Regional SEND Mediation Advice, Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

Tender 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.\r \r The East Midlands Region is made up of ten (10) Local Authorities (LAs) as listed below:\r Derby City Council\r Derbyshire County Council\r Leicester City Council\r Leicestershire County Council\r Lincolnshire County Council\r North Northamptonshire Council\r West Northamptonshire Council\r Nottingham City Council\r Nottinghamshire County Council\r Rutland County Council\r \r 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. \r \r 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.\r \r 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.\r \r 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. \r \r 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). \r \r 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.\r \r An online supplier briefing event will be held on Monday 26th June 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.