Experts at Hand: Occupational Therapy, Inclusion and Participation Service

Norfolk County Council is inviting tenders for an Occupational Therapy, Inclusion and Participation Service supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with an estimated maximum contract value of £8.4 million.

The service forms part of the Council’s Experts at Hand programme, which aims to bring specialist support directly into mainstream education settings.

The successful provider will deliver:

• Specialist occupational therapy, inclusion and participation support.
• Assessments and targeted interventions for children and young people with SEND.
• Support for early years, primary, secondary and post-16 education settings.
• Professional guidance to help education staff identify needs and provide appropriate support.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Norfolk County Council
• Deadline: 13 November 2026, 10:00am
• Contract Value: £3,829,100 initial term; £8,400,000 estimated including potential extensions
• Delivery Length: Until 31 March 2029, with a possible extension of up to 3 years
• Service Commencement: 22 February 2027
• Tender Reference: NCCT43502
• Tender Link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Login

Extensions are subject to additional funding and Council approval and are not guaranteed.

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality and Innovation: 40%
• Integration, Collaboration and Sustainability: 25%
• Improving Access and Reducing Inequalities: 25%
• Social Value: 10%
• Price: Pass/Fail

Supplier Requirements

The procurement will follow the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) 2023, using a competitive process with dialogue.

Applicants must pass the basic selection criteria before their quality and pricing submissions are evaluated.

Further professional, financial and technical requirements are available within the procurement documents.

The opportunity is relevant to occupational therapy providers, SEND specialists and organisations supporting inclusion within mainstream education.

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If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at advertising@dailyround.news