---
title: "Independent Scrutineer SEND"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-07-10"
---

# Independent Scrutineer SEND

Buyer: NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2.json)

## Summary

Northumberland County Council has initiated an open procurement process for the role of an Independent Scrutineer for the Northumberland Strategic SEND Partnership. This tender, titled "Independent Scrutineer SEND," falls under the services category and is classified specifically under administrative and social work services. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with a closing date for submissions set for 20th July 2026. The total contract is valued at £96,000 and is scheduled to run from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2028, with the potential for a one-year extension. The project will take place in Northumberland, UKC21 region.

This tender presents a significant business growth opportunity for providers experienced in process scrutiny and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services. It is particularly suited for SMEs capable of offering rigorous challenge and independent assurance to support local multiagency SEND arrangements. Businesses that can effectively integrate the voice of children, young people, and their families into decision-making processes will find this contract highly fitting. The procurement method is an open competition, encouraging diverse participation to ensure high-quality delivery of required services.

## Notice

Northumberland County Council wishes to commission a suitably experienced provider to undertake the role of Independent Scrutineer of the Northumberland Strategic SEND Partnership. The provider must be able to offer independent scrutiny, rigorous constructive challenge, independent chair role and objective assurance to support the SEND Partnership to fulfil its responsibilities for improving outcomes, experiences and inclusion for children and young people with SEND and their families. The role includes: * Providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of local multiagency SEND arrangements, with a particular focus on practice, co production, lived experience, and impact. * Supporting the inclusion of the voice of children, young people and families in decision-making and quality assurance. * Providing an independent view of the effectiveness, pace and impact of SEND improvement activity, including progress against inspection findings and the Local Area SEND Reform Plan. The SEND Partnership Board, workstreams and subgroups meet on a quarterly schedule. The Independent Scrutineer will be required to provide scrutiny and challenge across the Partnership, hold partners to account, and provide an independent view of the effectiveness of SEND arrangements across education, health and care. The role will be required to chair the partnership quarterly board meetings. This is an evolving role, aligned to the national SEND reform programme (2026-2035), the Local SEND Reform Plan, and the Local Partnership Maturity Assessment.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One 12-month optional extension. The Customer shall be entitled to extend the Contract End Date by such period as it requires, subject to a maximum period of 1 years and a minimum period of 30 days, by giving to the Supplier not less than 30 days' written notice prior to the Contract End Date.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065271-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Jul 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £96,000 |
| Lots value | £96,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | MORPETH |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE61 2EF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC42 Northumberland |
| Local authority | Northumberland |
| Electoral ward | Morpeth Kirkhill |
| Westminster constituency | North Northumberland |
| Delivery location | TLC21 Northumberland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 75120000 - Administrative services of agencies
- 85300000 - Social work and related services

## Release History

- 10 Jul 2026 at 14:16 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065271-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065271-2026
  10th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- www.open-uk.org
  To view this opportunity you will need to register on the OPEN E-procurement portal. When registered please go to "Browse Opportunities" and search for NCC1990 Independent Scrutineer SEND.

## Notice URLs

- http://www.northumberland.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.open-uk.org/
- https://www.open-uk.org/ToviewthisopportunityyouwillneedtoregisterontheOPENE-procurementportal.Whenregistered,pleasesearchfortenderNCC1990IndependentScrutineerSEND.

## 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-06c8c2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c8c2.json.