Social work and related services

Tender description

Provision of Post 16 Special Educational Needs (SEN) learning providers in order to meet the local authority's obligations under the children and families Act 2014. These cooperation agreements with a number of providers cover the provision of Post 16 Special Educational Needs (SEN) Learning, The duration of the cooperation agreement is for 5 years from 1 September 2020 until 31st August 2025 with the option to extend for a further period of up to 5 years. The estimated value of the contracts is GBP 3 448 055 per annum (an estimated total of GBP 34 480 550 over 10 years across multiple providers this total is an approximation and it is unlikely to be divided evenly between providers). There are approximately 1 100 high needs students in post 16 education provision in the city currently. From April 2013 the local authority became responsible for the administration of element 3 funding. This is top up funding required over and above that provided by the initial place funding (element 1 and element 2); to enable a student with high needs to participate in education and learning. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) makes an allocation to local authorities for element 3, through the dedicated school grant (DSG). This forms part of the high needs budget. Local authorities then use their high needs budget to pay top-up funding to institutions. Learners who attract element 3 funding will usually have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which identifies their learning institution. The most appropriate learning institution is determined in consultation with the learner and their parent/carer. Where there is an EHCP, provision is named in the EHCP so there is a commitment to fund that organisation.