Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services for Children and Young People aged 0 to 25 years with SEND and their parents/carers

Staffordshire County Council wishes to commission high quality independent Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Services for Children and Young People aged 0 to 25 years with SEND (Special Educational Needs and/ or Disabilities), and their parents/carers, who are resident within Staffordshire. The successful Provider will be expected to: Promote the positive aspects of mediation and disagreement resolution as an opportunity to resolve disagreements before an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal; Provide Mediation Advisors who have received accredited mediation training and are registered or working towards registration with the College of Mediators and Civil Mediation Council; Have significant knowledge of the legislative framework relating to SEND; Work in accordance with the SEND Mediation Standards produced by the College of Mediators and the Civil Mediation Council with the Support of the Department for Education; Work effectively with children and young people with SEND, parents/ carers and the Local Authority; Provide appropriate mediation certification to parents/ carers within prescribed timescales; Report on progress and provide detailed performance management information to the Council, including feedback from service users; Have a local presence within Staffordshire and an understanding of the diverse nature of the County; Ensure that the Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service is made available to children and young people, parents/ carers on a flexible 37 hours a week basis across Staffordshire and that any information provided is in a range of accessible formats. The tender opportunity will be undertaken through the Authority's e-tendering system Proactis https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com Suppliers should register their interest for this tender opportunity by searching under reference IA1478.