Sight Testing and Dispensing of Spectacles to Children and Young People in Special Educational Settings across the South East

Description

The South East Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are seeking suitably qualified Providers to deliver at-scale sight testing and dispensing of spectacles services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Special Educational Settings (SES) across the region. This procurement covers five lots aligned to the current six and future four ICB structures, ensuring continuity through planned mergers and boundary changes: Lot 1: Thames Valley - Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East Lot 2: Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including North East Hampshire Lot 3: Kent and Medway Lot 4: Surrey, including Surrey Heath and Farnham Lot 5: Sussex Please note: This procurement begins with six Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the South East. From 1 April 2026, these will reduce to four ICBs: • NHS Thames Valley ICB - bringing together Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East (formerly BOB ICB and part of Frimley ICB) • Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB will expand to include North East Hampshire • Kent and Medway ICB remains unchanged • Surrey and Sussex ICB - bringing together Sussex and Surrey including Surrey Heath and Farnham These changes are designed to improve integration, reduce health inequalities, and align services with local government boundaries to deliver better, more sustainable care. Children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities face significant barriers to accessing routine eye care. Evidence from the 2021 NHS England Proof of Concept (POC) programme showed that delivering sight tests and dispensing services directly within Special Educational Settings (SES) is both effective and impactful. This service aims to ensure that eligible children and young people in SES across the South East are offered an annual sight test, unless clinically inappropriate. The goal is to reduce health inequalities, improve educational outcomes, and support better quality of life through timely identification and management of vision needs. For further information please see the service specification and the engagement report published on the NHS England website. • Service specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/cyp-send-oral-and-sight-testing-service-specifications/ • Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-children-and-young-people-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ The contracts will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (1 x 24 months). Services are due to commence in 2026. The maximum total contract values for the initial 5 years (excluding optional 2 year extension) for each lot are as follows: Lot 1: £2,355,000 Lot 2: £2,180,000 Lot 3: £3,265,000 Lot 4: £1,625,000 Lot 5: £1,980,000 The maximum total contract values, including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years) for each lot are as follows: Lot 1: £3,297,000 Lot 2: £3,052,000 Lot 3: £4,571,000 Lot 4: £2,275,000 Lot 5: £2,772,000 The General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Setting (SES) will apply. Contracts may be amended during the term to reflect co-commissioning, mandated directives, or service changes with associated funding. The Commissioners are of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 6th February 2026, at the latest. Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. Lot 1: Thames Valley - Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East 1) The clustered commissioners, NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West ICB and NHS Frimley ICB (scheduled to form NHS Thames Valley ICB on 1 April 2026) are seeking to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Thames Valley region (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and Berkshire East). The appointed Provider will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, equitable service that includes: • Securing opt-in parental/carer consent prior to service delivery • Conducting sight tests to high-street equivalent standards using appropriate specialist equipment, delivered by SEND trained specialist teams of eye care professionals • Providing on-site dispensing at SES locations and issuing NHS vouchers for use at high-street opticians • Engaging with school staff and producing comprehensive eye health outcome reports to support improved educational and health outcomes for this vulnerable cohort 2) The contract duration is for an initial period of 60 months (5 years), with services currently anticipated to commence in 2026. The contract includes an option to extend the term for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension). 3) The Commissioner will continue the initial engagement of identified SES to secure sign-up for the service. Upon contract award, the Contractor will assume full responsibility for engaging and onboarding remaining eligible SES to ensure equitable service delivery within the Lot. 4) The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. 5) Bidders are required to review the following mandatory documents which form the basis of the contract and contextual guidance: • Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CYP-SEND-sight-testing-service-specification.pdf • GOS Model Contracts and contract variations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/model-contracts-and-contract-variations-general-ophthalmic-services/ • NHS England Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-cyp-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ 6) Total contract value for this Lot including the optional 2 year extension £3,297,000 Lot 2: Hampshire and Isle of Wight, including North East Hampshire 1) NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB are seeking to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area including North East Hampshire. The appointed Provider will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, equitable service that includes: • Securing opt-in parental/carer consent prior to service delivery • Conducting sight tests to high-street equivalent standards using appropriate specialist equipment, delivered by SEND trained specialist teams of eye care professionals • Providing on-site dispensing at SES locations and issuing NHS vouchers for use at high-street opticians • Engaging with school staff and producing comprehensive eye health outcome reports to support improved educational and health outcomes for this vulnerable cohort 2) The contract duration is for an initial period of 60 months (5 years), with services currently anticipated to commence in 2026. The contract includes an option to extend the term for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension). 3) The Commissioner will continue the initial engagement of identified SES to secure sign-up for the service. Upon contract award, the Contractor will assume full responsibility for engaging and onboarding remaining eligible SES to ensure equitable service delivery within the Lot. 4) The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. 5) Bidders are required to review the following mandatory documents which form the basis of the contract and contextual guidance: • Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CYP-SEND-sight-testing-service-specification.pdf • GOS Model Contracts and contract variations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/model-contracts-and-contract-variations-general-ophthalmic-services/ • NHS England Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-cyp-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ 6) Total contract value for this Lot including the optional 2 year extension £3,052,000 Lot 3: Kent and Medway 1) NHS Kent and Medway ICB are seeking to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Kent and Medway area. The appointed Provider will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, equitable service that includes: • Securing opt-in parental/carer consent prior to service delivery • Conducting sight tests to high-street equivalent standards using appropriate specialist equipment, delivered by SEND trained specialist teams of eye care professionals • Providing on-site dispensing at SES locations and issuing NHS vouchers for use at high-street opticians • Engaging with school staff and producing comprehensive eye health outcome reports to support improved educational and health outcomes for this vulnerable cohort 2) The contract duration is for an initial period of 60 months (5 years), with services currently anticipated to commence in 2026. The contract includes an option to extend the term for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension). 3) The Commissioner will continue the initial engagement of identified SES to secure sign-up for the service. Upon contract award, the Contractor will assume full responsibility for engaging and onboarding remaining eligible SES to ensure equitable service delivery within the Lot. 4) The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. 5) Bidders are required to review the following mandatory documents which form the basis of the contract and contextual guidance: • Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CYP-SEND-sight-testing-service-specification.pdf • GOS Model Contracts and contract variations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/model-contracts-and-contract-variations-general-ophthalmic-services/ • NHS England Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-cyp-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ 6) Total contract value for this Lot including the optional 2 year extension £4,571,000 Lot 4: Surrey, including Surrey Heath and Farnham 1) NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB (scheduled to form the new NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB on 1 April 2026 along with Sussex ICB) are seeking to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across Surrey, including the Surrey Heath and Farnham areas. The appointed Provider will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, equitable service that includes: • Securing opt-in parental/carer consent prior to service delivery • Conducting sight tests to high-street equivalent standards using appropriate specialist equipment, delivered by SEND trained specialist teams of eye care professionals • Providing on-site dispensing at SES locations and issuing NHS vouchers for use at high-street opticians • Engaging with school staff and producing comprehensive eye health outcome reports to support improved educational and health outcomes for this vulnerable cohort 2) The contract duration is for an initial period of 60 months (5 years), with services currently anticipated to commence in 2026. The contract includes an option to extend the term for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension). 3) The Commissioner will continue the initial engagement of identified SES to secure sign-up for the service. Upon contract award, the Contractor will assume full responsibility for engaging and onboarding remaining eligible SES to ensure equitable service delivery within the Lot. 4) The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. 5) Bidders are required to review the following mandatory documents which form the basis of the contract and contextual guidance: • Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CYP-SEND-sight-testing-service-specification.pdf • GOS Model Contracts and contract variations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/model-contracts-and-contract-variations-general-ophthalmic-services/ • NHS England Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-cyp-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ 6) Total contract value for this Lot including the optional 2 year extension £2,275,000 Lot 5: Sussex 1) NHS Sussex ICB (scheduled to form the new NHS Surrey and Sussex ICB on 1 April 2026 along with Surrey Heartlands ICB) are seeking to appoint a Prime Provider with the capability and capacity to deliver a continuous, integrated General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in designated Special Educational Settings (SES) across the Sussex area. The appointed Provider will be responsible for delivering a high-quality, equitable service that includes: • Securing opt-in parental/carer consent prior to service delivery • Conducting sight tests to high-street equivalent standards using appropriate specialist equipment, delivered by SEND trained specialist teams of eye care professionals • Providing on-site dispensing at SES locations and issuing NHS vouchers for use at high-street opticians • Engaging with school staff and producing comprehensive eye health outcome reports to support improved educational and health outcomes for this vulnerable cohort 2) The contract duration is for an initial period of 60 months (5 years), with services currently anticipated to commence in 2026. The contract includes an option to extend the term for a further 24 months (1 x 24 month extension). 3) The Commissioner will continue the initial engagement of identified SES to secure sign-up for the service. Upon contract award, the Contractor will assume full responsibility for engaging and onboarding remaining eligible SES to ensure equitable service delivery within the Lot. 4) The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. 5) Bidders are required to review the following mandatory documents which form the basis of the contract and contextual guidance: • Service Specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CYP-SEND-sight-testing-service-specification.pdf • GOS Model Contracts and contract variations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/model-contracts-and-contract-variations-general-ophthalmic-services/ • NHS England Engagement report: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/engagement-report-for-sight-testing-and-dispensing-of-spectacles-to-send-cyp-in-a-special-educational-setting-across-england/ 6) Total contract value for this Lot including the optional 2 year extension £2,772,000