Award

Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

15 Apr 2026 at 12:37

Tender

05 Dec 2025 at 11:16

Planning

12 Nov 2025 at 08:31

Summary of the contracting process

In a recent procurement process, Cumberland Council, a sub-central government public authority located in Carlisle, UK, commissioned Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services aimed at supporting parents and carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The process followed an open competition procurement method under a completed award stage, with the legal framework established by the UK Children and Families Act 2014. The contract was awarded to WHY MEDIATE LIMITED with an active status, beginning on 1st April 2026 for a three-year duration, with possibilities for extension. The primary focus is on improving outcomes for children and families, promoting health and wellbeing, and addressing disagreements related to educational provisions across the UKD real estate area.

This tender offers a promising avenue for organisations skilled in social work and support services to capitalise on growing business opportunities. Companies operating as SMEs or Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), specialising in mediation for SEND disputes, can leverage their expertise to meet the Council's service delivery objectives. By engaging effectively in this competitive sector, businesses can expand their profile and establish a significant foothold in the specialised service domains like education, health, and social care provision. This procurement aligns closely with the strategic priorities of the Council, potentially accommodating further contract extension contingent upon success and funding availability, opening further routes for collaboration and growth.

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Notice Title

Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

Notice Description

Cumberland Council have commissioned a provider to deliver Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services for parents/carers of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). These services aim to resolve disputes before an appeal is lodged with the First-tier Tribunal ("the Tribunal") about a local authority decision. Supporting outcomes in relation to this and the Council's Delivery Plan 2025-27 includes the following priorities: * Improving outcomes for children and families * Promoting health and wellbeing Disagreements can include the local authority's or an education provider's duties and provision, health and social care provision through the EHCP process and school exclusions for children with SEND.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is the potential for a contract extension of two x up to 12 months, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding.

Planning Information

We are inviting all interested organisations to attend this session on the 25th November 2025 at 13:00pm via Microsoft Teams, where there will be representatives from the Children and Family Wellbeing and Strategic Commissioning Teams. The agenda for the event will include: • A short presentation • A Q&A session Please register your interest on the Chest and complete and return the document attached to the notice. The Tender for the Contract is expected to be advertised towards the end of November/beginning of December, via the Chest Procurement Portal www.the-chest.org.uk

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05df23
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034213-2026
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

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£205,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£205,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£205,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
25 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
31 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD1 Cumbria

Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

WHY MEDIATE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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