Published date: 28 May 2025
Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.
Contract summary
Industry
Education and training services - 80000000
Location of contract
North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London, South East, South West
Value of contract
£945,453.10
Procurement reference
tender_471382/1481920
Published date
28 May 2025
Closing date
12 March 2025
Closing time
5pm
Contract start date
30 April 2025
Contract end date
31 March 2026
Contract type
Service contract
Procedure type
Open procedure (above threshold)
Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.
This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.
Contract is suitable for SMEs?
Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?
Yes
Description
This contract is to deliver training to a minimum of 1,000 early years (EY) Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) resulting in an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. The training will be for SENCOs working in group-based and childminder settings. The training will be available across England.
Early identification of SEND is essential. As set out in statutory guidance SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25) ("the code of practice"), it is particularly important in the early years that there is no delay in making any necessary special educational provision. Early action to address identified needs is critical to preparing children for school, and to the future progress and improved outcomes that are essential in helping children to prepare for adult life.
Providing high quality special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) training for the Early Years workforce is therefore essential to address challenges within the current EY SEND system, including maximising access to entitlement places and delivering quality care and early intervention for children with SEND whilst in settings. SENCOs play a fundamental role in this.
The primary objective for any future training would be to increase the number of level 3 qualified SENCOs available to children in group-based and childminder settings, who have the knowledge and skills to properly fulfil the role of a SENCO, as described in the Code of Practice.
The role of the SENCO involves:
- ensuring all educators in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting's approach to identifying and meeting SEN
- advising and supporting colleagues
- ensuring parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting, and
- liaising with professionals or agencies beyond the setting.
More information
Previous notice about this procurement
Early Years: Accredited level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)
- Opportunity
- Published 10 February 2025
Attachments
Award information
Awarded date
30 April 2025
Contract start date
30 April 2025
Contract end date
31 March 2026
Total value of contract
£945,453
This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.
Best Practice Network Ltd
Address
Newminster House, 27-29 Baldwin Street, Bristol, BS1 1LT
Reference
No reference - other
Supplier is SME?
Yes
Supplier is VCSE?
No
About the buyer
Contact name
Jo Foster
Address
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London
London
SW1P 3BT
England
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Closing: 12 March 2025, 5pm
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