F015PS - SEND Integrated Therapy Service 0-25

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, Essex County Council has a statutory duty to secure the special educational provision specified in Section F of education, health and plans for children (EHCPs). This includes access to Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy. These services are critical to the educational outcomes, safeguarding and wider wellbeing for children and young people. A new contract is required to ensure the continued delivery of these services.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice, Essex County Council has a statutory duty to secure the special educational provision specified in Section F of education, health and plans for children (EHCPs). This includes access to Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy. These services are critical to the educational outcomes, safeguarding and wider wellbeing for children and young people.

Following the conclusion of the internal governance process, Essex County Council ("the Council") is due to award a contract to deliver the SEND Therapies service to the incumbent provider under the Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. Please note that the award of the contract for this service remains subject to the successful conclusion of the standstill period as detailed within section IV of this notice.

This service is being commissioned under a term of three (3) years. The commencement date of this contract will be 27 August 2026 with an expiry date of 26 July 2029.

The contract value for Lot 1 is £4,211,000.

Following the Council's assessment of the incumbent provider's delivery of the current service against the key criteria within the Provider Selection Regime as outlined below, the Council is assured that the provider is delivering the current SEND Therapies contract to a sufficient standard. Furthermore, the Council is satisfied that the provider will satisfy the proposed new contract to a sufficient standard following a review of the following key criteria:

1. Quality and Innovation (22.5%)

2. Value (22.5%)

3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability (22.5%)

4. Improving access, reducing health inequality and facilitating choice (22.5%)

5. Social Value (10%)