---
title: "Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings across the South East"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-059537"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059537"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059537.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059537.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THAMES VALLEY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB)"
published: "2026-05-22"
---

# Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings across the South East

Buyer: THAMES VALLEY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-059537

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## Summary

The Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB) is leading a procurement process to provide sight testing and dispensing of spectacles services to children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Special Educational Settings (SES) across the South East region of the UK. This initiative aligns with the health services industry category, and it encompasses multiple areas, including Thames Valley, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Kent and Medway, Surrey, and Sussex. The procurement process has now reached the award stage, with contracts established for an initial period of five years starting in 2026, with an optional two-year extension. The competitive procurement process followed the Provider Selection Regime (PSR), with SeeAbility Ltd winning the contract to deliver services under the declared budget allocations for each lot.

This procurement presents meaningful opportunities for businesses specialising in health services, particularly those with expertise in ophthalmic care and SEND-focused services. The structured division of this opportunity into multiple lots allows for regional service delivery, providing scalable entry points for local providers. Organisations with experience in innovative healthcare delivery, integration, and collaboration with educational and healthcare settings could significantly benefit from these contracts. Businesses that demonstrate capacity for supporting social value and addressing health inequalities in their bids are well-positioned to thrive under this programme, contributing to improved educational and health outcomes for SEND children and young people.

## Notice

The South East Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) sought 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 was divided into Lots: * 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 At the time of the procurement, the South East comprised six Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). From 1 April 2026, these reduced to four 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, which expanded to include North East Hampshire * Kent and Medway ICB, which remained unchanged * Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Surrey and Sussex, including Surrey Heath and Farnham These changes were designed to improve integration, reduce health inequalities, and align services with local government boundaries to support the delivery of more sustainable care. 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 demonstrated that delivering sight tests and dispensing services directly within Special Educational Settings (SES) was both effective and impactful. The 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. Further information is available in 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 expected to commence in 2026. The maximum total budget available for the initial five year period (excluding the optional two year extension) for each Lot was 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 budget available including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) for each Lot was 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 The Commissioner will be contracting for the services using the General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES). Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding. The Commissioners were of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) did not apply. Bidders were required to undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. This notice serves as an intention to award contracts for Lots 1 to 5 under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This procurement exercise was carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW CSU) on behalf of the Commissioners.

### Lot Information

Thames Valley - Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East

1) NHS Thames Valley ICB - bringing together Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East (formerly BOB ICB and part of Frimley ICB) sought to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Thames Valley region (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East). 2) The contract will be for an initial 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are expected to commence in 2026. 3) The contract value for the initial term is PS2,355,000. The total contract value including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) is PS3,297,000. 4) The Services procured through this tender process are healthcare services subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, (PSR), and the process has been undertaken in full accordance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply. 5) The procurement followed the Competitive Process, in accordance with Regulation 11. 6) This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). 7) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Options: The contract will be for an initial 60-month period, with the option to extend for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including North East Hampshire

1) Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, which expanded to include North East Hampshire sought to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area including North East Hampshire. 2) The contract will be for an initial 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are expected to commence in 2026. 3) The contract value for the initial term is PS2,180,000. The total contract value including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) is PS3,052,000. 4) The Services procured through this tender process are healthcare services subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, (PSR), and the process has been undertaken in full accordance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply. 5) The procurement followed the Competitive Process, in accordance with Regulation 11. 6) This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). 7) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Options: The contract will be for an initial 60-month period, with the option to extend for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Kent and Medway

1) NHS Kent and Medway ICB sought to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Kent and Medway area. 2) The contract will be for an initial 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are expected to commence in 2026. 3) The contract value for the initial term is PS3,265,000. The total contract value including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) is PS4,571,000. 4) The Services procured through this tender process are healthcare services subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, (PSR), and the process has been undertaken in full accordance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply. 5) The procurement followed the Competitive Process, in accordance with Regulation 11. 6) This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). 7) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Options: The contract will be for an initial 60-month period, with the option to extend for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Surrey, including Surrey Heath and Farnham

1) Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Surrey and Sussex, including Surrey Heath and Farnham sought to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across Surrey, including the Surrey Heath and Farnham areas. 2) The contract will be for an initial 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are expected to commence in 2026. 3) The contract value for the initial term is PS1,625,000. The total contract value including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) is PS2,275,000. 4) The Services procured through this tender process are healthcare services subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, (PSR), and the process has been undertaken in full accordance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply. 5) The procurement followed the Competitive Process, in accordance with Regulation 11. 6) This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). 7) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners

Options: The contract will be for an initial 60-month period, with the option to extend for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Sussex

1) Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Surrey and Sussex, including Surrey Heath and Farnham sought to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Sussex area. 2) The contract will be for an initial 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are expected to commence in 2026. 3) The contract value for the initial term is PS1,980,000. The total contract value including the optional two year extension (five years plus two years) is PS2,772,000. 4) The Services procured through this tender process are healthcare services subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, (PSR), and the process has been undertaken in full accordance with the law. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply. 5) The procurement followed the Competitive Process, in accordance with Regulation 11. 6) This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). 7) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners

Options: The contract will be for an initial 60-month period, with the option to extend for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Lot 6

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice and relates to a virtual pre-procurement market briefing event on 1st October 2025 at 16:30-17:30. NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) invites expressions of interest (EOI) from suitably qualified and experienced providers to provide Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings. If you wish to secure your place at the market briefing event, please click on the link and complete the questionnaire before 12:00 noon on 23rd September 2025: https://forms.office.com/e/Vz0N3Bm7B0 Providers are reminded that all information regarding lots is indicative only and subject to change. Providers should not rely upon these lot descriptions when submitting any future bids, instead referring to the tender documentation released with the relevant tender opportunity. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047510-2026 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 22 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | 3 Nov 2025 |
| Award date | 7 May 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £15,967,000 |
| Lots value | £15,967,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £15,967,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled, Planned |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THAMES VALLEY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB) |
| Additional buyers | NHS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE AND BERKSHIRE WEST (BOB) INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); NHS FRIMLEY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); NHS HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); NHS KENT AND MEDWAY INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); NHS SURREY HEARTLANDS INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB); SURREY AND SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD (ICB) |
| Locality | COWLEY |
| Post town | Oxford |
| Postcode | OX4 2PG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex |
| ITL 3 | TLJ25 West Surrey |
| Local authority | Woking |
| Electoral ward | Canalside |
| Westminster constituency | Woking |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England), TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex, TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight, TLJ4 Kent |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SEEABILITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85100000 - Health services
- 85160000 - Optician services

## Release History

- 22 May 2026 at 08:14 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047510-2026
- 8 May 2026 at 15:37 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042717-2026
- 5 Jan 2026 at 12:21 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000273-2026
- 5 Sep 2025 at 15:01 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054400-2025

## Notice URLs

- https://atamis-1928.my.site.com/s/Welcome
- https://forms.office.com/e/Vz0N3Bm7B0
- https://www.bucksoxonberksw.icb.nhs.uk/
- 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/
- https://www.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/
- https://www.hantsiow.icb.nhs.uk/icb
- https://www.kentandmedway.icb.nhs.uk/
- https://www.surreyheartlands.org/nhs-surrey-heartlands-board
- https://www.surreysussex.icb.nhs.uk/
- https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/
- https://www.thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/

## Provenance

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