Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Mediation and Dispute Resolution Services

Norfolk County Council wishes to procure a provider of a holistic Mediation and Dispute Resolution Service for children and young people aged 0 to 25 year in Norfolk with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Service will commence November 2016.

It is the intention that Norfolk County Council will collaborate with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Norfolk to commission a single organisation to provide an independent and impartial Mediation and Dispute Resolution services for: • Children and Young People with education, health and care needs • Parents and those with parental responsibility for children and young people with special education needs and /or disabilities • Norfolk County Council and • Health organisations The Children and Families Act 2014 requires Mediation and Dispute Resolution services to be put in place by Local Authorities. Health Commissioners also have a duty to provide and take part in Mediation as identified in the Children and Families Act 2014 and Children’s and Young People’s Continuing Care National Framework 2016.

The Service will need to have an understanding of the applicable Legislation, the SEND Code of Practice, National Frameworks and Guidance and Norfolk’s Local Offer (Policies, Practices and Procedures). Norfolk County Council uses an electronic system for all its tenders and further competitions.

In order to be invited to tender you will need to register on our e-tendering system, In-Tend. Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at; https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the support team by phoning 0844 2728810 or emailing support@in-tend.co.uk.