Expansion of Existing Specialist Provision Places

The Council is wishing to increase the number of Key Stage (KS) 3 and 4 and Post 16 (P16) specialist places in Barnsley. In order to help inform such an exercise, the Council in undertaking this pre-market engagement stage to explore what is available and seek feedback and guidance from the supply market prior to progressing the procurement.

Barnsley’s aim is for children and young people to be educated closer to home, in their communities, able to access local health and social care services and local social opportunities. This project supports the achievement of the priorities set out in Children’s Services’ self-evaluation framework.

In response, Barnsley seeks to increase numbers of specialist places within the borough for students aged between 11 and 25 with a profile of communication and interaction (C&I). The successful provider will operate a satellite of existing provision, delivering a specialist curriculum for those students with a profile of C&I including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Students’ profiles will also include social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) particularly those with disruptive and challenging behaviours requiring interventions that cater for their primary need of C&I. Barnsley initially seeks provide 20 places from April 2026 increasing by at least 10 places each academic year until we reach 50 places.

Capacity will be reviewed annually to reflect and cater for the identified need in the borough. This is a market testing exercise therefore no estimated value is available.

Please note that the end date will change, however we do not have the full details of the length of the agreement at this stage. Please download and review the Market Engagement Information Document and PRD Market Engagement Document for further information. The deadline to submit Appendix 1 is 22/09/2025 at 12noon.