Contract for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

Gateshead Borough Council has awarded a contract for the provision of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) to AXIS RECRUITMENT LIMITED. This service, required by the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice, is commissioned jointly with the NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. The procurement process was conducted via an open competition below the threshold, often referred to as a "light touch" regime.

The contract, valued at £400,000, is set to commence on 1st February 2026 and run until 1st February 2028, with possible extensions up to February 2030. The procurement process, from the planning stage on 13th August 2025 to the award and contract signing in December 2025, involved a series of submissions and evaluations leading up to the final award announced on 22nd December 2025, targeting services in the UKC2 region. This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in health and social work services.

Particularly, it suits small and medium enterprises looking to expand their service offerings in the public sector. By involving organisations that can provide quality and socially valuable services to children, young people, and their families navigating educational and health-related processes, this procurement fosters an inclusive business landscape. Companies that can deliver innovative and efficient solutions will benefit from the structured opportunities for renewal, which extend the potential for long-term partnerships with local government bodies.