Planning

Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings for Sight tests and Hearing checks

NHS BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET, SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

30 Jan 2026 at 10:41

Summary of the contracting process

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Boards (BSW ICB), along with NHS Somerset ICB and Dorset ICB, are initiating a planning phase for a public procurement focused on providing Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings (SES) for sight tests and hearing checks. This is a market engagement exercise designed to garner insights and interest from potential service providers regarding the provision of sensory checks within the UKK region, covering Bath, North East Somerset, Swindon, Wiltshire, Somerset, and Dorset. The process falls under the Health Care Services category with the tender currently in the planning stage. Interested providers must express interest by 4pm on 20th February 2026 to participate in a virtual market engagement event scheduled for 26th February 2026. This advance notice is part of the Provider Selection Regime and will adhere to regulations outlined in the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, aiming towards a future competitive procurement process.

Businesses in the health services sector, particularly those with experience in eye and ear health services like ophthalmology and audiology, stand to benefit from this tender. The opportunity involves conducting comprehensive sensory checks and leveraging expertise to offer annual sight tests and bi-annual hearing assessments in educational settings. The process seeks service providers capable of delivering person-centred care, providing corrective measures, and facilitating timely referrals. Companies with capabilities in engaging educational stakeholders and managing health pathways efficiently will find this opportunity to be highly advantageous for business growth, given the procurement's estimated annual value of £536,000. Providers are encouraged to register interest via the e-procurement system, ensuring full access to specifications and the potential to collaborate with the NHS procurement units involved.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings for Sight tests and Hearing checks

Notice Description

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Boards (BSW ICB) acting as lead commissioner on behalf of NHS Somerset ICB and Dorset ICB are seeking market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced providers to understand the level of interest in this service and understand the opportunities and barriers in the provision of care within each locality, to assist Commissioners in developing their commissioning approach, lotting structure and service specifications for their Sensory Checks service in Special Educational Settings (SES) for sight testing and hearing checks across the BSW, Somerset and Dorset localities. The commissioners invite expressions of interest from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings, in line with the specified requirements. Providers wishing to take part in the market engagement must express an interest within the e-procurement system where providers will be given access to a draft specifications and registration questionnaire. Completed registration questionnaires (available via the portal) should be submitted no later than 4pm Friday, 20th February 2026 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system in order to receive an invite to the event. The market engagement event will be held virtually on Thursday 26th February 2026 from 2pm until 4pm via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided for those who express an interest in due course. Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Boards (BSW ICB) acting as lead commissioner on behalf of NHS Somerset ICB and Dorset ICB are seeking market engagement with suitably qualified and experienced providers to understand the level of interest in this service and understand the opportunities and barriers in the provision of care within each locality, to assist Commissioners in developing their commissioning approach, lotting structure and service specifications for their Sensory Checks service in Special Educational Settings (SES) for sight testing and hearing checks across BSW, Somerset and Dorset localities. The services must be person centred with reasonable adjustments and create a supportive needs-led environment to meet the needs of individual children and young people. The sight testing service will provide in-school sight testing and dispensing to all children and young people in residential and day SES and comprises of: * Annual sight tests, unless a more frequent interval is clinically indicated. * Offering corrective lenses where required. * Manage prompt and appropriate onward referral into appropriate established care pathways if further checks or treatment are required. * Providing access for any parents/carers/guardians to attend the sight test and selection of frames if they wish to do so. * Provide an eye health outcome and vision report. * Working closely with SES staff to ensure the service flexibly aligns with school capacity and schedules. * Engage with: o the SES school staff o parents/carers/guardians o children and young people attending the SES o Commissioners o the local eye health network (where they exist) o local optical committees The hearing checks service will provide in-school ear checks for all children and young people attending special residential schools and colleges and comprises of: * A hearing check twice during their school career with at least two years between checks (max. 3). * Early identification of potential ear-related problems (hearing loss, ear infections, occluding wax). * Effective monitoring of the overall health of their ears, including checking for the presence of any infections, blockages, or abnormalities * Timely intervention and appropriate management to ensure optimal ear health and support the children and young people's overall well-being and adjustments. * Prompt and appropriate onward referral of potential issues ensuring timely initiation of tests and treatment. * Provide appropriate information and advice to parents/carers/legal guardians, schools and colleges. * Provide close collaboration with school staff, parents, and carers to understand the individual child's specific needs. Further details can be found in the draft specifications via the expression of interest route. The anticipated annual contract value of the services across all localities is PS536,000. The Commissioners invite expressions of interest from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Sensory Checks in Special Educational Settings, in line with the specified requirements. Providers wishing to take part in the market engagement must express an interest within the e-procurement system where providers will be given access to a draft specifications and registration questionnaire. Completed registration questionnaires (available via the portal) should be submitted no later than 4pm Friday, 20th February 2026 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system in order to receive an invite to the event. The market engagement event will be held virtually on Thursday 26th February 2026 from 2pm until 4pm via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to those who express an interest in due course. Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0612b3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008345-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

85121240 - ENT or audiologist services

85121281 - Ophthalmologist 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 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Mar 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET, SWINDON AND WILTSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Additional Buyers

NHS DORSET INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

NHS SOMERSET INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

Contact Name
Caitlin Dyke
Contact Email
caitlin.dyke@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHIPPENHAM
Postcode
SN15 1GG
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

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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