--- title: "Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058083" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058083" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058083.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058083.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL" published: "2025-08-04" --- # Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS) Buyer: CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058083 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058083) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058083.json) ## Summary Cheshire East Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS), a statutory service under the Children and Families Act 2014. The council, located in Crewe, United Kingdom, has initiated a soft market testing survey to gauge provider interest in delivering this service. This engagement revolves around the special education needs (SEN) and involves social work and related services, classified under CPV code 85300000. Responses to the survey are required by 22nd August 2025, and a future notice is anticipated by 1st October 2025. The procurement involves a light-touch regime and setting aside opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs, aiming for a contract period commencement on 1st April 2026. This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, especially for organisations involved in social work and related services. Companies that deliver mediation and dispute resolution services, particularly within the framework of educational needs, will find this procurement well aligned with their capabilities. With the procurement at the engagement stage, businesses have the chance to shape the service specifications to match their expertise and capacities. Engaging with Cheshire East Council during this planning phase could open doors for long-term collaborative partnerships, especially given the contract’s potential extension to 2031, allowing for stability and growth in service delivery. Suitability conditions favour SMEs and VCSEs, making it an accessible opportunity for smaller or socially-focused enterprises. ## Notice Mediation service to support children, young people and their parent/carers with mediation and dispute resolution in relation to special education needs (SEN) issues, including where Education, Health and Care Plans assessed by the Council and its key partners are contested by the young person and their parent/carer. Cheshire East Council is conducting a soft market testing survey to gauge interest from providers in delivering our Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS), a statutory requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014. Cheshire East Council has successfully commissioned a Mediation and Dispute Resolution Service (MDRS) since 2015. We are now exploring options for potential recommissioning and invite feedback from the market through this soft market testing survey. While no final decision has been made regarding the timing or progression of the procurement, your input will be valuable in shaping our approach. Please note that participation in this survey does not imply any commitment from either party, and the procurement may be delayed or terminated depending on future developments. However, gathering insights now will provide a strong foundation should we proceed at a later stage. This questionnaire aims to gather the thoughts and experiences of providers who may be interested in our proposed recommissioning. The deadline for questionnaire responses is: Friday 22nd August 2025. Please upload your response to the Chest by the specified deadline. Chest Ref: DN785358 You can access and provide your feedback using the link below https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=b3532762-3e71-f011-813a-005056b64545&projectId=fa125d7c-3d71-f011-813a-005056b64545 ### Planning Information Cheshire East Council is conducting a soft market testing survey to gauge interest from providers in delivering our Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS), a statutory requirement under the Children and Families Act 2014. Cheshire East Council has successfully commissioned a Mediation and Dispute Resolution Service (MDRS) since 2015. We are now exploring options for potential recommissioning and invite feedback from the market through this soft market testing survey. While no final decision has been made regarding the timing or progression of the procurement, your input will be valuable in shaping our approach. Please note that participation in this survey does not imply any commitment from either party, and the procurement may be delayed or terminated depending on future developments. However, gathering insights now will provide a strong foundation should we proceed at a later stage. This questionnaire aims to gather the thoughts and experiences of providers who may be interested in our proposed recommissioning. The deadline for questionnaire responses is: Friday 22nd August 2025. Please upload your response to the Chest by the specified deadline. https://procontract.due-north.com/ Chest Ref: DN785358 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045729-2025 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Aug 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Oct 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 | | 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 | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL | | Locality | CREWE | | Post town | Crewe | | Postcode | CW1 2JZ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire | | ITL 3 | TLD62 Cheshire East | | Local authority | Cheshire East | | Electoral ward | Crewe Central | | Westminster constituency | Crewe and Nantwich | | Delivery location | TLD6 Cheshire | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85300000 - Social work and related services ## Release History - 4 Aug 2025 at 14:43 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045729-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045729-2025 4th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://procontract.due-north.com/ - https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=b3532762-3e71-f011-813a-005056b64545&projectId=fa125d7c-3d71-f011-813a-005056b64545 - 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-058083. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058083.json.