Planning

SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution

  • Norfolk County Council

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-002473

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04d5ee

Published 24 January 2025, 9:59am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Norfolk County Council

County Hall, Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DH

Email

sourcingteam@norfolk.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.norfolk.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Home

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution

Reference number

NCCT43111

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Norfolk County Council’s (NCC) contract for the provision of SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution is due to end on 31st August 2025. The Council is currently scoping its requirements for a new contract to commence on 1st September 2025.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £600,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services
  • 85300000 - Social work and related services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
  • UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
  • UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Main site or place of performance

Across Norfolk (Breckland, Broadland, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk, Norwich, South Norfolk)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires Mediation and Disagreement Resolution (MDR) services to be put in place by Local Authorities and health commissioners. Norfolk’s MDR service is jointly commissioned between Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB).Disagreement Resolution and Mediation is a voluntary, private and confidential process. The aim is to bring people together in a facilitated way to find solutions to their disagreements.It can save time and pressure for all involved and it can help re-build relationships that have broken down. Early resolution of disagreements benefits children, young people, parents, carers, institutions and professionals’ party to the disagreement. • Mediation focuses on elements of an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in education, social care or health. It is used at various stages of the process and is specifically linked to decisions about EHCP needs assessments and plans. • Disagreement Resolution focuses on any element of SEND provision, not just those who are being assessed for (or have) an EHCP.

two.2.14) Additional information

The market engagement event will take place on Monday 10th February 2025 on MS Teams (this date may be subject to change). Interested parties will need to register their interest on In-Tend and a separate invite will be sent.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

24 March 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The market engagement event will take place on Monday 10th February 2025 on MS Teams (this date may be subject to change). Interested parties will need to register their interest on In-Tend and a separate invite will be sent. This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council's e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfile). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest' to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +448442728810 or emailing support@in-tend.co.uk