Published date: 3 November 2021

Last edited date: 3 November 2021

This notice was replaced on 3 November 2021

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 11 August 2022)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

Any region

Procurement reference

tender_289039/1009004

Published date

3 November 2021

Closing date

10 December 2021

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The purpose of this notice is to notify the market of forthcoming procurement activity relating to accredited Level 3 Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) training for group based early years providers and for childminders.

That is, those who are, or who will be, fulfilling the role of SENCO as described in paragraph 5.53 of the SEND Code of Practice.

This notice is associated with the EY Recovery Programme strand 5 Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) training: Invest in specialist SEND expertise by increasing the number of staff with an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification, leading to better identification of SEND and better support for those children.

Further details can be found at:

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e7a7a398-393a-40c6-b586-1bf5dec6cf08

An early engagement event will be held at 3pm on 10 November 2021. To register for the event, email:

EarlyYearsEducator.QUALIFICATIONS@education.gov.uk

You can also respond to this notice by completing our questionnaire. For a copy of the questionnaire please email the address above.

Evidence suggests that the vast majority of group based providers and childminders have access to a designated SENCO. However, there is a need to scale up the provision of qualified SENCOs, especially in areas with higher levels of disadvantage.

Increasing the number of trained SENCOs will contribute to better SEND identification and support, at a time when the Covid 19 pandemic has significantly reduced opportunities to identify and address SEND amongst children not yet of compulsory school age.

We know that there are a number of organisations across England offering an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. We are seeking an opportunity to increase the number of training places available to group based staff and childminders.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Early Years: accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators

  • Early engagement
  • Published 3 November 2021

Additional text

Please note: this notice is for expressions of interest from organisations interested in the SENCO training element of the Department's Early Years Recovery Programme.

This notice is for information only and is intended to be indicative. Therefore, all information presented here is subject to change. Accordingly, DfE will not be liable for any cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any party acting on the basis of this PIN.

All future information will be issued to potential providers via the DfE eTendering Portal. Providers can access this system at:

https://education.app.jaggaer.com/

for details of how to register and the terms of free registration.

About the buyer

Contact name

Department for Education

Address

Sanctuary Building, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Email

EarlyYearsEducator.QUALIFICATIONS@education.gov.uk