Newton Abbot is one of three areas in Devon selected for a new initiative that gives schools faster access to specialist support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Devon County Council will launch the Government's Experts at Hand initiative this autumn. The pilot areas are Newton Abbot, Bideford and Exeter Beacon.
The scheme brings together speech and language therapists, educational psychologists, occupational therapists and specialist teachers to work directly with mainstream schools. The aim is to provide quicker and more flexible access to expert advice, and to help teachers and other school staff build their skills in supporting children with additional needs.
The Newton Abbot pilot will involve a cluster of education providers rather than a single school. This allows the initiative to look at how children and young people can be supported at key transition points, from early years through to post-16 education.
Devon County Council said the three pilot areas were chosen to represent the county's coastal, urban and rural communities. They also have high numbers of children with needs including neuro-diversity, speech and language difficulties, and social and emotional needs.
The Newton Abbot pilot is part of a wider national programme of SEND reforms expected to roll out over the next three years.
Dr Rachel Hearn, Assistant Director of Psychology and Specialist Support at Devon County Council, said the model was developed following feedback from schools, young people, parents and carers. She said the initiative was designed to provide earlier support that is easier to access within local communities.
"As we roll out the pilot over its first year, we will continue to work closely with schools, families, children and young people to shape and develop the offer, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities across Devon," she said.
The scheme is not intended to replace existing support for children and young people in mainstream schools who already have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), or those waiting for an EHCP needs assessment.
In Newton Abbot and the other pilot areas, multi-disciplinary teams are being developed involving professionals from Devon County Council, Children and Family Health Devon and education providers.
Holly Billington, interim Children's Deputy Director for Children and Family Health Devon, said recruitment of staff for the teams was continuing. "We look forward to launching the pilot in collaboration with Devon County Council and will be announcing further details soon," she said.
The exact launch date for the Experts at Hand pilot has not yet been announced. Devon County Council said it would continue working with schools as the initiative develops and would keep parents and carers informed about the programme and its progress.
Newton Abbot Chosen for New SEND Support Pilot