Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to Answer of 18 January 2018 to Question 123606, on special educational needs, what the timescale is for an announcement on the procurement of further support for 2018-20; and whether such funding will be part of his Department's current budget allocation.

On 15 December 2017, the department published ‘Invitations to Tender’ for two new contracts to support the ongoing delivery of the special educational needs and disability (SEND) reforms over the next two years. The first was to support strategic participation by children and young people with SEND and their parents. The second was to provide strategic support to the workforce in mainstream and special schools.

On 8 January 2018, the department published a tender for a third contract, to provide families with access to independent advice and support.

Tender documentation was made available via the department’s Contracts Finder website at the links below:

Workforce: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5df96cf3-b759-4526-bb1e-f54bb02d9cda.

Strategic participation by children and young people with SEND and their families: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1f9fc153-7901-45a0-bed0-7d0357693216.

Information, Advice and Support services for children and young people with SEND and their parents: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/154f602a-ce17-4643-9716-0f3f813353b5.

Tender documents included an indicative timetable stating that, subject to successful contract discussions and clarifications, we hoped to commence the contracts from 2 April 2018. An announcement about the successful bidders will be made at that time.

Funding for these contracts will be part of this department's current budget allocation.