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Post-16 SEND - Soft Market Engagement

Cornwall Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Sep 2026 at 12:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is exploring future post-16 special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. The intended service is education and training for people aged over 16 with SEND, helping to provide suitable post-16 learning and support in Cornwall. This is a public-sector services requirement led by Cornwall Council. Organisations with relevant experience, capacity or capability in delivering post-16 SEND provision are being sought to help the council understand the market and shape its future requirements. The service is expected to be delivered in Cornwall. The council describes this as early market engagement rather than a commitment to commission services, so suppliers are being asked to contribute their market knowledge before any future procurement is developed.

The process is at the planning stage and is a soft market engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. Cornwall Council expects to issue a subsequent notice on 11 November 2026. Interested organisations are expected to register interest and return a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement by 7 October 2026; further information will follow completion of that agreement. The engagement milestone is scheduled for 30 September 2026. The planned requirement is one lot, with an estimated gross value of £1,500,000. The planned contract period is from 1 March 2027 to 29 February 2032. The lot is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

This engagement should suit specialist post-16 SEND education and training providers, including organisations already supporting young people with special educational needs or disabilities into further education, skills development or preparation for adult life. It may also suit smaller providers and voluntary, community or social enterprises, as the planned lot is identified as suitable for both groups. Relevant delivery experience, operational capacity and the ability to provide appropriate post-16 SEND provision are the capabilities Cornwall Council is seeking at this stage. Providers should be prepared to share practical information about their services, capacity and experience during the engagement, and to complete the confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement before receiving further information. The exercise is useful for influencing the council’s understanding of the future market and preparing for a later procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Post-16 SEND - Soft Market Engagement

Notice Description

Cornwall Council is undertaking a soft market engagement exercise to inform its understanding of the market in relation to potential future post-16 SEND provision. The Council is seeking to hear from organisations with relevant experience, capacity or capability in delivering post-16 SEND provision. Further information will be provided to interested organisations following completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This is an early market engagement exercise and does not constitute a procurement exercise or commitment by Cornwall Council to commission services.

Planning Information

Post-16 SEND – Soft Market Engagement Cornwall Council is undertaking a soft market engagement exercise to inform its understanding of the market in relation to potential future post-16 SEND provision. The Council is seeking to hear from organisations with relevant experience, capacity or capability in delivering post-16 SEND provision. Further information will be provided to interested organisations following completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). This is an early market engagement exercise and does not constitute a procurement exercise or commitment by Cornwall Council to commission services. Upon registering your interest a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement will be issued for return by 07/10/2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077661
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089123-2026
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

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 29 Feb 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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cornwall 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
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Postcode Area
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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