LPS CARE - SEND Education and Specialist Provision Framework

Lancashire County Council ("the Authority") is currently undertaking preparation work to explore the establishment of a new commissioning arrangement for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) education and specialist provision.

The proposals are intended to support the Authority in meeting the educational needs of children and young people with SEND and may include provision relating to:

• Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools (INMSS);

• Post-16 and Post-19 Further Education and Specialist Education provision (Further Education); and

• Alternative Provision (AP).

The Authority is engaging with providers and stakeholders to better understand current market capacity, capability and future opportunities to support children and young people across Lancashire.

Through this engagement, the Authority aims to develop a commissioning approach that supports high-quality provision, encourages collaboration with the market, and helps ensure sufficient capacity is available to meet current and future needs.

This page will be used to provide information regarding market engagement activity, future procurement opportunities, provider briefing events and, where applicable, procurement documentation.

At this stage, no procurement process has formally commenced and the information provided is intended for market engagement and planning purposes only. Any future procurement activity will be conducted in accordance with the relevant procurement legislation and the Authority's governance requirements. All tenders are published on the Authority's e-tendering portal, Oracle Fusion

The Authority has undertaken a significant programme of market engagement with providers operating across all SEND provision. Engagement has taken place through face-to-face events, online sessions, workshops and provider questionnaires to help inform the development of the proposed commissioning approach.

Overall, feedback has been positive, with providers expressing a strong willingness to work with Lancashire and support the growing demand for SEND provision. Providers highlighted opportunities to expand capacity, develop new services and work more collaboratively with the Council to improve outcomes for children and young people.

The engagement identified several consistent themes. Providers expressed a desire for simpler and more transparent commissioning processes, clearer communication, improved visibility of future demand and greater confidence that opportunities will result in placements. There was also strong support for greater flexibility across delivery models, improved pathways into employment and independence, and the development of a commissioning approach that focuses on outcomes as well as placements.

The feedback received is directly informing the development of the framework and will continue to shape future commissioning arrangements. The Authority intends to maintain ongoing engagement with providers throughout the life of future arrangements, sharing market intelligence, discussing emerging needs and working collaboratively to develop sustainable and high-quality provision for children and young people with SEND.