Social work and related services

Tender description

On 1.9.2014, Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014 took effect, offering simpler, improved and more consistent help for children and young people in England with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The new system is: — Replacing statements of SEN and learning disability assessments with coordinated Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans; — Requiring councils to publish a ‘local offer’ of support for children and young people with SEND; — Requiring better co-operation between councils and health services to make sure services are jointly planned and commissioned; — Giving parents and young people with EHC plans the offer of a personal budget; — Introducing mediation for disputes; — Introducing a legal right for children and young people with an EHC plan to express a preference for state academies, free schools and further education colleges. Government seeks a contractor to support local authorities and their health and social care partners in delivering these reforms. The estimated total value of this contract is up to 2 300 000 GBP in 2017-18 inclusive of VAT. There may be an option to extend this contract for up to 2 additional years depending on the contractor's performance, the availability of funds and an ongoing need for the services provided.