Published date: 13 June 2023

Last edited date: 14 June 2023

This notice was replaced on 13 June 2023

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

Awarded contract (published 14 September 2023)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Primary education services - 80100000

  • Secondary education services - 80200000

  • Health services - 85100000

    • Social work and related services - 85300000

Location of contract

East Midlands

Value of contract

£2,900,000

Procurement reference

LINCOLN001-DN663302-49596010

Published date

13 June 2023

Closing date

13 July 2023

Closing time

3pm

Contract start date

1 November 2023

Contract end date

31 October 2028

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

On behalf of all Local Authorities in the East Midlands, Lincolnshire County Council is leading the procurement of Regional SEND Mediation Advice Services, Mediation Services and Disagreement Resolution (DR) Services.

The East Midlands Region is made up of ten (10) Local Authorities (LAs) as listed below:
Derby City Council
Derbyshire County Council
Leicester City Council
Leicestershire County Council
Lincolnshire County Council
North Northamptonshire Council
West Northamptonshire Council
Nottingham City Council
Nottinghamshire County Council
Rutland County Council

The Service shall consist of three (3) elements: Mediation Advice Services, Mediation Services and DR Services, and shall be delivered to CYP with SEND aged 0-25 years living within the East Midlands.

Lincolnshire County Council will act as the Lead Authority on behalf of all ten (10) LAs within East Midlands for the procurement and contract management of the service: however, the successful Supplier will enter into individual agreements with each LA to deliver the Service.

All ten LAs (the Customer) require the supply of unbiased Mediation Advice Services, Mediation Services and DR Services (The Service) for Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) and their families as part of the single route of redress from 1st November 2023. For the avoidance of doubt this means that the Service shall be fully operational from the 1st November 2023.

The Children and Families Act (2014) sets out the way in which services and provision are made for families of CYP with SEND aged 0-25 years. This Act, specifically Sections 51-57 and 60, defines the statutory duties for local authorities with regard to appeals, Mediation Advice, Mediation and DR Services, along with Chapter 11 of the associated SEND Code of Practise (COP) 2015. This service shall have due regard to relevant legislation and ensure it supports LAs to meet their statutory duty and the needs of CYP with SEND.

Mediation Advice Services and Mediation Services are in place to help settle disputes between CYP, families and LAs relating to Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment requests, EHC Needs Assessments or elements of content within the EHC Plan (EHCP).

DR is voluntary for all parties and complements Mediation Advice and Mediation to resolve disagreements which may be related to the fulfilment of duties, SEND provision and health and social care provision for CYP with SEND, including disagreements between health commissioners and LAs.

An online supplier briefing event will be held on Monday 26th July 2023 at 10:00am. The online event will briefly outline the requirements of the delivery of Mediation Advice Services, Mediation Services and DR Services in the East Midlands. To book into the briefing event please email fliss.christopher@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Regional SEND Mediation Advice, Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

  • Opportunity
  • Published 13 June 2023

Links

About the buyer

Contact name

Chelsea Wheeler

Address

County Offices
Newland
Lincoln
LN1 1YL
United Kingdom

Telephone

+44 7770642414

Email

chelsea.wheeler@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Website

https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk