Purpose

This paper seeks approval for the procurement
strategy to for the Local Authority's SENDIASS and SEND Mediation
services.

Decision

The Deputy Leader approves
 

The procurement strategy for the
SEND Information,
Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) contract for an initial
period of five years with the option to extend for a further two
years, commencing 1st September 2026. 

 

The procurement approach for the
SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service contract for an initial period of
five years with the option to extend for a further two years,
commencing 1st September 2026. 

 

Appendix 1 is not for publication on
the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or
business affairs of any particular person (including the authority
holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A
of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Reasons for the decision

Provision of the SEND IASS service
is statutory as set out in the Children & Families Act 2014.
The SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS)
contract was awarded to Your Voice in Health and Social Care on 1
September 2021 and is due to expire on 31 August 2026 with no
option to extend.  As outlined in the strategy, an open
procurement for this service will allow the Council to test the
market whilst achieving value for money via a competitive tender
process.

 

Provision of the SEND Mediation and
Disagreement Resolution service is statutory as set out in Chapter
11 of the Code of Practice. Further, the service must be
independent of the local authority. The SEND Mediation and
Disagreement Resolution contract was awarded to KIDS on 01
September 2021 and is due to expire on 31 August 2026 with no
option to extend.  As outlined in the strategy, an open
procurement for this service will allow the Council to maintain
impartiality of service delivery and test the market to ensure
value for money via a competitive tender process within an
established pool of providers.

 

It should be noted that it is
anticipated there will be large changes to the SEND regulatory
landscape in the near future as a result of the proposed White
Paper. We will work with Legal during the drafting of any contract
for this procurement to include a variation clause which may be
triggered as a response to any published Reforms. 

 

Alternative options considered

1. Open Tender
Procurement (recommended)
This option is recommended. The service would
be commissioned by the local authority through a third-party
provider identified through a competitive open tender procurement
exercise. The successful provider will be responsible for the
employment of all staff and delivery of commissioned activity.
 
2. Commission delivery via another
borough’s service. 
This option is not recommended. Delivery of
the service would be provided by another LA’s delivery team,
operating at ‘arms-length’ of the host LA. The host LA
would maintain responsibility for employees and delivery of
commissioned activity.
 
3. Deliver an in-house
service. 
This option is not recommended. Service
delivery would be brough in house with staff employed directly by
the Council (excluding any volunteers). An
‘arms-length’ operating policy would be
implemented.