Short Breaks for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

The London Borough of Harrow has completed the procurement process for their "Short Breaks for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities" project under the open procedure. This initiative, forming a part of the "Light Touch Regime," aims to provide enriching activities for children and young people in the Harrow area to support their development and provide respite for their carers. Key dates include the contract start on 1st September 2025, running until 31st August 2030, with the potential for a three-year extension to 31st August 2033.

The awards for this service, spanning multiple lots, were finalised on 11th August 2025, with a total gross value of GBP 12,220,800 across all lots. This procurement offers diverse opportunities for businesses involved in delivering social and healthcare services. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-positioned to engage within this framework, which emphasises local provider engagement.

Businesses capable of providing creative and varied activity programmes for children with special needs can thrive. The open framework allows for both new and current providers to offer their services throughout the contract duration. This initiative supports innovation in tendering processes and allows for direct award options based on user choice, promoting meaningful competition beneficial for community-centric service providers.