Contract

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for Special Schools

• West Sussex County Council F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-030629

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-067b4c

Published 1 April 2026, 7:11pm

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Contents

one. Contracting authority Press escape key to exit two. Object four. Procedure five. Award of contract six. Complementary information

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• Copy link Print this notice Report concerns about this procurement ## Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

West Sussex County Council

County Hall

Chichester

PO19 1RG

Contact

Linda Jones

Email

bsdprocurement@westsussex.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk

Buyer's address

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services

Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for Special Schools

Reference number

C24051

two.1.2) Main CPV code

Health and social work services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for West Sussex County Council Special Schools

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £4,146,000

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes

• UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Authority intends to award a contract to an existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Health and Care Act 2022 Provider Selection Regime (PSR).
Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that the communication and interaction outcomes and provision to meet those (as outlined in each Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are fulfilled. The contracted services will continue to provide Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) services to children and young People in West Sussex County Council maintained Special Schools. The therapy will be accessible to Children and Young People (CYP) with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) attending West Sussex maintained special schools.
At least 3% of all children have Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) linked with other impairments, including those with hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and specific learning difficulties. In fact, most children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have some degree of SLCN. They all need support to learn and to communicate to the very best of their ability so that they may achieve the best possible outcomes in the context of their individual educational, health and social and emotional needs.
The service provides assessment, advice and/or a range of therapeutic interventions for children with speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) within West Sussex Maintained Special Schools across universal, targeted and specialist tiers of provision.
The service will work directly into the school premises, staff will provide training and support to classroom staff with regard to teaching and learning for children who have speech and language needs and also undertake direct therapeutic interventions with children who have this identified as a need in their EHCP. They will also provide assessments of need and input into the annual review of the EHCP’s.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. Weighting 100.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2.14) Additional information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 12 midnight on 15/4/2026 via email to BSDProcurement@westsussex.gov.uk
This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Decision maker: WSCC Procurement Board

No conflicts of interest were declared.

The existing supplier provides a satisfactory service in line with the specification which is checked regularly in accordance with West Sussex County Council’s Contract Management framework. They have a proven track record, and they are highly likely to be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard.
A statement explaining the award decision-makers’ reasons for selecting the chosen provider, with reference to the key criteria, is included below.

The decision to utilise Direct Award Process C has been taken following assessment of the provider against the key criteria outlined in the regulations. A summary of the findings is provided below.

1. Quality and Innovation
   The provider is delivering a good quality service and their CQC rating is Good across all areas. All Speech and Language Therapists have current registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council HCPC, Safeguarding/DBS policies and processes are up to date and in line with standards outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children and all staff must complete and comply with the Council for Disabled Children’s SEND Training Assurance Framework.
   The SaLT Service is responsive to the changing environment for child and their families. The service is currently engaged in a range of projects to develop digital resources for families. The service has embraced new pathways into the profession by taking on 2 apprentices. The service has strong links with local universities providing SLT courses and regularly provides SLT student placements.

2. Value

Extensive analysis of the offer has been carried out by Finance to ensure that the implied hourly rate is in line with or less than rates charged by independent Therapists. Staffing levels and other deliverables will be constantly monitored with quarterly reviews.
Value for money: Current contract commenced in 2014 and received no further uplift until 2024. As a service, speech and language service has been subject to annual cost improvement plans in order to identify areas for greater efficiency to remain within the budgeted allocation of funding.

1. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability
   The provider’s Special School Team meet regularly with Head Teachers regarding the needs of their school community. They join parents’ meetings and coffee mornings to give parents and carers opportunities to find out more about the service.
   The service is committed to seeking out and listening to the voice of the child and parenting in shaping services.
   The SaLT team jointly with schools, developed a Standard Operating Procedure and shared via schools with families.
   The provider has demonstrated a commitment to managing and overcoming challenges around sustainability e.g. recovery of service post pandemic; management of workforce challenges.

2. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice
   The service is targeted towards specific CYP. The provider’s Digital Inclusion Policy
   ensures that digital technologies used in the provider’s clinical and corporate
   services promote inclusion and do not unintentionally exclude staff or patients. By
   aligning digital tools with health equity goals, the provider aims to reduce health
   inequalities and support equitable access to care.

3. Social value
   Policies and strategies show targets around social value and Net Carbon Zero (NCZ) commitments that are aligned to national NHS targets.
   The provider has a clear Peoples Strategy 2023-26. The strategy outlines core targets that have social value embedded in their goals.
   The provider’s Green Plan has a detailed action plan over eight elements, one of which includes ensuring the transport and travel that links the care and the communities is low cost, low carbon and conducive to good health and wellbeing.
   The provider has a growing volunteer programme and building this is a target outlined in the service plan for next 12 months.

Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

• The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations Explanation:

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

Section five. Award of contract

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

25 July 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 1

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

SUSSEX COMMUNITY NHS TRUST

SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES | WAKEFIELD

BRIGHTON

WF3 1WE

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

• UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)

National registration number

UK10345349

Internet address

https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £4,146,000

Lowest offer: £4,146,000 / Highest offer: £4,146,000 taken into consideration

Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Cabinet Office - Public Procurement Review Service

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office