SEND FPS Phase 2

Phase 1 of the FPS went live on the 1 March and included independent and non-maintained special school (INMSS) placements for Learners aged up to 16 who have an education, health and care plan (ECHP).

We had a good response from providers to Phase 1 and are now planning for the launch of Phase 2 of the project which will include placements for Learners aged between 16 and 25 who have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) and require support in General Further Education, Specialist Colleges and work-based providers.

The provision must be able to meet the needs and outcomes described in the Learner’s Education, Health and Care Plan and have a clear focus on preparing for adulthood.

The scope of Phase 2 is currently being developed through consultation with parent carers, providers and local authorities. 

Throughout the development process we will be holding sessions for all stakeholder groups. 

There are no dates currently set for provider events. 

Please contact placementsnorthwest@bolton.gov.uk with any queries.

Can we articulate scope and lot definitions? 
The scope of Phase 2 is yet to be decided. Once the scope has been defined the working group will look at what lots may be required. 

What registration will be required to join the FPS? Some are not Section 41/Ofsted registered – will they be excluded? Could there be a specific lot for these providers?
Phase 1 of the SEND FPS required providers to have Ofsted registration. However no decisions have yet been made on what registration, if any providers will need for phase 2 (Post 16) and this will be explored via the Local Authority working group and be picked up again at the next rounds of provider engagement. 

Some LAs don’t use providers who are not Section 41 / Ofsted registered – how will this be addressed/communicated to providers? Should we check with LAs what their local practice is?
Links to question above….We are not in a position to direct individual LAs but can look at what proportion of LAs have made a firm decision not to use Section 41 / Ofsted registered providers and communicate this to aid providers in deciding whether or not to apply to join the FPS. 

Can we hold more consultation sessions so providers can continue to engage and shape? 
Yes, we will look at further sessions to ensure providers continue to be engaged in shaping the development of Phase 2.  We will update you on this shortly. 

Can Local Offers be articulated more clearly?
If this is directed at local authorities SEND Local Offers then…..although we are not in a position to influence individual LAs we can pass on this request to them. 
Our first round of provider engagement had a real focus on the key ingredients for success, one being a clear and effective template to capture the broad range and flexibility of each provider’s offer. This will be a key theme for our next engagement sessions.

Can we have more details on the process for developing Phase 2 and the timescales?
There is currently no agreed timeline for Phase 2 and we will share this when it is available. We have taken on board providers' preference to not have the opening coincide with the Christmas period. 

How does the FPS fit with existing timescales for consultation on placements? 
The FPS is a tool to provide options to local authorities to present to young people and parent carers when consulting. The timescales and approach taken by individual local authorities remains the same. We understand that sourcing a Post 16 placement for a significant number of high needs students takes place early in the calendar and before March. If at all possible timescales will aim to support local authorities in their placement sourcing from January 2022. 

What is included in the scope of the purchasing system? What can and cannot be done?
The FPS will not resolve some of the systemic issues in SEND Commissioning raised by providers, it is a tool to be used by authorities to find the most suitable placements for young people and to widen the options available to them. However, we have seen that through developing regional purchasing systems for social care that this has initiated and facilitated the sharing of information, gaps in service and good practice between local authorities and further cemented relationships with providers . 

How will the wishes of Parents Carers and young people remain at the centre?
The FPS is a tool to help authorities identify which providers may be able to offer a placement to young people. The SEN Code of Practice and parental choice remains central to this process and Direct Awards may be made via the FPS if required. 

Can parental preference override the requirement to go to all FPS providers?
Yes, Direct Awards can be made if required. 

How will service information be collected – can we consult on the template?
Yes, we will consult on the template used to collect service information. Capturing a setting’s offer effectively is essential in order for choice, flexibility and collaboration to drive the best outcomes for young people. We will collect service information at the point of tender and then providers can update this if required at regular points throughout the life of the FPS. 

Can the FPS offer an opportunity to go out to the market at Year 9 to look at building packages earlier?
This is something that the working group can look at both in the documentation for the FPS and guidance to LAs. 

Can we explain how the information on services is used?
The information on services is used by placing authorities to inform decision making on placements. It may be shared in part with young people and parent carers. Information on services is not currently shared with other providers through existing Flexible Purchasing System’s but we will consult on this as we believe collaboration is an important aspect of the FPS to generate choice and flexibility for young people. 

Will providers have access to each other’s information? If so will this contain sensitive information?
As above information is not shared with other providers, only placing authorities. If it is decided that sharing some information with other providers would support collaboration then it will be made clear to providers what information is and isn’t shared. No sensitive information, eg pricing will be shared. 

How will providers know they are on the FPS? How will they know the information is correct?
Providers will be required to go through a tender process to join the FPS. This will be carried out on a platform called ‘The Chest’ / ‘Proactis’ / ‘ProContract’. Providers will be required to upload information and due diligence will be carried out before providers are successful. There will be set timescales for this and procurement guidance to be followed. Providers who are successful will receive an award letter and a contract to sign. 
 

Will all post 16 referrals now go through the FPS?
No, the use of the SEND FPS will not be appropriate in the majority of cases. Slides from the 15 July Provider event outline the cohorts of young people we anticipate benefiting from the FPS. 

Will provision be required to be registered with the DfE/Ofsted or Scottish or Welsh equivalent to join the SEND FPS?
No we currently anticipate providers of specific service not required to hold a registration being able to join the FPS to form part of blended offers to meet the outcomes and aspirations of young people. We will look at how this will work in practice and what quality assurance can be carried out at the point of tender.