Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for Special Schools

The Authority intends to award a contract to an existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Health and Care Act 2022 Provider Selection Regime (PSR).<br/>Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that the communication and interaction outcomes and provision to meet those (as outlined in each Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are fulfilled. The contracted services will continue to provide Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT) services to children and young People in West Sussex County Council maintained Special Schools. The therapy will be accessible to Children and Young People (CYP) with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) attending West Sussex maintained special schools.<br/>At least 3% of all children have Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) linked with other impairments, including those with hearing impairment, autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and specific learning difficulties. In fact, most children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have some degree of SLCN. They all need support to learn and to communicate to the very best of their ability so that they may achieve the best possible outcomes in the context of their individual educational, health and social and emotional needs.<br/>The service provides assessment, advice and/or a range of therapeutic interventions for children with speech, language, communication needs (SLCN) within West Sussex Maintained Special Schools across universal, targeted and specialist tiers of provision.<br/>The service will work directly into the school premises, staff will provide training and support to classroom staff with regard to teaching and learning for children who have speech and language needs and also undertake direct therapeutic interventions with children who have this identified as a need in their EHCP. They will also provide assessments of need and input into the annual review of the EHCP’s. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 12 midnight on 15/4/2026 via email to BSDProcurement@westsussex.gov.uk<br/>This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.<br/><br/>Decision maker: WSCC Procurement Board<br/><br/>No conflicts of interest were declared.<br/><br/>The existing supplier provides a satisfactory service in line with the specification which is checked regularly in accordance with West Sussex County Council’s Contract Management framework. They have a proven track record, and they are highly likely to be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard.<br/>A statement explaining the award decision-makers’ reasons for selecting the chosen provider, with reference to the key criteria, is included below.<br/><br/>The decision to utilise Direct Award Process C has been taken following assessment of the provider against the key criteria outlined in the regulations. A summary of the findings is provided below.<br/><br/>1. Quality and Innovation<br/>The provider is delivering a good quality service and their CQC rating is Good across all areas. All Speech and Language Therapists have current registration with the Health and Care Professionals Council HCPC, Safeguarding/DBS policies and processes are up to date and in line with standards outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children and all staff must complete and comply with the Council for Disabled Children’s SEND Training Assurance Framework. <br/>The SaLT Service is responsive to the changing environment for child and their families. The service is currently engaged in a range of projects to develop digital resources for families. The service has embraced new pathways into the profession by taking on 2 apprentices. The service has strong links with local universities providing SLT courses and regularly provides SLT student placements. <br/><br/>2. Value<br/><br/>Extensive analysis of the offer has been carried out by Finance to ensure that the implied hourly rate is in line with or less than rates charged by independent Therapists. Staffing levels and other deliverables will be constantly monitored with quarterly reviews.<br/>Value for money: Current contract commenced in 2014 and received no further uplift until 2024. As a service, speech and language service has been subject to annual cost improvement plans in order to identify areas for greater efficiency to remain within the budgeted allocation of funding. <br/><br/>3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability<br/>The provider’s Special School Team meet regularly with Head Teachers regarding the needs of their school community. They join parents’ meetings and coffee mornings to give parents and carers opportunities to find out more about the service.<br/>The service is committed to seeking out and listening to the voice of the child and parenting in shaping services. <br/>The SaLT team jointly with schools, developed a Standard Operating Procedure and shared via schools with families.<br/>The provider has demonstrated a commitment to managing and overcoming challenges around sustainability e.g. recovery of service post pandemic; management of workforce challenges.<br/><br/>4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice<br/>The service is targeted towards specific CYP. The provider’s Digital Inclusion Policy<br/>ensures that digital technologies used in the provider’s clinical and corporate <br/>services promote inclusion and do not unintentionally exclude staff or patients. By <br/>aligning digital tools with health equity goals, the provider aims to reduce health <br/>inequalities and support equitable access to care.<br/><br/>5. Social value<br/>Policies and strategies show targets around social value and Net Carbon Zero (NCZ) commitments that are aligned to national NHS targets.<br/>The provider has a clear Peoples Strategy 2023-26. The strategy outlines core targets that have social value embedded in their goals. <br/>The provider’s Green Plan has a detailed action plan over eight elements, one of which includes ensuring the transport and travel that links the care and the communities is low cost, low carbon and conducive to good health and wellbeing. <br/>The provider has a growing volunteer programme and building this is a target outlined in the service plan for next 12 months.