Experts at Hand: Occupational Therapy Inclusion & Participation Service

Norfolk County Council (NCC) proposes to procure an Occupational Therapy, Inclusion and Participation Service, which will form part of Norfolk's zone based, multidisciplinary Experts at Hand model. 'Experts at Hand' is designed to transform how support for children and young people with SEND is delivered, by bringing specialist expertise directly into mainstream early years, primary, secondary and post-16 settings. By embedding 'expert roles', such as occupational therapists alongside setting staff, and wider professionals. The offer supports earlier identification of need, strengthens workforce confidence and capability, and provides timely, evidence-based support within everyday learning environments. The Experts at Hand offer will support mainstream settings across early years, primary, secondary and post-16, to better identify and meet the needs of children and young people with emerging or identified SEND needs. It will provide dedicated professional expertise tailored to the needs of individual children and young people, through observation, assessment, and identifying appropriated targeted support to help more children and young people flourish within their settings. The contract is anticipated to start 4th January 2027 up to 31st March 2029 with an anticipated contract value of £3,383,930 excluding VAT.