Provision of 'Experts at Hand' Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language and Occupational Therapy Support - Market Engagement

Description

Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) is seeking to engage with the provider market to inform the commissioning approach for Educational Psychologists (EPs), Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), as part of the 'Experts at Hand' programme of SEND reform. "Experts at Hand" is a Department for Education (DfE) initiative launching in September 2026 to bring health and education specialists directly into mainstream education and early years settings. It is intended to provide support for mainstream schools to identify children's needs earlier and provide timely, time-limited support to develop inclusive practice. This market engagement exercise forms an important step in shaping the future delivery model for 'Experts at Hand' within Milton Keynes. We are keen to hear from providers on the questions published contained within the market engagement document on our e-tendering portal In-Tend . Please respond to the questions latest by 5pm on the 31st August via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home Lot 1: Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) is seeking to engage with the provider market to inform the commissioning approach for Educational Psychologists (EPs), Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Occupational Therapy (OT), as part of the 'Experts at Hand' programme of SEND reform. "Experts at Hand" is a Department for Education (DfE) initiative launching in September 2026 to bring health and education specialists directly into mainstream education and early years settings. It is intended to provide support for mainstream schools to identify children's needs earlier and provide timely, time-limited support to develop inclusive practice. This market engagement exercise forms an important step in shaping the future delivery model for 'Experts at Hand' within Milton Keynes. We are keen to hear from providers on the questions published contained within the market engagement document on our e-tendering portal In-Tend . Please respond to the questions latest by 5pm on the 31st August via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Prior Information Notice for Market Engagement. 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 or the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this procurement.