Impartial Support Advice and Information on Disability Service for Children and Young People

London Borough of Ealing wishes to tender for a contract for the provision of Impartial Support Advice and Information on Disability (ISAID).

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to a provide parent partnership services for their community for children and young people aged 0-25 as laid out in the SEND Reforms and Children’s and Families Act 2014. Parent Partnership Services are required to be independent and provide impartial advice and information on all aspects of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP).

The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice, 0 to 25 years (April 2015) sets out the minimum standards for this statutory service:

a The provision of impartial advice, information and support to all parents/carers of children with SEND

and/or disability.

b. Information and advice must be free, accurate, and confidential and in formats which are accessible

and responsive to the needs of users.

c To work with the Parent Carer Forum and other user groups to ensure that parents/carers and young

people’s views are heard, understood and inform and influence the development of local SEND policy,

practice and decision making.

d Children are consulted and their views are taken into account in decision making

e To work with schools, the Local Authority (LA), Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and

commissioning officers and others to help them develop positive relationships with parents/carers and young people.

Ealing currently spends approximately £153,000 per annum on the Impartial Support Advice and Information on Disability (ISAID) services for children and young people.

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Subject to governance the current contract will end on 31st December 2023 and it is envisaged that over Winter 2022/23 Ealing will begin the procurement of a contract for five (5) years, to commence on 1st January 2024, with the possibility of extension in any increment up to two (2) years. Seven (7) years in total at a value of £1,071,000 if all extensions used.