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.

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