Planning

Visual Impairment Outreach Service

LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

15 Jan 2026 at 13:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

14 Jan 2026 at 14:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Enfield is initiating preliminary market engagement to gather insights for its Visual Impairment Outreach Service within the borough. This planning stage invites organizations to complete a Soft Market Test (SMT) Questionnaire to help shape future procurement. The engagement targets the health and social work services industry category, with a particular focus on supporting children and young people with visual impairments. Organizations must submit their questionnaires by 5 February 2026, via the council’s procurement portal, Atamis. This preliminary engagement is not a call to competition but intends to inform the council of viable market solutions, with a potential procurement notice foreseen in early Spring 2026.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specializing in assistive technologies and educational support services tailored for visually impaired individuals. It is particularly suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSE) that can provide innovative solutions aligning with statutory requirements and the council's strategic aims, such as inclusion and educational attainment. The future service is expected to integrate direct outreach, school staff training, and family support, requiring businesses that can efficiently manage resources and adapt to evolving demands. With an estimated maximum annual budget of £161,000, potential contractors must demonstrate expertise in delivering high-quality support and meeting Enfield's specific educational and integration demands.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Visual Impairment Outreach Service

Notice Description

The London Borough of Enfield ('the Council) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to gather market intelligence and obtain views regarding the provision of its Visual Impairment Outreach Service in the borough. As part of this preliminary market engagement, the Council invites interested organisations to engage via completion of the Council's Soft Market Test (SMT) Questionnaire, Appendix 2 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Completed SMT Questionnaires are to be submitted via the messaging page of the Council's procurement portal, Atamis, by 12:00 noon on 5 February 2026. Please note that interested organisations must register on the portal to submit responses. The link to the portal can be found here: https://londonboroughofenfield.my.site.com/s/Welcome . The portal can also be accessed via the Council's website (www.enfield.gov.uk) by clicking https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/doing-business-with-the-council#find-opportunities-to-sell-to-the-council The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to help inform the Council's options and further decision making where appropriate. For the avoidance of doubt, this preliminary market engagement notice is intended as an awareness/information gathering exercise only and is not a call to competition, is not a pre-qualification process and is not the start of a formal procurement exercise. Participation or non-participation in this preliminary market engagement shall not prevent any potential provider participating in, nor shall it place any potential provider at an advantage in any future procurement opportunity. Any future procurement opportunity could be published in the early Spring of 2026. However, this timeframe is indicative only and the Council reserves the right to reschedule any forthcoming publication at any time. Participants must also know that they should cover their own cost of participating in this preliminary market engagement and the Council is not liable for any cost incurred due to potential provider's participation in the exercise. Description of the procurement The Visual Impairment Outreach Service provides specialist support to visually impaired children and young people aged 0-25 years, enabling them to access the educational curriculum alongside their peers. This is a statutory requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010, with delivery guided by the SEND Code of Practice. Historically, the service has operated through direct outreach, partnership working, and integration with wider SEND provision. Demand has evolved in response to demographic changes and advances in assistive technology. Recent trends include increased demand, a focus on inclusive education, digital solutions for remote support, and further integration with wider SEND services. The service is shaped by both national policy and Enfield Council's SEND strategy, with all operations underpinned by safeguarding and best practice standards. The Council would like to find out about the solutions that the market currently or potentially offers, along with the types of innovation or areas of best practice that are being developed and could meet the Council's current requirements and/or make improvements to future service delivery. Please note that information provided is purely for information only, and to inform the Council of solutions that it may not already be aware of. It may also inform and shape any future requirements, whilst reflecting common traits across the marketplace, where appropriate. The existing Visual Impairment Outreach Service contract currently supports 162 Enfield children and young people, providing specialist advice, assessment, and training to families, schools, and professionals. The intention of any future procurement would be to ensure continuation of high-quality, accessible support for all eligible children and young people, promoting inclusion and independence. The future service will include direct outreach, training for school staff, family support, and integration with other SEND services. Provision must be available for Enfield's children and young people, including visits to educational establishments outside of Enfield's boundary if a child or young person should attend one of these, and also within independent educational establishments if the child or young person has an Education Health, and Care Plan. Key Challenges * Meeting diverse needs * Managing resources efficiently while maintaining a quality service, and * Responding to demographic changes Key Stakeholders * Children * Families Schools * Health professionals, and * Voluntary organisations The project is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes, achieving value for money, and complying with statutory duties. At present, the estimated maximum annual budget for this service is PS161,000. Any future commercial arrangement aims to deliver a responsive, high-quality Visual Impairment Outreach Service that employs people with the qualifications and expertise required to support children and young people, schools, and families. Strategic Aims * Promoting inclusion * Improving educational attainment, and * Empowering families Operational requirements include rapid response to referrals, flexible service delivery, integration with other SEND services, and robust performance monitoring (see Appendix 2 for draft Service Specification and KPIs). Expected Outcomes * Improved access to education * Increased independence * High satisfaction rates, and * Compliance with statutory duties Due to the specialist nature of the service, the Council currently envisages that a single supplier will deliver the next generation Visual Impairment Outreach Service contract. Draft Service Specification for future Visual Impairment Outreach Service is set out in Appendix 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Additional information Please note that organisations will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this preliminary market engagement.

Planning Information

The London Borough of Enfield (‘the Council) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to gather market intelligence and obtain views regarding the provision of its Visual Impairment Outreach Service in the borough. As part of this preliminary market engagement, the Council invites interested organisations to engage via completion of the Council’s Soft Market Test (SMT) Questionnaire, Appendix 2 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Completed SMT Questionnaires are to be submitted via the messaging page of the Council’s procurement portal, Atamis, by 12:00 noon on 5 February 2026. Please note that interested organisations must register on the portal to submit responses. The link to the portal can be found here: https://londonboroughofenfield.my.site.com/s/Welcome . The portal can also be accessed via the Council’s website (www.enfield.gov.uk) by clicking https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/doing-business-with-the-council#find-opportunities-to-sell-to-the-council

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0605c7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003498-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£805,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jan 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LONDON BOROUGH OF ENFIELD
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.support@enfield.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
ENFIELD
Postcode
EN1 3XA
Post Town
Enfield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI5 Outer London - East and North East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI54 Enfield
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Enfield
Electoral Ward
Town
Westminster Constituency
Enfield North

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0605c7-2026-01-15T13:39:17Z",
    "date": "2026-01-15T13:39:17Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0605c7",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PRYN-6967-GTQP",
            "name": "London Borough of Enfield",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PRYN-6967-GTQP"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Civic Centre, Silver Street",
                "locality": "Enfield",
                "postalCode": "EN1 3XA",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI54"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement.support@enfield.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PRYN-6967-GTQP",
        "name": "London Borough of Enfield"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The London Borough of Enfield ('the Council) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to gather market intelligence and obtain views regarding the provision of its Visual Impairment Outreach Service in the borough. As part of this preliminary market engagement, the Council invites interested organisations to engage via completion of the Council's Soft Market Test (SMT) Questionnaire, Appendix 2 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Completed SMT Questionnaires are to be submitted via the messaging page of the Council's procurement portal, Atamis, by 12:00 noon on 5 February 2026. Please note that interested organisations must register on the portal to submit responses. The link to the portal can be found here: https://londonboroughofenfield.my.site.com/s/Welcome . The portal can also be accessed via the Council's website (www.enfield.gov.uk) by clicking https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/doing-business-with-the-council#find-opportunities-to-sell-to-the-council",
                "dueDate": "2026-02-05T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "003146-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003146-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-14T14:40:14Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "003498-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003498-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-15T13:39:17Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C8807",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Visual Impairment Outreach Service",
        "description": "The London Borough of Enfield ('the Council) is undertaking preliminary market engagement to gather market intelligence and obtain views regarding the provision of its Visual Impairment Outreach Service in the borough. As part of this preliminary market engagement, the Council invites interested organisations to engage via completion of the Council's Soft Market Test (SMT) Questionnaire, Appendix 2 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Completed SMT Questionnaires are to be submitted via the messaging page of the Council's procurement portal, Atamis, by 12:00 noon on 5 February 2026. Please note that interested organisations must register on the portal to submit responses. The link to the portal can be found here: https://londonboroughofenfield.my.site.com/s/Welcome . The portal can also be accessed via the Council's website (www.enfield.gov.uk) by clicking https://www.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/doing-business-with-the-council#find-opportunities-to-sell-to-the-council The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to help inform the Council's options and further decision making where appropriate. For the avoidance of doubt, this preliminary market engagement notice is intended as an awareness/information gathering exercise only and is not a call to competition, is not a pre-qualification process and is not the start of a formal procurement exercise. Participation or non-participation in this preliminary market engagement shall not prevent any potential provider participating in, nor shall it place any potential provider at an advantage in any future procurement opportunity. Any future procurement opportunity could be published in the early Spring of 2026. However, this timeframe is indicative only and the Council reserves the right to reschedule any forthcoming publication at any time. Participants must also know that they should cover their own cost of participating in this preliminary market engagement and the Council is not liable for any cost incurred due to potential provider's participation in the exercise. Description of the procurement The Visual Impairment Outreach Service provides specialist support to visually impaired children and young people aged 0-25 years, enabling them to access the educational curriculum alongside their peers. This is a statutory requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Equality Act 2010, with delivery guided by the SEND Code of Practice. Historically, the service has operated through direct outreach, partnership working, and integration with wider SEND provision. Demand has evolved in response to demographic changes and advances in assistive technology. Recent trends include increased demand, a focus on inclusive education, digital solutions for remote support, and further integration with wider SEND services. The service is shaped by both national policy and Enfield Council's SEND strategy, with all operations underpinned by safeguarding and best practice standards. The Council would like to find out about the solutions that the market currently or potentially offers, along with the types of innovation or areas of best practice that are being developed and could meet the Council's current requirements and/or make improvements to future service delivery. Please note that information provided is purely for information only, and to inform the Council of solutions that it may not already be aware of. It may also inform and shape any future requirements, whilst reflecting common traits across the marketplace, where appropriate. The existing Visual Impairment Outreach Service contract currently supports 162 Enfield children and young people, providing specialist advice, assessment, and training to families, schools, and professionals. The intention of any future procurement would be to ensure continuation of high-quality, accessible support for all eligible children and young people, promoting inclusion and independence. The future service will include direct outreach, training for school staff, family support, and integration with other SEND services. Provision must be available for Enfield's children and young people, including visits to educational establishments outside of Enfield's boundary if a child or young person should attend one of these, and also within independent educational establishments if the child or young person has an Education Health, and Care Plan. Key Challenges * Meeting diverse needs * Managing resources efficiently while maintaining a quality service, and * Responding to demographic changes Key Stakeholders * Children * Families Schools * Health professionals, and * Voluntary organisations The project is driven by a commitment to improving outcomes, achieving value for money, and complying with statutory duties. At present, the estimated maximum annual budget for this service is PS161,000. Any future commercial arrangement aims to deliver a responsive, high-quality Visual Impairment Outreach Service that employs people with the qualifications and expertise required to support children and young people, schools, and families. Strategic Aims * Promoting inclusion * Improving educational attainment, and * Empowering families Operational requirements include rapid response to referrals, flexible service delivery, integration with other SEND services, and robust performance monitoring (see Appendix 2 for draft Service Specification and KPIs). Expected Outcomes * Improved access to education * Increased independence * High satisfaction rates, and * Compliance with statutory duties Due to the specialist nature of the service, the Council currently envisages that a single supplier will deliver the next generation Visual Impairment Outreach Service contract. Draft Service Specification for future Visual Impairment Outreach Service is set out in Appendix 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement documentation. Additional information Please note that organisations will not be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this preliminary market engagement.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85000000",
                        "description": "Health and social work services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 966000,
            "amount": 805000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-08-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "003498-2026",
                "description": "Error in hyperlink contained within Description"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}