Purpose

The report will provide cabinet with information about the development of the Staffordshire SEND Reform Plan. The delivery of the plan is supported by the allocation of government grant funding. This grant funding is designed to build the infrastructure to support the local area to implement the SEND reforms. In the financial year 2026-27 Staffordshire has been allocated £6.1 million to deliver the Experts at Hand offer. The Experts at Hand grant will provide funding for Staffordshire County Council to work in partnership with the Integrated Care Board to develop and deliver a new Experts at Hand offer for mainstream education settings. This new offer is designed to strengthen the capability of mainstream education settings to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) more effectively and inclusively, by providing a new route to access expert advice and support from education and health professionals.