Planning

Independent and Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS)

LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

11 Feb 2026 at 09:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 Jan 2026 at 15:26

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Lancashire County Council is planning to procure services in the special education sector through a scoping exercise to identify suitable Independent and Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS) providers. This initiative, focused on supporting children and young people with Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) requiring specialist placements, is currently in the planning stage. The procurement falls under the 'public authority - sub-central government' classification and is part of the services category. The exercise is set within the UK region, specifically targeting special education services, and aligns with the standards set by UKPGA 2023/54. Interested parties must submit their information by 16th February 2026, with the procurement anticipated to commence on 1st April 2026, continuing until 31st March 2028.

This procurement process offers significant opportunities for Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools, particularly those with expertise in supporting EHCPs. Businesses such as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to engage with this tender, given its focus on services and special regimes like light touch. The involvement of SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD as a procuring entity highlights the emphasis on social value deliverables within this contract, offering further prospects for growth and collaboration in the education sector. Businesses capable of providing specialist education services in the identified region, and able to meet the extended deadline for market engagement, are positioned ideally to leverage this procurement opportunity for future expansion.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent and Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS)

Notice Description

Lancashire County Council is conducting a scoping exercise to identify Independent and Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS) providers who can support children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) requiring specialist placements.

Planning Information

Lancashire County Council is conducting a scoping exercise to identify Independent and Non-Maintained Special School (INMSS) providers who can support children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) requiring specialist placements. Further information is contained within the 'INMS Scoping Exercise' document at the following link on LCC's Tendering Opportunities page: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/independent-and-non-maintained-special-school-inmss/ Please review the further information via the above link and if you have capacity now or in the future, please send the required information under the 'Information Requested' section of the attachment to: INMSS.Placements@lancashire.gov.uk Please note, there may not be any tendering exercises as this is a scoping market analysis exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060c83
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012216-2026
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

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80340000 - Special education services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 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
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
caphprocurement@lancashire.gov.uk, support@socialvalueportal.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PRESTON
Postcode
PR1 0LD
Post Town
Preston
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
TLD4 Lancashire
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Vauxhall
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

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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