SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Notice Description

The SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service is a statutory requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015. The service provides impartial disagreement resolution and mediation services to support the resolution of disagreements between parents or young people and education providers, local authorities, or health commissioners around elements of an Education. Health and Care Plan. The SEND Code of Practice states that mediation must be conducted by an independent service provider. In scope * Delivery of independent, impartial mediation covering disputes for children and young people aged 0 - 25 where families have a right to mediation under Chapter 11 of the SEND Code of Practice. * Provision of Disagreement Resolution for issues outside statutory mediation but still part of SEND processes (e.g., disagreements with schools or providers about SEN provision), as required by the SEND Code of Practice. * Providing legally required mediation information and advice to parents/young people prior to any potential mediation request. * Production of a quarterly monitoring report to include thematic analysis and trends alongside specific KPIs Out of scope * Any sharing of opinion or involvement in decision-making (mediation services facilitate discussions) * Any legal or tribunal advocacy * Any casework, key-working or ongoing support * Any dispute outside of that governed by the Children and Families Act or SEND Code of Practice

Planning Information

The Council would like to engage with the market for the purpose of the recommissioning of the SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service. The Council will be hosting a market engagement event on Monday 6th July 2026 at 10.00am via Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending the event you can do so by registering at YORtender (https://yortender.eu-supply.com/login.asp?B=YORTENDER) and searching for YORtender ID 100111801. Once registered you will be able to download the service specification. Please send a message via YORtender if you wish to attend the event, a Teams invite will then be issued. The presentation at the event sets out the Local Authority's intentions ahead of a future procurement for SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution services. The purpose is to engage openly with potential providers, share strategic context, and shape a service model that delivers high-quality, independent, and trusted resolution for children, young people, and their families. This engagement is an opportunity to understand market capacity and test our specification before formal tendering begins. Ultimately, the Local Authority's aim is to commission a service that families trust, professionals value, and which supports better outcomes for children and young people with SEND while making effective use of public resources.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06bc87
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059588-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

80340000 - Special education services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value: £300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: Not specified
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 24 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 17 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Planning
Lots Status: Planning
Awards Status: Not Specified
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: ROTHERHAM BOROUGH 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: ROTHERHAM
Postcode: S60 1AE
Post Town: Sheffield
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3): TLE34 Rotherham
Delivery Location: TLE31 Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Local Authority: Rotherham
Electoral Ward: Boston Castle
Westminster Constituency: Rotherham

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059588-2026
24th June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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JSON Markdown

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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