aim to restore confidence in the system and ensure support is delivered earlier and more consistently.
Last week, Josh brought together parents of children with SEND from across West Cumbria, supported by BEE Unique and Autism Support Allerdale and Copeland, to hear directly about their experiences and ensure local voices are shaping national reforms.
Josh MacAlister MP 