BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST - MARKET ENGAGEMENT SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY (SALT) SERVICE

The Birmingham Children's Trust Community Interest Company is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process involving the provision of a Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) service for the Birmingham Youth Justice Service (BYJS). This process is classified under the health and social work services category, aiming to support children aged 10-17 with various communication needs. The Trust, particularly addressing the needs of children with speech, communication and language difficulties, seeks to ensure service provision from April 2026, following the expiry of the current contract in March 2026.

The initial procurement stage involves a market engagement exercise with a due date for feedback submission set for 17th November 2025. The initiative is part of a broader engagement with regions across the UK, including locations such as Birmingham (UKG31) and others within the UK, leveraging a light-touch procurement regime to facilitate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) in participation. This engagement offers significant growth opportunities for businesses, especially those proficient in delivering youth justice services with an emphasis on speech and language therapy.

Companies experienced in these services will find this tender particularly advantageous, as the Trust is seeking providers capable of supplying at least two full-time therapists who are adept in youth justice settings. Businesses specializing in trauma-informed and child-first practices are prime candidates for this opportunity. Given the extensive scope that spans multiple regions, and the expected collaboration with health, education, and criminal justice agencies, this tender could greatly benefit organisations with robust staffing resources and an agile service delivery model that ensures continuity without delay.

This is a proactive engagement that also allows businesses to influence and refine the final procurement approach by providing crucial feedback during the planning stage.