Tender

Educational Psychology Advice for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

15 Apr 2026 at 10:15

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council is conducting a procurement process to secure high-quality Educational Psychology services for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments across Carlisle, United Kingdom. This tender is currently in the 'Tender' stage and seeks proposals from providers to deliver locum Educational Psychologists services to meet statutory compliance and address workforce shortages. The process operates under an open competition method, classified within the psychiatrist or psychologist services category. Key deadlines include the submission of bids by 30th April 2026 and enquiry period ending on 27th April 2026. The initial contract term is set for four months, beginning on 1st June 2026, with a potential two-month extension, offering contract values ranging from £180,000 to £220,000 excluding VAT.

This tender represents a growth opportunity for businesses specialising in psychological services, particularly those experienced in educational assessments. It is particularly suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that can provide locum psychologists efficiently. The Council aims to foster competitive pricing with a focus on quality, weighting 60% for quality and 40% for price in the evaluation criteria. Engaging in this tender could enhance business visibility within the public sector and potentially secure a long-term partnership with a sub-central government entity. Businesses interested should ensure compliance with the tender requirements and utilise the online procurement portal, The Chest, for submissions and clarifications.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Educational Psychology Advice for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments

Notice Description

Cumberland Council is seeking to procure a provider to deliver Educational Psychology Advice for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments. Cumberland Council is responsible for securing high-quality Educational Psychology (EP) advice to support statutory Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs). Due to sustained demand pressures and national EP workforce shortages, additional EP capacity is required. This service provides locum Educational Psychologists to restore statutory compliance and ensure timely, evidence-based assessments. The council proposes to enter into the contract for an initial term of 04 months with the successful tenderer. There is one optional extension available of 02 months. It is up to the council whether or not to implement this optional extension. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 30th September 2026. The contract value for the initial term is PS180000 excluding VAT. If the council implements the one optional extension, the contract will end on 30th November 2026. The contract value for the initial term, the optional extension periods and the potential uplifts is PS220000 excluding VAT. This figure is indicative only as the extension periods and uplifts are not guaranteed. If the council implements an extension or uplift, this will be confirmed with the successful supplier in advance. If the services to be provided are VAT exempt then VAT cannot be charged by the successful supplier. For further details and to access the tender documents use our online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk You must be registered on The Chest to be able to view the opportunity and submit a tender. Registration is free. Ensure you read and understand the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and its appendices before completing the tender documents. Clarification questions can be asked on The Chest messaging section. You should take note of the deadlines in the Procurement Timetable, which is in the ITT. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is one optional extension available of 02 months. It is up to the council whether or not to implement this optional extension.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0682ba
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034087-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£225,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£225,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Apr 20265 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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