Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service.

Please confirm whether you already have, or can commit to obtain, prior to the award of the contract, the levels of insurance cover indicated below:

• Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £5 Million
• Public Liability Insurance = £5 Million
• Professional Indemnity Insurance = £2 Million

*It is a legal requirement that certain companies hold Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance of £5 million as a minimum. See the Health and Safety Executive website for more information: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse39.pdf ↗.

Data Protection

Please confirm that you have in place, or that you will have in place by the award of the contract, the human and technical resources to perform the contract to ensure compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and to ensure the protection of the rights of data subjects.

Legislative Requirements

Please confirm that you are able to meet all the Council's policy and legislative requirements and will provide copies of any company policies; procedures or associated documentary evidence if requested to do so

Please confirm that you comply with the following legislation, guidance and practice:

• Children and Families Act (2014) (Part 3, Sections 51 to 57)
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations (2014)
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 Years (2015), particularly Chapter 11: Resolving Disagreements.
• Equality Act (2010)
• Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act (2007)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026)
• Blackpool Borough Council's SEND Strategy and Local Offer
• Professional Standards to Mediators Working with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) - CMC/CoM (2025)

Please confirm that mediators hold appropriate mediation qualifications and are Accredited to the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) and the College of Mediators Professional Standards Framework, or an equivalent recognised professional standard.

All staff are subject to appropriate DBS checks commensurate to their role

The Provider shall comply with the following statutory timescales for SEND mediation services:

• Within 3 working days of the mediation information and advice being given, where the parent or young person decides not to proceed with mediation, the Provider must issue a Mediation Certificate.
• Within 30 calendar days of the parent or young person informing the Mediation Adviser that they wish to pursue mediation, the mediation meeting must be arranged and held, unless all parties agree otherwise.
• Where mediation cannot be arranged within the 30-day period, the Provider must issue a Mediation Certificate to enable the parent or young person to lodge an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (SEND).
• Within 3 working days of the mediation meeting concluding, the Provider must issue a Mediation Certificate where required.

Can provide a range of accessible contact methods, including:

• A direct telephone helpline;
• A 24-hour answering service;
• A dedicated email address for enquiries; and
• Signposting to relevant local and national support.