Sight testing and dispensing of spectacles to CYP with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Special Educational Settings in the West Midlands (6 Lots)

Description

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver Sight testing and dispensing of spectacles to Children and Young People (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Special Educational Settings (SES) within the West Midlands on on behalf of Six (6) Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across the West Midlands region as listed in section I.1 (who are referred to as the Commissioner(s).<br/><br/>Details of the 6 lots and respective Integrated Care System (ICB) and Contracting Authority across the West Midlands are as follows;<br/><br/>Lot 1 - Birmingham and Solihull ICB<br/><br/>Lot 2 - Black Country ICB<br/><br/>Lot 3 - Coventry and Warwickshire ICB<br/><br/>Lot 4 - Herefordshire and Worcestershire ICB<br/><br/>Lot 5 - Shropshire ,Telford and Wrekin ICB<br/><br/>Lot 6 - Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB<br/><br/>The NHS Long Term Plan (2019) set out a commitment to provide sight tests for Children and Young People (CYP) with learning disabilities and autism in residential Special Educational Settings (SES). <br/><br/>While the NHS Long Term Plan commitment related specifically to CYP in residential SES, NHS England – in conjunction with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – announced on 19 June 2023 that the Sight Testing Service will be extended to day schools. <br/><br/>This Service shall support the statutory duties placed on health commissioners under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice (0–25 years), including the identification of visual needs contributing to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). <br/><br/>The Commissioner(s) are each looking for Provider(s) to conduct Sight Tests with CYP within SES premises, delivered by a clinical and non-clinical workforce who have been fully trained to work with this cohort of Patients. <br/><br/>The contract duration for each individual lot is for a period of 5 years with the Commissioner having the option to extend the Contract for a period or periods of up to a further 4 years (total maximum contract duration 9 years).<br/><br/>A separate General Ophthalmic Additional Services Model Contract - Special Educational Settings will be established with the preferred provider for each Lot.