Decision details

To award contracts to the providers of Further Education for Young People with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), in preparation for transfer of funding from the Department for Education

(1)    That the Council enter into contracts for 2 years from 1 September 2013 with 63 providers as named in item 12, the confidential annex to this report, all of which are existing Independent Specialist College providers providing post-16 further educational services to young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, on terms to be agreed with Legal Services for both existing and new placements with these providers.

(2)     That the estimated value of these contracts over a two year period will not exceed £18.1m.

Reasons for Decisions

The recommendation ensures continuity of provision for young people already in placements that will continue into the academic year 2013-14 and provides a contractual basis for new placements starting in September 2013.

The new contracts will ensure 2 academic years are contracted with providers and this encompasses the variations in provider college holiday periods. No service will be required from the providers in the period from 31 July 2013 to 30 August 2013.

The current value of these contracts is £9,048,947 for a full academic year.

[The decisions on this item may be called in by the Children and Education Select Committee]