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Independent Scrutineer SEND

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

10 Jul 2026 at 14:16

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Northumberland County Council has initiated an open procurement process for the role of an Independent Scrutineer for the Northumberland Strategic SEND Partnership. This tender, titled "Independent Scrutineer SEND," falls under the services category and is classified specifically under administrative and social work services. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with a closing date for submissions set for 20th July 2026. The total contract is valued at £96,000 and is scheduled to run from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2028, with the potential for a one-year extension. The project will take place in Northumberland, UKC21 region.

This tender presents a significant business growth opportunity for providers experienced in process scrutiny and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services. It is particularly suited for SMEs capable of offering rigorous challenge and independent assurance to support local multiagency SEND arrangements. Businesses that can effectively integrate the voice of children, young people, and their families into decision-making processes will find this contract highly fitting. The procurement method is an open competition, encouraging diverse participation to ensure high-quality delivery of required services.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Scrutineer SEND

Notice Description

Northumberland County Council wishes to commission a suitably experienced provider to undertake the role of Independent Scrutineer of the Northumberland Strategic SEND Partnership. The provider must be able to offer independent scrutiny, rigorous constructive challenge, independent chair role and objective assurance to support the SEND Partnership to fulfil its responsibilities for improving outcomes, experiences and inclusion for children and young people with SEND and their families. The role includes: * Providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of local multiagency SEND arrangements, with a particular focus on practice, co production, lived experience, and impact. * Supporting the inclusion of the voice of children, young people and families in decision-making and quality assurance. * Providing an independent view of the effectiveness, pace and impact of SEND improvement activity, including progress against inspection findings and the Local Area SEND Reform Plan. The SEND Partnership Board, workstreams and subgroups meet on a quarterly schedule. The Independent Scrutineer will be required to provide scrutiny and challenge across the Partnership, hold partners to account, and provide an independent view of the effectiveness of SEND arrangements across education, health and care. The role will be required to chair the partnership quarterly board meetings. This is an evolving role, aligned to the national SEND reform programme (2026-2035), the Local SEND Reform Plan, and the Local Partnership Maturity Assessment.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One 12-month optional extension. The Customer shall be entitled to extend the Contract End Date by such period as it requires, subject to a maximum period of 1 years and a minimum period of 30 days, by giving to the Supplier not less than 30 days' written notice prior to the Contract End Date.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065271-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

75120000 - Administrative services of agencies

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£96,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£96,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jul 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jul 20264 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
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
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY 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
MORPETH
Postcode
NE61 2EF
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC42 Northumberland
Delivery Location
TLC21 Northumberland
Local Authority
Northumberland
Electoral Ward
Morpeth Kirkhill
Westminster Constituency
North Northumberland

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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