The Local Authorities in the North West are developing a contract to be able to source SEND school placements (called a ‘Flexible Purchasing System’) for children and young people up to the age of 25 that have an education, health and care plan.
The Flexible Purchasing System will support placement finding for the following types of schools:
- Independent and non-maintained special schools
- Special Post-16 Institutions
The aim is to establish a regional SEND FPS which will provide consistent quality standards, streamline processes, improve communication and encourage innovation.
Specialist Post-16 Institutions were not included in the first round (Phase 1) and the lots for this type of provision are still being developed.
Three types of school placements will be included in the purchasing system to start with: -
- Day placements,
- 38-week residential placements,
- 52-week residential placements.
Extra services (lots) can be added to the purchasing system in the future to enable innovation. This would be based on feedback on need and demand from commissioners, parents, and providers.