--- title: "Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings across the South East" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT" published: "2026-01-05" --- # Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings across the South East Buyer: NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc.json) ## Summary The NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit is facilitating a procurement process under an open procedure for the provision of sight testing and spectacle dispensing services to children and young people in special educational settings across the South East of England. This tender falls under the health services industry category and aims to address health inequalities faced by those with special educational needs and disabilities. The procurement is structured into five lots corresponding to different regional Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Key dates include the deadline for ITT responses by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, and services are set to commence on 30th November 2026, continuing for five years with an optional two-year extension. The total value of the contract spans from £11,405,000 to £15,967,000, depending on the inclusion of extension periods. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in optical health services, particularly those capable of operating at scale within educational environments. SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, given the open procurement method which promotes broader competition. Providers who can demonstrate expertise in delivering healthcare services to children with autism and learning disabilities and integrate smoothly with educational settings will be well-positioned. The initiative not only offers potential financial returns but also the chance to contribute to public health improvements and gain visibility in a specialised sector of public service provision. ## Notice The South East Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are seeking suitably qualified Providers to deliver at-scale sight testing and dispensing of spectacles services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Special Educational Settings (SES) across the region. This procurement covers five lots aligned to the current six and future four ICB structures, ensuring continuity through planned mergers and boundary changes: Lot 1: Thames Valley - Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East Lot 2: Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including North East Hampshire Lot 3: Kent and Medway Lot 4: Surrey, including Surrey Heath and Farnham Lot 5: Sussex Please note: This procurement begins with 6 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the South East. From 1 April 2026, these will reduce to 4 ICBs: * NHS Thames Valley ICB - bringing together Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East (formerly BOB ICB and part of Frimley ICB) * Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB will expand to include North East Hampshire * Kent and Medway ICB remains unchanged * Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Sussex and Surrey including Surrey Heath and Farnham Children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities face significant barriers to accessing routine eye care. Evidence from the 2021 NHS England Proof of Concept (POC) programme showed that delivering sight tests and dispensing services directly within SES is both effective and impactful. This service aims to ensure that eligible children and young people in SES across the South East are offered an annual sight test, unless clinically inappropriate. The goal is to reduce health inequalities, improve educational outcomes, and support better quality of life through timely identification and management of vision needs. For further information please see the service specification and the engagement report published on the NHS England website. * Service specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cyp-send-oral-and-sight-testing-service-specifications/ * Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-children-and-young-people-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ The contracts will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are due to commence in 2026. The maximum total contract values for the initial 5 years (excluding optional 2 year extension) for each lot are as follows: Lot 1: PS2,355,000 Lot 2: PS2,180,000 Lot 3: PS3,265,000 Lot 4: PS1,625,000 Lot 5: PS1,980,000 The maximum total contract values, including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years) for each lot are as follows: Lot 1: PS3,297,000 Lot 2: PS3,052,000 Lot 3: PS4,571,000 Lot 4: PS2,275,000 Lot 5: PS2,772,000 All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, at the latest. Additional information: The General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES) will apply. Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding. The General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES) will apply. Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding. The Commissioners are of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, at the latest. Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7736a3c3-2b23-4327-a6d8-20fa5c6a813f | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 5 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | 6 Feb 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Nov 2026 - 29 Nov 2033 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £15,967,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NHS SOUTH, CENTRAL AND WEST COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT | | Locality | WINDSOR | | Post town | Slough | | Postcode | SL4 3DP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLJ15 Berkshire East | | Local authority | Windsor and Maidenhead | | Electoral ward | Old Windsor | | Westminster constituency | Windsor | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85100000 - Health services ## Release History - 5 Jan 2026 at 16:48 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7736a3c3-2b23-4327-a6d8-20fa5c6a813f ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7736a3c3-2b23-4327-a6d8-20fa5c6a813f 5th January 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-children-and-young-people-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ - https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cyp-send-oral-and-sight-testing-service-specifications/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-de0adcfc-4ef0-4c6d-b06b-2a373aa2f8bc.json.