Open Framework for Specialist Support and Therapies for Children and Young People with SEND

Opportunity overview

The London Borough of Hounslow is seeking experienced providers for an open framework to provide Specialist Support and Therapies for Children and Young People with SEND. This open framework is established by the London Borough of Hounslow for use by the Authority, named Local Authorities and Educational Institutions, including all maintained schools, academies, free schools, special schools, pupil referral units, alternative provision settings, further education colleges, specialist post-16 institutions and other educational establishments within Greater London and the additional geographical areas specified in this notice. The Framework provides a compliant, quality-assured route for the Authority, schools, education settings, out of borough settings and other authorised Customers to purchase support from NHS, independent, voluntary and community sector and public service Providers. The open framework supports Section F delivery and may support assessment, advice, early intervention, graduated response, consultation, workforce development and AP outreach where an authorised call-off is made. It does not transfer or dilute any statutory duty held by the Authority, an education setting, an ICB, the NHS or another public body. • The Framework provides a compliant, quality-assured route for the Authority, schools, education settings, out of borough settings and other authorised Customers to purchase support from NHS, independent, voluntary and community sector and public service Providers. • The Framework supports Section F delivery and may support assessment, advice, early intervention, graduated response, consultation, workforce development and AP outreach where an authorised call-off is made. It does not transfer or dilute any statutory duty held by the Authority, an education setting, an ICB, the NHS or another public body. Hounslow is a diverse and mobile borough. The February 2025 SEND and AP Strategic Improvement Plan records a population of about 291,000, 188 languages, 79 schools serving around 48,000 pupils and more than 5,000 in-year school admissions. The same baseline records 3,100 active EHCPs in January 2024, equal to 4.5% of the school population, and SEN Support at 14.5% in 2023/24. • Demand is variable across the academic year and is affected by EHCP activity, annual reviews, statutory assessment, transitions, mid-year admissions, placement change, AP and attendance pressures, tribunal activity, out of borough placements and national SEND reform. No historic or forecast figure is a guaranteed call-off volume. • The Framework supports the SEND and AP Strategic Improvement Plan, One Hounslow needs-led funding, the developing Experts at Hand model and the requirement to strengthen oversight of therapy funding allocated to education settings. • The Framework principles are: Child-centred - The child's voice, aspirations, communication and lived experience shape plans, delivery and review. Timely and flexible -Customers can access suitable capacity, specialisms and delivery models without avoidable delay. Inclusive and preventative -Support strengthens participation, early intervention and mainstream inclusion without weakening statutory provision. Choice and continuity -Call-offs can consider need, family preference, continuity, location, capacity, quality and value. Transparent and comparable -Common standards, maximum prices and evidence requirements reduce unjustified variation and duplicate payment. Sustainable market -The open structure supports SMEs, sole practitioners, VCS, NHS and larger Providers through proportionate requirements. One system - Education, health, care and commissioned services work together with clear responsibilities and escalation routes. • Providers must comply with all legislation, statutory guidance, professional requirements and local procedures in force during the Framework and each call-off. References below include any successor or updated requirement.  Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004.  Education Act 1996, including section 19, and Education Act 2002, including safeguarding duties.  Children and Families Act 2014, SEND Regulations 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.  Equality Act 2010, Human Rights Act 1998 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 where applicable.  Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, common law confidentiality and records management requirements.  Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations.  Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024 where relevant to Framework and call-off awards.  Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026.  DfE guidance on arranging AP, school attendance and non-school AP standards.  HCPC, RCSLT, RCOT, BPS, DECP, NICE and other competent-body requirements applicable to the ordered service. Appointment to the open framework gives no guaranteed work, expenditure, volume or exclusivity for any of the 4 lots. For further details please refer to the suite of tender documents available on the following link

Lot 1 — Speech and Language Therapy

Type of Service, Assessment, advice, intervention, review, training, consultation and specialist communication support for children and young people with SEND whose speech, language, communication or social communication needs affect access to education, participation, safety, relationships or preparation for adulthood. Eating, drinking and swallowing assessment and management is outside the standard scope of Lot 1. Registration Requirements HCPC registration for Speech and Language Therapists. Assistants, associates and therapy support staff may deliver specified activity only under documented supervision, competence checks and clear accountability from an HCPC registered Speech and Language Therapist.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £75.0m

Award criterion: Quality: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Contract starts: 31 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2035

Lot 2 — Occupational Therapy

Type of Service - Assessment, advice, intervention, review, training, consultation and specialist functional participation support for children and young people with SEND whose sensory, motor, functional, self-care, handwriting, movement, mobility, posture, equipment or environmental needs affect access to education, independence, participation, safety or preparation for adulthood. Registration Requirements - HCPC registration for Occupational Therapists. Assistants, associates and therapy support staff may deliver specified activity only under documented supervision, competence checks and clear accountability from an HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £75.0m

Award criterion: Quality: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Contract starts: 31 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2035

Lot 3 — Educational Psychology

Type of Service - Psychological consultation, observation, assessment, formulation, advice, intervention, review, training, supervision, research, statutory SEND advice, annual review and transition input, tribunal support, EBSA and inclusion work, critical incident support, setting-level and system activity, and optional full-day EP locum capacity for children and young people with SEND. Registration Requirements - Professional accountability must be held by an HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist entitled to use the protected title Educational Psychologist. Trainee Educational Psychologists, assistant psychologists, associates and other support staff may deliver specified activity only under documented supervision, competence checks and quality assurance. They must not make independent statutory recommendations outside their authorised role

Estimated lot value including VAT: £75.0m

Award criterion: Quality: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Contract starts: 31 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2035

Lot 4 — Alternative Provision Outreach

Type of Service - Targeted and Targeted Plus inclusion and alternative provision support for children and young people whose attendance, engagement, behaviour, SEMH, reintegration or participation needs affect access to education. Services must be linked to identified Targeted or Targeted Plus needs and may include targeted in-school intervention, individual support planning, enhanced monitoring, outreach, individual or small group programmes, short-term alternative provision, academic or therapeutic intervention, review and reintegration planning. Registration Requirements - Providers must ensure staff hold qualifications, training, experience and professional registration appropriate to the activity delivered. Where provision requires DfE registration, Ofsted registration or another regulatory status, the Provider must hold and maintain that status before delivery. Before delivery starts, the Authority's AP service will complete or confirm the required local quality assurance of the Provider, proposed provision and premises. Providers must cooperate with checks, visits and required actions and must not begin delivery until local approval is confirmed. Providers must not deliver provision in a way that would operate unlawfully as an unregistered school or unregulated service.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £75.0m

Award criterion: Quality: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Contract starts: 31 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2035

Contracting authority

London Borough of Hounslow Hounslow House, 7 Bath Road, Hounslow, London, TW3 3EB, UKI75, United Kingdom Email: tracey.williams@hounslow.gov.uk

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Open procedure

Clarification deadline: 1 December 2026 at 01:00 pm

Submission deadline: 9 December 2026 at 01:00 pm

Award decision expected by: 1 February 2027 at 11:59 pm

Electronic submissions: allowed

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

80000000 — Education and training services; 85000000 — Health and social work services

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to ProContract. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

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