--- title: "Independent Specialist Education Provision" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "WOLVERHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL" published: "2025-05-20" --- # Independent Specialist Education Provision Buyer: WOLVERHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2.json) ## Summary Wolverhampton City Council has initiated the planning stage for a public procurement process titled "Independent Specialist Education Provision." This procurement is underscored by the Council's statutory duty to ensure adequate educational placements for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) as specified in the Children and Families Act 2014. The process involves establishing a framework agreement with independent specialist education providers to cater to the city’s SEND population. The planning notice was published on 20 May 2025, and it outlines a framework encompassing four lots for different educational phases and needs. The procured services fall under the education and training services and health and social work services categories, and the overall procurement method employed is an open procedure, signifying an open call for tenders, with the actual tendering period expected to commence on 1 September 2025. This procurement represents a significant opportunity for businesses providing SEND services, as it seeks independent specialist education providers to deliver tailored educational services in Wolverhampton. Businesses within the education and social work sectors, particularly those that specialise in various facets of special education needs like Cognition and Learning or Communication and Interaction, could benefit from this framework. The framework will support the educational journey of young individuals aged 5 to 25, offering ample growth potential for providers able to deliver high-quality, individualised education services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to compete, especially those with experience in developing bespoke educational solutions within the categories defined by the SEND Code of Practice. The framework's extensive contract period, from 2026 to 2031, with potential renewal, presents a long-term engagement opportunity for successful bidders. ## Notice The Children and Families Act (2014) Section 20 explains that when a child or young person has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), they need special educational provision made for them. This may be adaptations within a mainstream school setting, or a specialist placement. Identified and recorded in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Additionally, The SEND Code of Practice (2015) delivers the legalities contained within the Children and Families Act (2014). The Code of Practice states that "All children and young people are entitled to an appropriate education, one that is appropriate to their needs, promotes high standards and the fulfilment of potential. This should enable them to achieve their best, become confident individuals living fulfilling lives, and make a successful transition into adulthood, whether into employment, further or higher education or training". It is the statutory duty of the City of Wolverhampton Council to ensure that all children and young people with SEND in the City receive the educational placement that upholds this entitlement. The city of Wolverhampton Council is aiming to compose a framework of suitable independent specialist education providers from which it may allocate placements for children and young people with specialist educational requirements. The service aims to commission a range of Independent Specialist Education Providers which support children and young people with EHCPs to meet their full potential, while promoting choice and delivering best value for money. Provision under this Framework will be for children and young people between the ages of 5-25 as set out in the SEND Code of Practice. This Framework will include 4 Lots: - Lot 1: Primary Phase Independent Specialist Placements - (ages 5-11, National Curriculum Years 1-6) - Lot 2: Secondary Phase Independent Specialist Placements - (ages 11-16, National Curriculum Years 7-11) - Lot 3: Post 16 Independent Specialist Placements - Lot 4: Post 19 Independent Specialist Placements Children and young people receiving an education within an Independent Specialist Education Provision (ISEP) will have an Educational, Health and Care Plan. As outlined within the plan, their specific SEND need will fall into one or more of the following categories of need as set out in the SEND Code of Practice: - Cognition and Learning - Communication and Interaction (Including Autism) - Social Emotional Mental Health - Physical and Sensory To best meet the needs of pupils, each of the 4 Lots will be split further into the above 4 categories. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023228-2025 | | Notice type | UK1 - Pipeline Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 May 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Sep 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 15 Jan 2026 - 14 Jan 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WOLVERHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | WOLVERHAMPTON | | Post town | Wolverhampton | | Postcode | WV1 1SH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG39 Wolverhampton | | Local authority | Wolverhampton | | Electoral ward | St Peters | | Westminster constituency | Wolverhampton West | | Delivery location | TLG39 Wolverhampton | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 20 May 2025 at 12:24 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023228-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023228-2025 20th May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.wolverhamptontenders.com - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-h6vhtk-0518b2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0518b2.json.