Scope
Reference
2026-1-13 SALT
Description
Contract Details
This procurement process is intended to appoint a contract for a three-year period. The start date will be 21 August 2026.
We are looking for therapy provision equalling 10 days per week for 36 weeks per year across OTP during term time.
Additionally, we are looking for hours equivalent to 6 days per year for CPD and/or wider stakeholder input. This must include having availability outside term time to support staff training days and any other related activity. Please note, this includes the end of August due to start dates of Leicestershire schools.
Procurement Process
If your firm wishes to tender for this work, we would be grateful to receive an electronic copy of your proposal by Monday 16th February 2026 at 5pm at the latest. This should include evidence as to how you will meet the below requirements:
Requirements
The Contractor is required to provide the following services as part of the contract:
● An appropriately qualified Speech and Language Therapist with the appropriate legal registration.
● The Therapist will need arrangements for clinical supervision from a suitably qualified practitioner to support their work.
● The organisation or Therapist should have the appropriate policies and insurance in place:
○ Employers' liability insurance: £2 million
○ Professional insurance liability: £2 million
○ Data protection, code of conduct, and safeguarding policies.
● The therapist will be required to follow Trust and school policies in relation to working positively with pupils, safeguarding, and learning; unless this is in conflict with their own policies in which case this must be declared and a meeting to discuss remedial action may occur.
● A good knowledge of the current challenges within education.
● Experience of working in a special school or similar environment.
● Keeping up to date with recent research and codes of practice.
● Maintaining links with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and other professionals working in similar environments with young people.
Work/Support required as directed by the Leadership Teams of the respective schools
● To provide speech & language provision across OTP academies to support pupils as directed by the CEO and/or School Leadership Teams to include:
○ Direct 1:1 speech and language therapy
○ Small group therapy for focussed identified issues
● Facilitating a whole school approach to language and communication:
○ Devising and delivering training programmes and practical workshops for staff
○ Working collaboratively with teaching and support staff to ensure good practice is threaded throughout every day
○ Giving advice for school-based staff
○ Support the development of curriculum so that good practice is embedded across the curriculum and supported in long-term and medium-term planning
○ Working collaboratively with school staff and the families of the children and young people including providing recommendations.
● Carrying out assessments and writing reports. It is anticipated that this aspect of the role will be kept to a reasonable minimum so that time within school supporting improving practice is prioritised
○ Contributions to multi-disciplinary meeting e.g. annual reviews
○ Contributions to pupil progress reports where required
Through the above requirements this will result in:
○ provision of high-quality specialist support, enabling classroom-based staff to have a greater understanding of the speech and language needs of the children and young people within each school
○ partnership with the therapist to deliver bespoke, high quality, and evidence-based programmes and resources to address the needs of the young people.
○ improvement in pupils' speech, language and communication
○ pupils having the confidence to access resources, supporting improvement in engagement with learning which may have been compounded by reduced communication skills.
Total value (estimated)
- £250,000 excluding VAT
- £300,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2026 to 20 August 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80100000 - Primary education services
- 80200000 - Secondary education services
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
- 85323000 - Community health services
Contract locations
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
16 February 2026, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender Procedure
● The deadline for the submission of the tender is Monday 16th February 2026 at 5pm.
● Any interested party should submit a sealed bid to procurement@openthinkingpartnership.co.uk
● OTP will not consider any requests for the extension of the deadline.
● OTP will assess all proposals against our criteria.
● Depending on the number of bids, OTP reserves the right to introduce a presentation stage following the initial scoring to aid a final decision. Details of this will be provided if needed.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
16 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Order of importance |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of Therapy Provision | Quality | 1 |
| Cost of Contract | Cost | 2 |
| Reliability of Service | Quality | 3 |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
OPEN THINKING PARTNERSHIP
- Companies House: 08071851
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTJV-3733-XDMD
Dorothy Goodman School
Hinckley
LE10 0EA
United Kingdom
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government