Educational Psychology Advice for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments

Cumberland CouncilcontractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-0682baProcurement Act 2023Light-touch servicesSME suitableVCSE suitableclosed for bids
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Estimated value

£225k

services

Awarded value

Suppliers

0

Lots

1

0 awarded

Published

15 Apr 2026

Deadline 30 Apr 2026

Description

Cumberland Council is seeking to procure a provider to deliver Educational Psychology Advice for Education Health and Care Needs Assessments. Cumberland Council is responsible for securing high-quality Educational Psychology (EP) advice to support statutory Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs). Due to sustained demand pressures and national EP workforce shortages, additional EP capacity is required. This service provides locum Educational Psychologists to restore statutory compliance and ensure timely, evidence-based assessments. The council proposes to enter into the contract for an initial term of 04 months with the successful tenderer. There is one optional extension available of 02 months. It is up to the council whether or not to implement this optional extension. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 30th September 2026. The contract value for the initial term is £180000 excluding VAT. If the council implements the one optional extension, the contract will end on 30th November 2026. The contract value for the initial term, the optional extension periods and the potential uplifts is £220000 excluding VAT. This figure is indicative only as the extension periods and uplifts are not guaranteed. If the council implements an extension or uplift, this will be confirmed with the successful supplier in advance. If the services to be provided are VAT exempt then VAT cannot be charged by the successful supplier. For further details and to access the tender documents use our online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk You must be registered on The Chest to be able to view the opportunity and submit a tender. Registration is free. Ensure you read and understand the Invitation to Tender (ITT) and its appendices before completing the tender documents. Clarification questions can be asked on The Chest messaging section. You should take note of the deadlines in the Procurement Timetable, which is in the ITT. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.

Scope

Reference
ocds-h6vhtk-0682ba
Total value
£225,000 excluding VAT
£270,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
31 May 2026 to 30 Sept 2026
Possible extension to 30 Nov 2026

There is one optional extension available of 02 months. It is up to the council whether or not to implement this optional extension.

Main category
services
CPV classifications
85121270
Contract locations
North West England, United Kingdom
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Quality Responsequality60.00%
Priceprice40.00%

Submission & procedure

Enquiry deadline
27 Apr 2026, 11:00 am
Submission deadline
30 Apr 2026, 9:00 am
Submission address
For further details and to access the tender documents use our online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk You must be registered on The Chest to be able to view the opportunity and submit a tender. Registration is free.
Electronic submission
Yes
Procedure
Below threshold - open competition