Tender

Invitation to Tender for SEND Advisors (Re-opening of Lot 4 - ECSC Framework)

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

30 Sep 2025 at 08:59

TenderAmendment

29 Sep 2025 at 21:13

Tender

29 Sep 2025 at 21:07

Planning

19 Sep 2025 at 08:15

Planning

17 Sep 2025 at 12:27

Planning

17 Sep 2025 at 12:25

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education (DfE) is reopening its ECSC Framework to appoint Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Advisors for the fiscal year 2025-2026. This procurement process, currently at the tender stage, seeks new suppliers for Lot 4, with a focus on education and training services across various UK regions including London, North East, and Scotland among others. The procurement method is an open procedure above the threshold, complying with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Interested parties must submit their bids by 20th October 2025, while the contract period runs from 28th November 2025 to 31st March 2029.

This invitation to tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in education consulting and advisory services, particularly those with strong expertise in the SEND sector. The DfE seeks professionals with a robust understanding of SEND systems, and experience in influencing change and improvement in educational and local authority settings. Suitable candidates can leverage this framework to expand their client portfolio and contribute to transformative SEND reform initiatives. The procurement is designed to accommodate SMEs and VCSEs, promoting inclusive participation and fostering valuable partnerships with local authorities to deliver sustainable outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Invitation to Tender for SEND Advisors (Re-opening of Lot 4 - ECSC Framework)

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for supporting improvement in local authorities with regards to the provision of special educational needs and disability (SEND) services. This is done in part through drawing down external expertise to support local authorities. The Department wishes to appoint SEND Advisers in FY 25-26 to provide tailored advice and support to local authorities and help them improve readiness for and effectively implement the SEND reforms such that they sustainably deliver the best possible outcomes for their children and young people with SEND. These could be former or practising local government officers with a robust knowledge of the current SEND system. MAXIMUM VALUE: up to PS600 daily rate ex VAT DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES SEND Advisers will provide advisory support to a portfolio of local authorities as they work with their system partners to effectively plan and implement the SEND reforms such that they sustainably deliver the best possible outcomes for their children and young people with SEND. The role requires in-depth knowledge of the SEND sector as a whole, as well as understanding of strategy, governance and leadership for delivering system transformation and change. Essential skills and experience A strong understanding of the SEND system and underlying drivers of inclusive practice. Experience, knowledge and understanding of local area SEND provision. Experience in influencing effective change and improvement in educational settings and/or LAs. Strong communication skills to convey complex information effectively, engage with a wide range of partners and to manage competing views. The ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and proactively to support local areas to drive forward change and implementation at pace. Responsibilities Act as a critical friend and provide support and challenge to the designated authorities as required. Provide mentoring and coaching support to LA senior leaders and SEND management teams as required. Support the Department for Education to undertake reviews, as required, of relevant local authorities' progress against implementation. Provide written reports on local authorities' progress to DfE as required Provide other support services Additional information: This procurement is being conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The purpose of this notice is to invite potential new suppliers to submit bids for Lot 4: SEND Advisors. Lot 4 - SEND Advisors under ECSC Framework already exists. The department is reopening the existing framework, and this procurement will involve adding new suppliers and opening LOT4, and new call off agreements to allocate work. Supplier Instructions - Accessing Tender Documents via Jaggaer All interested suppliers must either: 1. Register on the Jaggaer e-Sourcing portal, or 2. Log in to their existing Jaggaer account. To access the tender documents, raise clarification questions, and submit responses, please follow these steps: 1. Go to the Jaggaer portal: (see link included) 2. Register by clicking "Click here to register!" and completing the required fields. 3. Once registered or logged in, navigate to "ITTs Open to All Suppliers". 4. Locate ITT_3709 and click to express interest in the procurement. After expressing interest, you will be able to access all tender documentation and begin your response.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-93f52be3-17f5-4111-9e0b-76a19a487d18
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/edd7c752-b9f2-4075-a2ec-6b45bb0bb8cd
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
29 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
implementationsupport.send@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
S1 2JF
Post Town
Sheffield
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), TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

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.

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