Request for Information - SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

Portsmouth City Council is in the process of considering our options for a SEND Information Advice Support Service. The SEN Code of Practice stipulates that local authorities have a duty to arrange for children with SEN or disabilities for whom they are responsible, and their parents, and young people with SEN or disabilities for whom they are responsible, to be provided with information and advice about matters relating to their SEN or disabilities, including matters relating to health and social care.

This must include information, advice and support on the take-up and management of Personal Budgets. In addition, in carrying out their duties under Part 3 of the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities must have regard to the importance of providing children and their parents and young people with the information and support necessary to participate in decisions.

The purpose of this Request for Information is to share with you our draft specification and ask you to comment on our requirements. Any information a provider shares could be used to assist drafting the final service specification.

We are also using this process to better understand market interest in the retender of this service provision. Engaging providers will not receive preferential treatment in any subsequent tender and participation is in no way an indication of the selection of your organisation or a guarantee of future work.

Providers should note that there is no obligation to take part in this exercise and that if they do not take part it will not preclude them from any subsequent related procurement process. Additional information: Portsmouth City Council is currently in the process of seeking requests for information for the following project - Request for Information - SEND Information, Advice and Support Services.

The full details and ability to express an interest will be via our e-sourcing system Intend. This filepath will take you to the relevant area of Intend, https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/Tenders/Current Once on the page you can either scroll down or use the search function to find the relevant project.