SEND Mediation Contract Awarded to Multiple Councils
Summary
The UK Government has awarded a contract valued at £1.2M for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Mediation and Disagreement Resolution services to Rochdale Borough Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, and Trafford Council. This award is part of the UK's public procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023.
What changed
This notice announces the award of a contract for SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution services, totaling £1.2 million, to four councils: Rochdale Borough Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, and Trafford Council. The service aims to enable local authorities to fulfill their statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and associated guidance.
This award signifies a new service provision for these councils, impacting their operational capacity to handle disagreements related to SEND. The contract is set to commence on April 2, 2026, with an initial term until March 31, 2029, and includes an option for a two-year extension. While this is a contract award notice and not a rule creating new obligations for external entities, it highlights government spending and service provision in the SEND sector.
Source document (simplified)
Award
SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution
- Rochdale Borough Council
- Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
- Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
- Trafford Council UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-026515
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-060824 (view related notices)
Published 23 March 2026, 6:38pm
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Contents
Scope Contract 1 Information about tenders Procedure Supplier Contracting authorities (4)
- Rochdale Borough Council
- Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
- Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
- Trafford Council
Other organisation Contact organisation
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Description
The aim of the service is to provide a disagreement resolution and mediation service to enable the local authority to fulfill its statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014 and meet the requirements of associated guidance.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,200,000 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
23 March 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
23 March 2026
Earliest date the contract will be signed
2 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 4 years, 11 months, 29 days Description of possible extension:
The contract can be extended for a further 24 months (on an annual basis).
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Social services
Contract locations
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
Information about tenders
- 7 tenders received
- 7 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 5 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 6 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Why Mediate Limited (trading as Mediatelegal)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXDC-1269-PQCL Enterprise House, The Courtyard
Wirral
CH62 4UE
United Kingdom
Email: help@mediatelegal.co.uk
Region: UKD74 - Wirral
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authorities
Rochdale Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXXD-6682-MDRX Number One Riverside
Rochdale
OL16 1XU
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk
Region: UKD37 - Greater Manchester North East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZGW-7196-LCHL Stopford House, Piccadilly
Stockport
SK1 3XE
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk
Region: UKD35 - Greater Manchester South East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWB-2493-LWTQ Tameside One
Ashton under Lyne
OL6 0GS
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk
Region: UKD35 - Greater Manchester South East
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Trafford Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGZW-1429-QQZQ Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road
Manchester
M32 0TH
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk
Region: UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
Star Procurement
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Support
- Companies House: Star Procurement
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMJL-3178-QZJH Waterside House
Sale
M33 7ZF
United Kingdom
Email: Procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk
Region: UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
Contact organisation
Contact Star Procurement for any enquiries.
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