Award

Early Years: Accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

28 May 2025 at 14:55

Award Notice
Tender

10 Feb 2025 at 12:03

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education has completed the procurement process for providing accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) in early years settings. This initiative aims to train a minimum of 1,000 SENCOs across various regions in England, including the North East, North West, and London, among others. The procurement followed an open procedure, with an overall contract value of £945,453 GBP. The contract was awarded to Best Practice Network Ltd on 30th April 2025, with the contract period extending from 30th April 2025 to 31st March 2026. This project falls under the Education and Training Services category and plays a critical role in the early identification and support of children with special educational needs.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for growth for businesses specialising in educational training services, particularly those with expertise in special educational needs. With a focus on delivering high-quality training to SENCOs, companies with experience in educational programme development, teacher training, and special needs education are well-suited to participate. Additionally, the contract's emphasis on expanding accessibility across multiple regions in England makes it suitable for businesses capable of operating at scale, such as SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises. The initiative is designed to enhance the skills of the Early Years workforce, helping to address challenges within the SEND system and improve outcomes for children with special needs, thereby providing a positive impact on the community and a growth avenue for participating businesses.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Early Years: Accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)

Notice Description

This contract is to deliver training to a minimum of 1,000 early years (EY) Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) resulting in an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. The training will be for SENCOs working in group-based and childminder settings. The training will be available across England. Early identification of SEND is essential. As set out in statutory guidance SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25) ("the code of practice"), it is particularly important in the early years that there is no delay in making any necessary special educational provision. Early action to address identified needs is critical to preparing children for school, and to the future progress and improved outcomes that are essential in helping children to prepare for adult life. Providing high quality special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) training for the Early Years workforce is therefore essential to address challenges within the current EY SEND system, including maximising access to entitlement places and delivering quality care and early intervention for children with SEND whilst in settings. SENCOs play a fundamental role in this. The primary objective for any future training would be to increase the number of level 3 qualified SENCOs available to children in group-based and childminder settings, who have the knowledge and skills to properly fulfil the role of a SENCO, as described in the Code of Practice. The role of the SENCO involves: - ensuring all educators in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting's approach to identifying and meeting SEN - advising and supporting colleagues - ensuring parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting, and - liaising with professionals or agencies beyond the setting.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1f513d02-fa33-46bf-a47e-f3da4bc0ac19
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/611a7ddd-d34d-4d48-820f-ddb87887334b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£945,453 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£945,453 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Apr 20259 months ago
Contract Period
29 Apr 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BEST PRACTICE NETWORK

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-1f513d02-fa33-46bf-a47e-f3da4bc0ac19-2025-05-28T15:55:26+01:00",
    "date": "2025-05-28T15:55:26+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-1f513d02-fa33-46bf-a47e-f3da4bc0ac19",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_471382/1481920",
        "title": "Early Years: Accredited Level 3 training for Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs)",
        "description": "This contract is to deliver training to a minimum of 1,000 early years (EY) Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) resulting in an accredited Level 3 EY SENCO qualification. The training will be for SENCOs working in group-based and childminder settings. The training will be available across England. Early identification of SEND is essential. As set out in statutory guidance SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25) (\"the code of practice\"), it is particularly important in the early years that there is no delay in making any necessary special educational provision. Early action to address identified needs is critical to preparing children for school, and to the future progress and improved outcomes that are essential in helping children to prepare for adult life. Providing high quality special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) training for the Early Years workforce is therefore essential to address challenges within the current EY SEND system, including maximising access to entitlement places and delivering quality care and early intervention for children with SEND whilst in settings. SENCOs play a fundamental role in this. The primary objective for any future training would be to increase the number of level 3 qualified SENCOs available to children in group-based and childminder settings, who have the knowledge and skills to properly fulfil the role of a SENCO, as described in the Code of Practice. The role of the SENCO involves: - ensuring all educators in the setting understand their responsibilities to children with SEND and the setting's approach to identifying and meeting SEN - advising and supporting colleagues - ensuring parents are closely involved throughout and that their insights inform action taken by the setting, and - liaising with professionals or agencies beyond the setting.",
        "datePublished": "2025-02-10T12:03:23Z",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "80000000",
            "description": "Education and training services"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "North West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "Yorkshire and the Humber",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "West Midlands",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "East of England",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "London",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South East",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "South West",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 945453.1,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure (above threshold)",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-03-12T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-04-30T00:00:00+01:00",
            "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/aaa9a19e-ad36-4bb2-b681-1ef02667f1e1",
                "datePublished": "2025-02-10T12:03:23Z",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "description": "Link to DfE's e-Tendering Portal (Jaggaer)",
                "url": "https://education.app.jaggaer.com/"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-99308",
            "name": "Department for Education",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Department for Education"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 3BT",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Jo Foster",
                "email": "EYRecovery.SENCOTRAINING@education.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-305764",
            "name": "Department for Education",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Department for Education"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street, London",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 3BT",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Jo Foster",
                "email": "EYRecovery.SENCOTRAINING@education.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-192806",
            "name": "Best Practice Network Ltd",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Best Practice Network Ltd"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Newminster House, 27-29 Baldwin Street, Bristol, BS1 1LT"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-305764",
        "name": "Department for Education"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-1f513d02-fa33-46bf-a47e-f3da4bc0ac19-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2025-04-30T00:00:00+01:00",
            "datePublished": "2025-05-28T15:55:26+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amount": 945453,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-192806",
                    "name": "Best Practice Network Ltd"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-04-30T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/611a7ddd-d34d-4d48-820f-ddb87887334b",
                    "datePublished": "2025-05-28T15:55:26+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                },
                {
                    "id": "2",
                    "description": "n/a",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/fb6faf0d-5dc0-4b79-b19c-b7347f6f0d0c",
                    "format": "application/pdf"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}