Planning

SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

LONDON BOROUGH OF HILLINGDON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Apr 2026 at 14:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Hillingdon is initiating a procurement process for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services, focused within the health and social work services sector. This procurement is currently at the planning stage, with a preliminary market engagement event scheduled for 28th April 2026, providing potential suppliers an opportunity to engage and refine service offerings in preparation for the tender. Interested parties are encouraged to register by 24th April 2026. The contract period is envisioned from February 2027 to January 2034, with a total value of £1.24 million. The services will be delivered within the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Hillingdon's locality.

This tender process presents significant business opportunities for providers experienced in mediation, health, and social work services, especially those capable of adapting services to virtual platforms. The demand for impartial mediation to resolve disputes outside the appeals process is growing, making it a lucrative project for businesses knowledgeable in SEND provisions. Organizations that comprehend legislative frameworks such as the Children and Families Act 2014 and the recent Schools White Paper 2026 regarding SEND reforms would be particularly well-suited to compete effectively. With a 7-year contract term and annual reviews, this project offers a substantial avenue for sustained growth and strategic development within the sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services

Notice Description

The London Borough of Hillingdon is seeking engagement with experienced providers of SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services to participate in provider engagement prior to tendering for a new contract award. Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services must be in place to allow children and young people with SEND and their families to seek unbiased advice and support with regards to any concerns and/or issues they have with regards to their health and/or education provision or elements of their Education and Health Care (EHC) plan. Mediation advice must be received before a family can approach the first-tier tribunal with an appeal. Mediation and disagreement resolution services are provided to help children and young people with SEND and their families resolve issues outside of the appeals process. Following Covid, the provision of mediation and disagreement resolution services moved largely to a virtual platform, this allowed the services to continue without the need for face-to-face meetings. This has proven to be successful and will be the preferred model going forward. In line with the requirements of the Children and Families Act 2014, The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 and the SEN and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years, May 2015, an independent disagreement resolution and mediation service is required for parents/carers (until their child is 18 years of age) and young people (beyond compulsory school age and up to the age of 25 years) The Council is seeking provision for the statutory Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service. This service provides impartial mediation to resolve disputes between families and the local authority or education providers, in accordance with Chapter 11 of the SEND Code of Practice. The future contract will be let for 7 years with an annual review built into contract management. The approximate contract value for the 7 year period is PS1.24million The service will need to be designed to provide an agile and responsive approach to legislative change in light of the recent 'Schools White Paper 2026: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Reform', and any subsequent changes.

Planning Information

The London Borough of Hillingdon Children's Services are seeking interested parties who would like to participate in an online Teams provider engagement event on Tuesday 28th April 2026 at 12.30pm in preparation for an opportunity to tender for the provision of SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services later in Spring 2026. The session will provide an opportunity for interested suppliers to understand the service requirements whilst having the opportunity to offer views and comments, helping to ensure that the proposed approach is clear, achievable and aligned to Hillingdon's requirements. Suppliers will be able to seek clarification to prepare for the forthcoming tender process. The Council is seeking to understand the market and how suppliers can best meet the needs of children and young people with SEND and their families Please register your interest in this event by Friday the 24th of April 2026 by emailing rverma@hillingdon.gov.uk with " SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services Tender" in the email subject. We would encourage all interested parties to register for free at https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login on Proactis tendering portal where the opportunity will be advertised. Details in this notice may be subject to change as the services are reviewed.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068358
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034348-2026
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
Not specified
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 30 Jan 2034 Over 5 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 HILLINGDON
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
UXBRIDGE
Postcode
UB8 1UW
Post Town
Southall
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI74 Harrow and Hillingdon
Delivery Location
TLI74 Harrow and Hillingdon
Local Authority
Hillingdon
Electoral Ward
Uxbridge
Westminster Constituency
Uxbridge and South Ruislip

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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