Warrington will receive £1,659,144 to establish a new “Experts at Hand” SEND service, this follows Sarah Hall MP raising concerns with Ministers about delays and access to support for local families.
Sarah has been working with local families and schools to understand the impact of delays in the SEND system, and has taken these experiences directly to Ministers in Parliament, calling for earlier intervention and better access to specialist support.
The funding forms part of a £429 million national investment to improve access to specialist support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The new service will bring more professionals such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists directly into schools and other local settings.
Families across Warrington have raised concerns about long waits and a system that often steps in too late. The Experts at Hand programme is designed to change that, shifting support earlier so that children can get help before issues escalate further.
The new services will work through partnerships between mainstream schools, special schools and alternative provision, making it easier for children to access the support they need.
Alongside this investment, the Government has also confirmed additional funding for supported internships, helping young people with SEND build confidence, develop skills, and move into paid employment.
Sarah Hall, Member of Parliament for Warrington South, said: “I’ve heard from families across Warrington South about the long waits and the uphill battle to get the right support in place for their children. That simply isn’t good enough.
“I’ve been raising these issues directly with Ministers and pushing for change, so I’m pleased they’ve listened and that we’re now seeing real investment coming into Warrington.
“This new funding is about getting more support to children earlier, without parents having to fight every step of the way.
“Experts at Hand will bring specialists closer to our classrooms and our communities, opening up access that has too often felt out of reach.
“Every child deserves the chance to learn and thrive, and this is a step towards making that a reality here in Warrington South.
“But I know there’s more to do, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure families and young people get the support they need, when they need it”.
