North West SEND Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) and Alternative Provision

Placements North West in conjunction with Cheshire East Council are inviting new providers to join the North West Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) for SEND to provide North West Contracting Authorities with a route for placing 0-25 year old learners with SEND into education provision.

The services covered in this FPS are for Children and Young People aged up to 25 in independent and non-maintained schools, colleges, specialist Post 16 Institutions, General Further Education (GFE) and Independent Learning Providers for Learners 16 – 25 years who have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) and those who require access to Alternative Provision to support educational outcomes.

The (FPS) will facilitate the Local Authorities of the North West to purchase these services from the Supplier through a Call Off Contract comprising an Individual Placement Agreement (IPA) or Block Contract subject to the terms and conditions of the FPS and those of the Call Off Contract.
The provision must be able to meet the objectives established in the Learner’s Education, Health and Care Plan or within the IPA and services should be provided in compliance with all relevant statutory requirements, including timescales, and any requirements of the Regulatory Body.

The following Services are in scope of the FPS:
I. Lot 1: 0-16 Day education placement
II. Lot 2: Education with 38 week residential placement
III. Lot 3: Education with 52 week residential placement
IV. Lot 4: 16+ Day Education Placement
V. Lot 5: 16+ Education with Residential Placements
VI. Lot 6: Alternative Provision* – Registered Setting
VII. Lot 7: Alternative Provision* – Unregistered Setting

*Alternative Provision as defined by the Department for Education
“Education arranged by local authorities for pupils who, because of exclusion, illness or other reasons, would not otherwise receive suitable education; education arranged by schools for pupils on a fixed period exclusion; and pupils being directed by schools to off-site provision to improve their behaviour.”

In delivery of these services, the Provider shall operate fully in accordance with all relevant Acts of Parliament, amendment or re-enactment of any Act, Statutory Regulation, and other such laws and statutory guidance, as may affect the provision of education, health and care specified under the Contract

All services available under the FPS will be available to be called off by the 24 Contracting Authorities in the North West region. The regional FPS which will provide consistent quality standards, streamline processes, improve communication and encourage innovation.