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QHM-2026-77697 - EARLY LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR EVERY CHILD (ELSEC)

NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

22 Sep 2026 at 09:47

Tender Notice
Award

18 Sep 2026 at 15:29

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is buying early language support for children through the Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) service. The requirement is a health and social care service focused on speech and language support, described in the procurement as “Speech and Language UK”. Services are delivered across North East England, for the ICB’s population and associated health and care settings. The named supplier is Speech and Language UK, a large UK organisation. The requirement concerns service delivery rather than goods, construction or equipment supply, so relevant businesses are specialist speech and language, early-years, child development or health and social care providers able to operate across the North East. The stated classification is CPV 85000000, covering health and social work services.

The procurement has reached its outcome stage: Speech and Language UK was selected under a limited procedure without a prior call for competition, and the contract is recorded as active. The contract value is £180,913. It was signed on 1 July 2026 and covers delivery from 1 April 2026 to 31 August 2026; services were delivered from the start date under an implied contract and are described as ad hoc. The authority’s stated evaluation basis was the existing provider’s ability to continue meeting the requirement to a sufficient standard, with quality and cost criteria each recorded as 100%. The process was initially described as a Provider Selection Regime Direct Award C, but an amendment says that description was published in error: the service was outside PSR scope and fell below the Procurement Act 2023 threshold. The single lot is recorded as cancelled, despite the active award and contract.

This outcome indicates demand for specialist early language and speech and language support for children across the North East. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need demonstrable capability in delivering child-focused speech and language services, including responsive or ad hoc provision, and the operational capacity to serve the ICB’s geographically broad population. The evaluation favoured confidence that the incumbent would continue delivering the service to a sufficient standard, so evidence of consistent service quality, reliable delivery and relevant health or social care experience would be important. Providers should also be able to demonstrate value alongside quality, as both were recorded as evaluation considerations. Organisations with established children’s language-support teams, suitable clinical or specialist expertise and experience working with NHS or comparable public-sector commissioners would be well placed.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

QHM-2026-77697 - EARLY LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR EVERY CHILD (ELSEC)

Notice Description

Speech and Language UK QHM-2026- 77697

Lot Information

Lot 1

Speech and Language UK QHM-2026- 77697 The relevant authority intends to award a contract to an existing provider under Direct Award C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selections Regime) regulations 2023. The contract value is 180,913. This contract cannot be confirmed as the services carried out within this contract are ad hoc. Contract Start Date: 01/04/2026 Contract End Date: 31/08/2026 Although the contract start is 01/04/2026, the services have been delivered on an implied contract.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the Standstill Period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on 30/09/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. A contract will not be awarded until after the 9th working day following standstill.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089434-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£180,913 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA 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
SUNDERLAND
Postcode
SR5 3XB
Postcode Area
Sunderland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Washington and Gateshead South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Speech and Language UK

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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