Department for Education written question – answered at on 26 June 2026.
Lord Addington
Liberal Democrat
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the Experts at Hand offer will include experts in dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other recognised special educational needs within the neurodiverse spectrum.
Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Education), Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities) , The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
The Experts at Hand offer is primarily focused on providing mainstream settings with expert advice and guidance from education and healthcare experts to help them identify and meet a range of special educational needs including neurodiverse conditions. This includes strengthening early identification and supporting more effective and inclusive practice.
Experts at Hand works alongside existing statutory provision and does not replace established school led approaches or specialist one-to-one services, including speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.
Experts at Hand is in addition to enhanced teacher and support staff training to ensure all schools can provide a high-quality universal offer, and new National Inclusion Standards supporting teachers to use evidence-based strategies to identify and respond to pupils' needs.
