RFQ for the Provision of SEND Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Halton Borough Council is seeking an appropriately qualified and experienced provider to deliver a Halton SEND Dispute Resolution Service, Mediation Advice and a Mediation Service to enable Halton Borough Council and Warrington and Halton Clinical Commissioning Group to fulfil statutory duties under the Children & Families Act 2014.

The Service will be required to be delivered on behalf of Halton Borough Council, as well as in relation to Health matters on behalf of Warrington and Halton Clinical Commissioning Group.

Mediation arrangements are linked specifically to either matters, which can be appealed to the Tribunal and/or the health and social care elements of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and Dispute Resolution is in place to help resolve disagreements about any aspect of SEND provision.

Mediation and Dispute Resolution aims to improve communication and understanding by bringing parties together to help find an early solution and is managed by an independent mediator who has knowledge of SEND and the law.