URL: https://democracy.croydon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2574

Decision Maker: Corporate Director of Children, Young People & Education

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: This report outlines the outcome of a competitive tender process and recommends the award of contracts to the successful bidder(s) for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services in mainstream schools across Croydon.   Subject to approval, the new contract(s) will commence on 3rd October 2025.  

Content: This report outlines the outcome of a competitive tender process and recommends the award of contracts to the successful bidder(s) for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) services in mainstream schools across Croydon.   Subject to approval, the new contract(s) will commence on 3rd October 2025.   The Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Families is recommended to:    1.1.        Approve the award of contracts for the delivery of Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) for schools for a period of three years with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years (3+1+1) at a maximum value, and to the two providers, stated in the part B report    1.2.        Note that the procurement was divided into three lots: Lot 1 North; Lot 2 Central and Lot 3 South; these correspond to Croydon’s SEND clusters.      Following completion of the Council’s tender for Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) services for schools, this report recommends awarding contracts to the successful providers. This will ensure that children and young people in mainstream schools with statutory entitlements set out in their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) continue to receive timely and appropriate speech and language therapy support.   The Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015 place clear duties on local authorities, schools, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and commissioned providers to work together to secure high-quality services that meet the needs of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).   The Council and the ICB have agreed to adopt an aligned commissioning model for paediatric therapies. Under this model, the Council commissions SLT services for children and young people with EHCPs in mainstream schools, while the ICB commissions community-based SLT and OT services, as well as SLT provision in special schools and Enhanced Learning Provisions (ELPs).   The Council has undertaken a full competitive tender process, and the proposed contracts will be solely funded by the Council. A contract term of up to five years, subject to annual performance review, will provide the successful providers with the stability needed to invest in a sustainable workforce and service infrastructure. This will ensure that high-quality statutory services are maintained and continuously improved. Option 1: Do nothing The Council could take no action and allow the existing contract to lapse without replacement.  This is not recommended, as it would result in the immediate cessation of speech and language therapy services, placing the Council in breach of its statutory duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.   Vulnerable children and families would be left without the necessary support, and any short-term solutions such as spot purchasing would likely prove more costly and administratively inefficient.  Option 2: Award Contract This is the recommended option due to the following:  The award of the new contract is the outcome of a fair, transparent, and competitive procurement process.   This option secures the most advantageous offer in line with procurement regulations and Council policy, guarantees continuity of statutory provision, and ensures that children and young people continue to receive the support they need. Option 3: Retender the Contract This is not recommended due to:  A repeat procurement at this stage would cause unnecessary delay, increase the risk of challenge, create uncertainty for families and schools, and is unlikely to yield a different outcome given the capped pricing for the five-year term.  Repeating the process would also further jeopardise the planned timeline for implementation.     None

Date of Decision: September 24, 2025