Award of Specialist Providers and Further Education Placements For Post-16 High Needs Students

Contract summary

Industry

• Higher education services - 80300000

Location of contract

North East

Value of contract

£990,000

Procurement reference

21103

Published date

27 February 2018

Closing date

19 August 2017

Contract start date

1 September 2017

Contract end date

31 August 2018

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Other: Single Tender

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

No

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

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Description

AWARD ONLY
Local authorities are responsible for commissioning and contracting for learning provision for Post-16 High Needs Students. A number of specialist placements are made with Specialist Providers and Further Education Colleges for students requiring high levels of additional learning support. The placements are made to meet specific and complex educational, medical and, in some cases, related social care needs. With respect to Specialist Providers the waiver is requested only for placements that fall outside the NE12 arrangements. Each year there are approximately 90 High Needs Learners in this type of provision, with the majority being placed in Further Education Colleges. All placements are made in appropriate settings in line with Education Health and Care Plans and the SEND Code of Practice. These providers are registered with Ofsted and overseen by the Education Skills and Funding Agency (ESFA). The Local Authority complies with the ESFA's High Needs Funding Guidance which is published on the ESFA website and refreshed annually. Placements are made on the basis of the provider being able to meet the assessed needs of the student with priority being given to placing students in locally based provision and minimising the need for expensive out of area placements. The maximum duration of a placement in post-16 education for these learners is usually 3 years. Annual progression against outcomes is measured to assess continuation from one year to the next. This process is part of the Local Authority's statutory responsibilities associated with reviewing EHC Plans which is set down in the SEND Code of Practice.

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Award information

Awarded date

11 August 2017

Contract start date

1 September 2017

Contract end date

31 March 2018

Total value of contract

£990,000

This contract was awarded to 6 suppliers.

Tyne Coast College

Newcastle College

Northumberland College

Derwin College

BUZZ LEARNING LIMITED

HEALTH EDUCATION ENGLAND (NHS GROUP)

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About the buyer

Address

Quadrant
Cobalt Business Park, Silverlink North
North Tyneside
NE27 0BY
England

Email

Christine.Bordoli@northtyneside.gov.uk