Reopening of Lot 4 (DfE ECSC Framework) SEND Advisors

Our vision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is the same as for all children and young people - that they achieve well in their early years with the best start in life, achieve and thrive at school and in college; they find employment; lead happy, fulfilled lives; and experience choice and control. ​ The government's plan is to ensure opportunity for all by delivering an excellent, inclusive education for every child with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert teachers. This will be supported through an inclusive mainstream system, with specialist support for children that need it, and improved, efficient and effective local delivery.​

The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for supporting improvement in local authorities with regards to the provision of special educational needs and disability (SEND) services. This is done in part through drawing down external expertise to support local authorities.​

The Department wishes to appoint SEND Advisers in FY 25-26 to provide tailored advice and support to local authorities and help them improve readiness for and effectively implement the SEND reforms such that they sustainably deliver the best possible outcomes for their children and young people with SEND. These could be former or practising local government officers with a robust knowledge of the current SEND system. ​

MAXIMUM VALUE: up to £600 daily rate ex VAT​

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES ​

SEND Advisers will provide advisory support to a portfolio of local authorities as they work with their system partners to effectively plan and implement the SEND reforms such that they sustainably deliver the best possible outcomes for their children and young people with SEND. The role requires in-depth knowledge of the SEND sector as a whole, as well as understanding of strategy, governance and leadership for delivering system transformation and change.​

Essential skills and experience​

A strong understanding of the SEND system and underlying drivers of inclusive practice.​ Experience, knowledge and understanding of local area SEND provision.​ Experience in influencing effective change and improvement in educational settings and/or LAs.​ Strong communication skills to convey complex information effectively, engage with a wide range of partners and to manage competing views.​ The ability to work autonomously, collaboratively and proactively to support local areas to drive forward change and implementation at pace. ​

Responsibilities​

Act as a critical friend and provide support and challenge to the designated authorities as required.​ Provide mentoring and coaching support to LA senior leaders and SEND management teams as required.​ Support the Department for Education to undertake reviews, as required, of relevant local authorities' progress against implementation.​ Provide written reports on local authorities' progress to DfE as required Provide other support services

Additional information: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:​​

This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services for the Department. The procurement of any services will be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Act 2023 where applicable. The purpose of this PIN is to stimulate early market interest and invite interested parties to take part in preliminary market consultations. ​

LOT4 already exists, we are reopening the existing framework, and this procurement will involve adding new suppliers and opening LOT4, and new call off agreements to allocate work.​

Further details on the procurement approach and timing will be shared in due course.​

The Department for Education (DfE) currently uses an online procurement system Jaggaer to procure Advisers. ​SEND Advisers will be procured under the Education and Children's Social Care Professional Framework, Lot 4.​

You will need to register on Jaggaer to express interest in this opportunity and receive further information including the contract notice.​

You can register your expression of interest on Jaggaer up to 11:59pm on 26 September, if you are experiencing issues registering on Jaggaer please email [email protected]

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact the Jaggaer Helpdesk by calling 0800 069 8630 / +44 203 608 4013 or emailing [email protected]. For any other queries please contact [email protected].​

Please also share this exciting opportunity with your networks and other individuals who might be interested in this opportunity.​