SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution Service (MDRS)

Buyer

Cheshire East Council

Estimated value

£440k

Location

North West

Deadline

20 November 2026

Published

26 October 2026

Category

Special education services

Trade

Training and education

Suitable for SMEs

Not flagged

View the official notice on Find a Tender

In plain English

Cheshire East Council seeks a provider for Special Educational Needs mediation and disagreement resolution services, specifically regarding education, health, and care plans. No special requirements are stated.

Description from the notice

The MDRS contract is specifically linked to decisions about education, health, and care needs assessments and education, health, and care plans (EHCP), while disagreement resolution services can be used to try to resolve other issues in relation to your child's special educational needs (SEN). The Children and Families Act 2014 and the related Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0-25 years (SEND code of practice) (DfE, 2015) place an emphasis on the avoidance of disagreements through a person-centred approach to decision-making and open communication between professionals and parents and young people. It is an alternative to a Tribunal hearing and is much quicker and less formal. Mediation enables people to communicate better with each other, and it can help re-build relationships that have broken down. Parents and young people need to consider mediation before they can register an appeal with the first-tier tribunal (special educational needs and disability). Parents and young people will also be able to go to mediation about the health and social care elements of an education, health, and care (EHC) plan.