Provision of Experts at Hand Outreach Services

Medway Council is seeking to commission providers to deliver the Experts at Hand Partnership, a key element of the Council's SEND and Inclusion Reform Programme. The overarching aim of the programme is to increase the confidence, knowledge and capability of mainstream schools, settings and practitioners to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND through access to specialist expertise, workforce development, collaboration and system-wide improvement. The programme is founded on the principle that specialist expertise should be shared across the system to build sustainable capacity, strengthen inclusive practice and improve outcomes for children and young people. Delivery may include: •Consultation and coaching for schools and settings. •Workforce development, training and professional learning opportunities. •SEND leadership development and support for SENDCOs. •Communities of Practice and peer-to-peer learning. •Inclusion reviews and support for the implementation of Ordinarily Available Provision (OAP). •Development of resources, tools and practical guidance to support inclusive practice. •Parent, carer and stakeholder engagement activities. •Co-production and participation opportunities to inform service development. Delivery will be organised through the following specialist Lots: Lot 1 – Special School Inclusion Expertise •Special school outreach and inclusion support. •SENDCO development and coaching. •Inclusion reviews and curriculum adaptation. •Building mainstream workforce confidence in supporting children and young people with complex SEND. Lot 2 – Alternative Provision and SEMH Expertise •SEMH consultation and workforce development. •Attendance, engagement and reintegration support. •Relational practice and trauma-informed approaches. •Building capacity to meet the needs of children and young people at risk of exclusion. Lot 3 – Specialist SEND Expertise •Access to specialist SEND knowledge and guidance. •Specialist consultation and training