Provider Guide to how West Sussex County Council Buys (Commissions) SEND Services for Children and Young People

In West Sussex the local authority wants all children and young people to gain the skills and confidence they need to live well in their community. Children and young people should be supported and nurtured through an educational, health and social care system that responds to their circumstances, learning needs, health needs and abilities to prepare them for adulthood.

The Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Contracts and Commissioning team support this vision by initiating, establishing, monitoring, and reviewing contracts with educational and social care service providers that work with West Sussex County Council (WSCC). The contracting mechanisms to help us achieve this are Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) and Frameworks.

How the Local Authority Commissions and Contracts

WSCC use Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs) or Frameworks to commission a range of services. DPSs and Frameworks are the contractual mechanisms between the local authority and providers that allows for quality assurance, compliance checks and monitoring etc. to ensure suitability to work with WSCC, as well as ensuring the obligations of both the local authority and the provider are fulfilled. Providers will be asked to submit expression to join a DPS or Framework via an online portal called Intend.

What Are the Benefits of Being Accepted onto a DPS or Framework?

Once accepted providers can:

  • Enter into an agreement to supply services for West Sussex Children and Young People funded by the Local Authority.
  • Gather commissioning intelligence into the needs of children and young people that the local authority is looking to source services from the external market.
  • Have the opportunity to express interest in providing placements via the referral process.
  • Participate in networking activities and forums with similar-minded providers.

    Here’s what one short break provider said about navigating Intend, “Once you know where to go it is a very easy process to follow. You don’t have to worry about making a mistake as there are opportunities to change things even when you have pressed the ‘submit’ button.” If a provider ever has a question or concern about the practicalities of applying to join a DPS the contracts and commissioning team are there to support you.

    “The team are there to help. Don’t be afraid to contact them. They are very supportive.” From Anni Rhodes-Steere of Head2Head Sensory Theatre.

    What DPSs and Frameworks are there?

  • The SEND Contracts and Commissioning Team manage 4 DPSs and Frameworks:
  • Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)
  • Children’s Placement and Other Support Services (CPOSS)
  • Family and Community Support Services (FACS)
  • Short Breaks

    Independent Alternative Provision DPS

    Independent Alternative Provision supports children and young people who because of illness or other reasons, would not receive suitable full-time education without such provision.

    The DPS covers five categories of provision.

    Category Providers
    Category 1 - Early intervention and prevention Example of types of provisions includes: tutoring group/1-2-1, arts and crafts, cooking, animal therapies, forest school, fishing and equine therapy. Angling 4 Education, Asphaleia Ltd, BrightTeach Ltd, Chichester Forest School, Crimsham Farm CIC, EAQ Grass Roots, Learn Solutions Ltd, Lorica Trust, Nisai, Nudge, SENse Learning, Targeted Provision, Teaching Personnel
    Category 2 – Vocational Opportunities (including post 16 provision) Examples of provisions include forest school, angling, outdoor and indoor activities, vocational courses. Angling 4 Education, Chichester Forest School, Crimsham Farm CIC, EAQ Grass Roots, Lorica Trust, Red Balloon in the Air, SENse Learning
    Category 3 - Interim face to face tutoring for learners waiting an education placement or who have been excluded Provision of temporary education to the learner whilst an education placement is sought by WSCC. Asphaleia Ltd, BrightTeach Limited, National Teaching Association Service (NTAS), Nudge, Red Balloon in the Air, SENse Learning, Targeted Provision, Teaching Personnel, At School Online, Five Rivers Child Care Limited, Learn Solutions Ltd, Nisai, Red Balloon in the Air
    Category 4 - Online Tutoring (also known as blended package) Learners are taught remotely through online platforms. At School Online, Five Rivers Child Care Limited, Learn Solutions Ltd, Nisai, Red Balloon in the Air
    Category 5 – Complex Learners Support learners, who due to their mental health and/or medical reasons cannot attend their education setting or who are unable to verbally express their unmet social and emotional needs so communicate this by becoming withdrawn, self-harming, isolate or display disruptive or disturbing behaviour. Angling 4 Education, EAQ Grass Roots, Lorica Trust, National Teaching Association Service (NTAS), SENse Learning, Targeted Provision, Teaching Personnel

    If you would like any further information surrounding the contract please email [email protected]

    Children’s Placement and Other Support Services (CPOSS) DPS

    This DPS is for the provision of placements for children from providers of independent and non-maintained special schools, and accommodation (including independent foster and residential care). The DPS has 4 categories, and you may apply to join any or all of them, depending on your offer and registration with Ofsted.

    Category Description
    Category 1 Schools, including residential schools, day schools, children’s homes with education and residential short breaks
    Category 2 Specialist Provision Institutions (Colleges)
    Category 3 Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA)
    Category 4 Children’s Residential

    Family and Community Support Services (FACS) Framework

    The Family and Community Support Framework aims to develop the range of suitable providers to support families with children and young people (up to age 16) with complex needs and/or autism, at home and in their community, who require bespoke care packages and enable these to be co-produced with children, young people, parents and social workers. There are two categories, or lots you may apply to join:

    Lot Providers
    Lot 1 – Standard Care and Support Care and support in the family home or in the community. This includes an outcomes-based approach working with children and young people towards increasing self-esteem, enhancing life opportunities and support leading to independent living and support managing basic everyday living tasks, in transition to adulthood. Staffing levels of 2:1 may be required due to manual handling requirements. Affinity Trust Sutton, Appletree Support, Aspens Charity, Caremark Chichester, Caremark Ltd (Pulborough), Chailey Heritage, DMC Signature, Kardinal Healthcare, Sillywater and Taylor Grace
    Lot 2 – Enhanced Care and Support In addition to meeting all the requirements of Standard Care and Support (Lot 1), the enhanced level of care and support will deliver outcomes for children and young people with significant and highly complex disabilities that require additional specialist skilled and trained practitioners. Staffing levels of 2:1 may be required due to challenging behaviour. Service Provider staff will have an in-depth understanding and ability to manage positive behaviour interventions and/or complex health needs. This level of service also includes additional specialist provision in relation to profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Affinity Trust Sutton, Appletree Support, Aspens Charity, Chailey Heritage, DMC Signature and Kardinal Healthcare

    Short Breaks DPS

    The Short Breaks DPS provides fun, leisure and social activities for children and young people with additional need and disabilities outside of the school day.
    There are four categories through which providers may apply for funding:

    Category Description
    Category 1 Opportunities for the whole family to enjoy activities together
    Category 2 Targeted fun and play, social, arts, sports and leisure activities
    Category 3 Increasing access to universal services - tailored support enabling families to help themselves
    Category 4 Innovation, pilot activities

    Joining a Framework or DPS

    Before being accepted onto a DPS or Framework all providers undergo rigorous checks on health, safety, environmental, quality, technical and financial suitability . This is followed up with regular monitoring throughout the lifecycle of all active contracts to ensure continuous improvement and consistent quality in standard of service.

    The DPSs and Frameworks give the local authority approved supplier lists to which ‘mini-tenders’ or block contracts can be issued. Providers can only be invited to take part in the tendering process when it has entered into an agreement with WSCC.

    In the event that a provider is asked to support a child or young person under a DPS or Framework, WSCC will undertake performance monitoring related to the services provided. The frequency and methodology for this will vary, but each provider will be regularly monitored including against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

    To apply to a DPS or Framework, providers must create an account on the Intend platform, find the tender and complete the relevant documentation.

    Further information Further information can be found on the West Sussex corporate website

    Making Contact The contracts and commissioning team are always keen to hear from new and established providers that may be able to provide suitable services. If you would like more information regarding working with WSCC in any of the areas of service outline above, are ready to express an interest or wish to make an application to join please send an email to [email protected].

    The SEND Contracts and Commissioning Team will engage with providers to understand how we can further develop this overview.