SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS)

Buyer
Cheshire East Council
Value
£440,000
Closes
20 November 2026
Where
Crewe, the North West
Type
Open tender

In plain English

Cheshire East Council wants a provider to run a mediation and disagreement resolution service for families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The service is a quicker, less formal alternative to a tribunal hearing, and the estimated value is £440,000.

What the buyer wants

• Run mediation sessions between parents, young people and professionals about education, health and care needs assessments and EHC plans (Education, Health and Care plans) • Offer disagreement resolution on other SEN issues, helping families and professionals reach agreement without going to tribunal • Help rebuild communication and relationships between families and professionals where they have broken down

Likely requirements

Our reading of the notice. Always check the tender documents.

The notice does not state formal pre-qualification criteria, but the main barriers are the need for trained, impartial mediators with specialist SEND legal knowledge and the ability to deliver a service across the council area, which would rule out most businesses without relevant specialist staff.

How to bid

This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.

How to write a tender response

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