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Dental Checks and Sight Testing in Residential Special Educational Settings - NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB

NHS NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Oct 2026 at 15:42

Award Notice
Tender

08 Jun 2026 at 15:10

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board commissioned oral health checks and sight-testing services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities living in residential special educational settings. Dental checks are intended to identify oral health needs early, support prevention and person-centred care, and provide clear routes into continuing dental services. Sight testing includes annual NHS-funded eye tests and spectacle dispensing in familiar education settings, improving access and helping identify vision problems. Delivery covers residential settings across Norfolk and Suffolk, with sight-testing areas including Breckland, Norwich, King’s Lynn, North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk and Waveney, Ipswich and East Suffolk, and West Suffolk. The services form part of a wider sensory health checks programme.

The procurement proceeded through an open competitive process under the Provider Selection Regime. Contracts were signed and are active. East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust was awarded dental checks in Norfolk, valued at £343,535, and Suffolk, valued at £304,165. Soul Optometrists Limited received sight-testing contracts for Breckland (£361,250), Norwich (£340,000), King’s Lynn (£167,025), North Norfolk (£228,650), Great Yarmouth (£183,600), and South Norfolk and Waveney (£361,250). The Ipswich and East Suffolk and West Suffolk sight-testing awards were unsuccessful. The active contracts were signed on 1 or 2 October 2026 and run from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2031, with no renewal option. Evaluation weighted quality and innovation at 47%, value at 20%, access and reducing health inequalities at 13%, integration and sustainability at 10%, and social value at 10%.

This procurement demonstrates demand for providers able to deliver routine dental checks and sight testing directly in residential special educational settings, rather than relying on children to access conventional services. Credible competitors need to show they can work effectively with children and young people with SEND, deliver accessible, person-centred preventive care, identify health needs and establish clear onward referral pathways. For sight testing, the contracted model also includes spectacle dispensing and annual provision in education settings. The evaluation placed most weight on quality and innovation, with additional emphasis on access, health inequalities, collaboration, sustainability and social value; low-cost delivery alone would not address the stated priorities. The awards went to a community health NHS trust for dental checks and an optometry company for sight testing, indicating distinct provider capabilities across the two service types.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Dental Checks and Sight Testing in Residential Special Educational Settings - NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB

Notice Description

Provision of dental Checks and Sight Testing in Residential Special Educational Settings in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Lot Information

Dental Checks - Norfolk

Provision of Dental Checks in residential special educational settings (SES) - Norfolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) experience significantly poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population and often face barriers to accessing routine dental care. Many CYP living in residential Special Educational Settings (SES) are educated away from their home area, making continuity of dental care and preventative support more difficult to achieve. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB) is commissioning an Oral Health Checks service as part of the wider Sensory Health Checks in SES programme, alongside sight testing and other preventative health offers. The service is focused on early identification of oral health needs, prevention, person centred care, and clear referral pathways into ongoing dental services, delivered in line with national clinical standards and local commissioning priorities. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Dental Checks - Suffolk

Provision of Dental Checks in residential special educational settings (SES) - Suffolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) experience significantly poorer oral health outcomes compared to the general population and often face barriers to accessing routine dental care. Many CYP living in residential Special Educational Settings (SES) are educated away from their home area, making continuity of dental care and preventative support more difficult to achieve. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB) is commissioning an Oral Health Checks service as part of the wider Sensory Health Checks in SES programme, alongside sight testing and other preventative health offers. The service is focused on early identification of oral health needs, prevention, person centred care, and clear referral pathways into ongoing dental services, delivered in line with national clinical standards and local commissioning priorities. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - Breckland

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - Breckland, Norfolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - Norwich

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - Norwich. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - Kings Lynn

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - Kings Lynn. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - North Norfolk

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - North Norfolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - Great Yarmouth

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - Great Yarmouth. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - South Norfolk and Waveney

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - South Norfolk and Waveney. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - Ipswich and East Suffolk

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - Ipswich and East Suffolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Sight Testing - West Suffolk

Provision of sight testing in residential special educational settings (SES) - West Suffolk. This notice is to inform providers of the release of documentation to initiate a competitive process to secure a Provider to deliver Dental Checks and Sight Testing in residential special educational settings (SES) across Norfolk and Suffolk. Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are significantly more likely to experience sight and eye health problems, yet access to routine eye care is inconsistent and often limited. National evidence indicates that over 40% of SEND pupils have no recorded history of eye care provision, and they are up to 28 times more likely to have an undiagnosed sight issue. Uncorrected vision can have a substantial impact on learning, behaviour, communication and overall wellbeing, particularly for autistic children and those with learning disabilities who may find it difficult to recognise or communicate vision problems. Reliance on hospital based services can result in delays, inappropriate environments and poor accessibility, compounding existing health inequalities. NHS Norfolk and Suffolk ICB is implementing this national model to provide annual, NHS funded sight testing and spectacle dispensing within SES across the system. Delivering care in familiar, accessible education settings supports earlier identification of need, improves engagement for children and families, and contributes to reducing long standing inequalities in eye health outcomes. The contract will commence on 1st December 2026 and expire 30th November 2031.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06affd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093481-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,048,100 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,048,100 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,928,225 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active, Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NORWICH
Postcode
NR1 2DH
Postcode Area
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH51 Norwich and East Norfolk
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC, TLH15 Norwich and East Norfolk, TLH16 North and West Norfolk, TLH17 Breckland and South Norfolk
Local Authority
Norwich
Electoral Ward
Lakenham
Westminster Constituency
Norwich South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Soul Optometrists Limited

Further Information

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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