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Market engagement for Specialist Speech and Language Therapy (AAC) for school age children

West Northamptonshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 Oct 2026 at 14:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Northamptonshire Council is developing a specialist speech and language therapy service to support its local high-tech Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) provision for school-age children and young people across Northamptonshire. The commissioned service is delivered by Fairfields School in Northampton; specialist therapists or organisations will work alongside its multidisciplinary team. The work involves supporting children with complex communication needs, including assessment and recommendations on communication pathways, devices and software. Providers will also contribute to professional and family support and help evidence service outcomes. This is specialist therapy and support within education, rather than a general speech and language therapy service.

The process is at planning and the council is undertaking preliminary market engagement, not inviting tenders. It expects to use specialist support for an initial two days per week, 40 weeks per year during school term time, with potential extension subject to service demand and continuation of the contract. The anticipated contract period runs from 1 December 2026 to 1 December 2027. The council planned an online market engagement session on 20 October 2026, from 4pm to 5pm, to explain the service and requirements, discuss delivery expectations, assess market capacity and capability, and take questions. Expressions of interest in attending were to be sent by email to the council’s education commissioning team. No procedure, award criteria or procurement value is set out at this planning stage.

The work is suited to independent speech and language therapists and specialist therapy organisations with high-tech AAC expertise, and the council indicates that small and medium-sized businesses may be suitable. It is looking for a qualified speech and language therapist with specialist AAC knowledge and experience at Band 6 level or equivalent, with current Health and Care Professions Council registration and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists membership. Relevant capability includes comprehensive assessment, recommending communication pathways, devices and software, and producing clear, evidence-based reports. Providers should be able to manage a varied caseload, work across education, health and social care, and use Therapy Outcome Measures to show impact. The service also calls for training and support for professionals, families and carers, robust outcome reporting, and person-centred work with children and families.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Market engagement for Specialist Speech and Language Therapy (AAC) for school age children

Notice Description

Fairfields School (Northampton) has been awarded the commission to deliver the local High-Tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) service for children across Northamptonshire. As part of our service development, we are inviting independent Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy organisations with specialist AAC expertise to join an online market engagement event. We are seeking specialist Speech and Language Therapy support to work alongside our multidisciplinary team in delivering the local High-Tech AAC service. The initial requirement is anticipated to be: * 2 days per week * 40 weeks per year (term time only) * Potential for extension subject to service demand and contract continuation We are interested in engaging with providers who can demonstrate: * Qualification as a Speech and Language Therapist with specialist AAC knowledge and experience (Band 6 or above equivalent) * Experience undertaking comprehensive assessments and recommending appropriate communication pathways, devices and software solutions * The ability to produce clear assessment reports and evidence-based recommendations * Experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across education, health and social care * Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload * Knowledge and application of Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs) to evidence impact * Experience delivering training and support to professionals, families and carers * The ability to contribute to robust reports that demonstrate outcomes and impact through data and evidence * A person-centred approach that actively involves children, young people and families in communication planning and goal setting * The ability to motivate, engage and support young people throughout their communication journey Essential Requirements * Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration * Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

Planning Information

As part of our service development, we are inviting independent Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy organisations with specialist AAC expertise to join an online market engagement event. This session is an opportunity to learn more about the service, understand the requirements of the role, and explore potential opportunities to support the delivery of a high-quality AAC provision for children and young people across Northamptonshire. We would particularly welcome expressions of interest from: • Independent Speech and Language Therapists • Speech and Language Therapy companies and organisations • Professionals with specialist knowledge and experience in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) • Therapists passionate about supporting children and young people with complex communication needs The purpose of the session is to: • Provide an overview of the Northamptonshire High-Tech AAC service • Outline the specialist support requirements • Discuss service delivery expectations • Understand market capacity and capability • Allow potential providers to ask questions and explore future opportunities Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026 Time: 4-5pm Platform: Microsoft Teams https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3280658678697594?p=jeG9qfKpMqlhPF90Y3 To register your expression of interest in attending, please email: educationcommissioning@westnorthants.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0783d0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095238-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80340000 - Special education services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2027 1-2 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
West Northamptonshire 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
NORTHAMPTON
Postcode
NN1 1ED
Postcode Area
Northampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF24 West Northamptonshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
West Northamptonshire
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Northampton North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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