--- title: "Disagreement Resolution and Mediation Services (DRMS)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL" published: "2026-02-09" --- # Disagreement Resolution and Mediation Services (DRMS) Buyer: LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac.json) ## Summary Liverpool City Council, based in the United Kingdom at the Cunard Building, Liverpool, has recently completed a procurement process for the provision of Disagreement Resolution and Mediation Services (DRMS). This procurement falls under the services category and is part of the Council's statutory obligations under the Children and Families Act 2014. The contract with WHY MEDIATE LIMITED, a Bromborough-based SME supplier, was signed on 28th January 2026 and will run from 1st February 2026 to 31st January 2028, with a possible extension of six months based on performance. The procurement method was an open competition, and the procurement was conducted using a "Below threshold" approach. The services aim to resolve disputes early, avoiding legal proceedings related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) within the UKD72 region. This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in legal advisory and representation services, specifically involving mediation and resolution services for SEND-related disputes. Companies capable of offering independent, impartial, and confidential services can benefit significantly from such contracts, especially SMEs that can cater to the requirements set by local authorities. Given the demand for early dispute resolution to prevent costly legal actions, businesses in this sector can expand their service offerings and enhance their industry footprint by participating in similar future procurement opportunities. This contract also demonstrates a potential for growth through the provision of continual service improvements and compliance with statutory requirements. ## Notice Liverpool City Council is required to provide disagreement resolution and mediation services in accordance with its statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014. These services include disagreement resolution, mediation advice, and mediation, each serving a distinct role within the legal framework. The services are delivered independently of the Council, ensuring impartiality and confidentiality. They offer families and young people an opportunity to resolve disputes at an early stage, helping to avoid formal legal proceedings and reducing the need for time consuming and costly appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: The contract includes an option to extend for a further six months, subject to satisfactory performance and agreement by both parties. ### Planning Information Pre-Procurement Consultation Questionnaire published via ProContract: link https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=518b4d7d-8f77-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011268-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 9 Feb 2026 | | Submission deadline | 3 Nov 2025 | | Future notice date | 8 Sep 2025 | | Award date | 15 Jan 2026 | | Contract period | 1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £425,000 | | Lots value | £425,000 | | Awards value | £410,750 | | Contracts value | £410,750 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | LIVERPOOL | | Post town | Liverpool | | Postcode | L3 1DS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside | | ITL 3 | TLD72 Liverpool | | Local authority | Liverpool | | Electoral ward | Waterfront South | | Westminster constituency | Liverpool Riverside | | Delivery location | TLD72 Liverpool | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | WHY MEDIATE | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services ## Release History - 9 Feb 2026 at 10:24 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011268-2026 - 16 Jan 2026 at 10:30 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003772-2026 - 1 Oct 2025 at 12:21 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061322-2025 - 13 Aug 2025 at 08:39 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048253-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011268-2026 9th February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003772-2026 16th January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061322-2025 1st October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048253-2025 13th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.mediatelegal.co.uk - https://procontract.due-north.com/ - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=518b4d7d-8f77-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.liverpool.gov.uk ## 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-0586ac. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0586ac.json.