Award

Contract for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

GATESHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

22 Dec 2025 at 09:25

Award

09 Dec 2025 at 17:02

Tender

08 Oct 2025 at 15:19

Planning

13 Aug 2025 at 08:50

Summary of the contracting process

Gateshead Borough Council has awarded a contract for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) to AXIS RECRUITMENT LIMITED. This service, required by the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice, is commissioned jointly with the NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. The procurement process was conducted via an open competition below the threshold, often referred to as a "light touch" regime. The contract, valued at £400,000, is set to commence on 1st February 2026 and run until 1st February 2028, with possible extensions up to February 2030. The procurement process, from the planning stage on 13th August 2025 to the award and contract signing in December 2025, involved a series of submissions and evaluations leading up to the final award announced on 22nd December 2025, targeting services in the UKC2 region.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in health and social work services. Particularly, it suits small and medium enterprises looking to expand their service offerings in the public sector. By involving organisations that can provide quality and socially valuable services to children, young people, and their families navigating educational and health-related processes, this procurement fosters an inclusive business landscape. Companies that can deliver innovative and efficient solutions will benefit from the structured opportunities for renewal, which extend the potential for long-term partnerships with local government bodies.

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Notice Title

Contract for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Notice Description

Special Educational Needs and Disability Information and Advice Support Service (SENDIASS), is a statutory service, covered under legislation in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice; 0 to 25 years. The service will deliver free, impartial, confidential, and accurate information, advice, and support concerning education, health, and social care. It will assist children, young people, and their families (CYPF) in understanding and navigating the processes associated with special educational needs and disabilities. The Borough Council of Gateshead (the Council) is acting as lead commissioner for this Service which is being commissioned jointly with the NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 24 months initial contract with the option to extend 2x 12 months

Planning Information

Online Market Engagement Event to be held on Teams Tuesday 2nd September 1pm to 2pm. Search 'Market Engagement - For the provision of Special Education Need and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)' OPEN Ref: #OPEN20251449 to register your interest and to complete the Market Engagement Questionnaire.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0586ad
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085230-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
9 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 1 Feb 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GATESHEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ashleighbillingham@gateshead.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GATESHEAD
Postcode
NE8 1HH
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear

Local Authority
Gateshead
Electoral Ward
Bridges
Westminster Constituency
Gateshead Central and Whickham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AXIS RECRUITMENT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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