Education Services For Children And Young People With Special Educational Needs And Disabilities
Framework Description
Derby City Council's framework for Education Services for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) replaces its earlier dynamic purchasing system. It is an open framework with an estimated value of £60 million, running from 2 April 2026 to 1 November 2031 with no extension. Applications are accepted during defined windows rather than at any time, so suppliers need to watch for each reopening.
Context & Use Case
The council uses it to commission education support for children and young people with SEND, across a range of specialisms. Schools and council teams need reliable access to specialist teaching, assessments, therapy and inclusion support as needs change. The open framework structure gives a formal route that lets new providers come in at each reopening.
Scope of Services
Specialist teaching and learning support Educational assessment and educational psychology Therapeutic and intervention programmes Behaviour and inclusion support Transition planning Specialist curriculum delivery and educational accommodation
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits independent special schools, alternative provision, tutoring and therapy providers, and SEND specialists of any size. The framework is Live and open in windows, so suppliers not yet on it can apply when the next window opens. Check Derby's tenders and contracts page for window dates.
Buyer Benefits
The council gets a vetted pool of SEND providers across many specialisms, so it can place a child quickly when a need arises. Reopening windows let it add capacity where gaps appear. Buyers here look for safeguarding, quality of provision, clear outcomes for each child and reliable communication with families and schools.
Next Steps
Check Derby City Council's tenders and contracts page for the framework documents and the next application window. Prepare evidence of SEND provision, inspection outcomes, safeguarding policies, qualified staff and outcomes for pupils. If you held a place on the council's earlier SEND dynamic purchasing system, apply to this framework as well, since it replaces that DPS.
How Athena Can Help
Open frameworks reward providers who are ready when the window opens. Athena's open framework application support would prepare your application, from selection questions and policies to case studies of SEND outcomes, and check it for compliance before submission. Once you are on, our bid support can help you win placements or service call-offs. For providers new to council work, public sector bidding guidance covers the basics of compliant bids and social value.
