Register interest in becoming an Approved Provider for Independent Special Provision
Central Bedfordshire Council are developing a bank of Approved Providers for Independent Special Provision. This which will allow us to progress placements, confidently and quickly, for children and young people with complex needs with providers who we are assured provide good quality education and care.
We have published a tender to commission Independent residential and day special school placements for children and young people with SEND.
An Independent School refers to a school that is not receiving government funding and charges fees of which they have full control. This refers to any independent day school; Independent special school or independent post 16 institution.
Some Independent Special Schools may offer day, weekly and 38-week residential educational placements. In addition, some schools may offer additional residential placements up to 52 weeks.
Relevant legislation: Sections 33 and 39 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and Sections 9.78 to 9.87 of the Code of practice.
Independent Special Schools will be registered with the DfE and have relevant inspections conducted by Ofsted, Care Quality Commission, Independent Schools Inspectorate or equivalent if registered in Wales and Scotland.
Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 (the Act) allows the Secretary of State (SoS), by order, to publish a list of approved independent special schools and special post-16 institutions.
Any current placements for children and young people will not be affected, this approved provider list will commence from 1st September 2023 for all new placements.
All existing and new providers who would like to apply are asked to register their interest through our eTendering portal In-Tend. Any correspondence should be posted through this portal and tender responses should be submitted here as well.
Once you are registered and the tender is published your organisation will be able to ‘Express an Interest’ by clicking on the option. Once your organisation has done this, you will then be able to download the relevant tender pack documents for this tender.