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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Market engagement for Specialist Speech and Language Therapy (AAC) for school age children

West Northamptonshire Council · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 8 Oct 2026, 15:16.

Opportunity overview

Fairfields School (Northampton) has been awarded the commission to deliver the local High-Tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) service for children across Northamptonshire. As part of our service development, we are inviting independent Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy organisations with specialist AAC expertise to join an online market engagement event. We are seeking specialist Speech and Language Therapy support to work alongside our multidisciplinary team in delivering the local High-Tech AAC service. The initial requirement is anticipated to be: • 2 days per week • 40 weeks per year (term time only) • Potential for extension subject to service demand and contract continuation We are interested in engaging with providers who can demonstrate: • Qualification as a Speech and Language Therapist with specialist AAC knowledge and experience (Band 6 or above equivalent) • Experience undertaking comprehensive assessments and recommending appropriate communication pathways, devices and software solutions • The ability to produce clear assessment reports and evidence-based recommendations • Experience of working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across education, health and social care • Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload • Knowledge and application of Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs) to evidence impact • Experience delivering training and support to professionals, families and carers • The ability to contribute to robust reports that demonstrate outcomes and impact through data and evidence • A person-centred approach that actively involves children, young people and families in communication planning and goal setting • The ability to motivate, engage and support young people throughout their communication journey Essential Requirements • Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration • Membership of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)

Classification

  • CPV80340000 — Special education services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-0783d0
Main Procurement Category
services
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Dec 2026, 00:00
Ends
1 Dec 2027, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
80340000
Description
Special education services

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
As part of our service development, we are inviting independent Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy organisations with specialist AAC expertise to join an online market engagement event. This session is an opportunity to learn more about the service, understand the requirements of the role, and explore potential opportunities to support the delivery of a high-quality AAC provision for children and young people across Northamptonshire. We would particularly welcome expressions of interest from: • Independent Speech and Language Therapists • Speech and Language Therapy companies and organisations • Professionals with specialist knowledge and experience in Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) • Therapists passionate about supporting children and young people with complex communication needs The purpose of the session is to: • Provide an overview of the Northamptonshire High-Tech AAC service • Outline the specialist support requirements • Discuss service delivery expectations • Understand market capacity and capability • Allow potential providers to ask questions and explore future opportunities Date: Tuesday 20th October 2026 Time: 4-5pm Platform: Microsoft Teams https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3280658678697594?p=jeG9qfKpMqlhPF90Y3 To register your expression of interest in attending, please email: educationcommissioning@westnorthants.gov.uk
Due
30 Oct 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
095238-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
8 Oct 2026, 14:03
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
West Northamptonshire Council
Id
GB-PPON-PGDV-8944-CMBP

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PGDV-8944-CMBP

Address

Street Address
Angel Street
Locality
Northampton
Postal Code
NN1 1ED
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKF24

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Northampton · UKF24 · NN1 1ED · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 095238-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·

PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS

ProcuraAxis Analysis

Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.

ANALYSIS PREVIEW

Opportunity intelligence at a glance

Early-stage market engagement for specialist Speech and Language Therapy support for Northamptonshire’s High-Tech Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) service for school-age children. Fairfields School is seeking input from independent therapists and organisations ahead of any future procurement.

Who this may suit

Best suited to HCPC-registered Speech and Language Therapists or organisations with specialist AAC capability, Band 6-or-above equivalent experience, assessment and reporting skills, and multidisciplinary education, health and social-care experience.

Key points identified

  • Professional capabilityQualified Speech and Language Therapist with specialist AAC knowledge and experience, at Band 6 or above equivalent.Evidence: Qualification as a Speech and Language Therapist with specialist AAC knowledge and experience (Band 6 or above equivalent)
  • Assessment capabilityUndertake comprehensive assessments and recommend communication pathways, devices and software solutions.Evidence: Experience undertaking comprehensive assessments and recommending appropriate communication pathways, devices and software solutions
  • ReportingProduce clear assessment reports and evidence-based recommendations.Evidence: The ability to produce clear assessment reports and evidence-based recommendations
96% approved-analysis confidence13 supplier criteria identified4 risks or unknowns

SOURCE AND FRESHNESS

Traceable procurement data

Source
Find a Tender
Notice reference
095238-2026
OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0783d0
First published
8 Oct 2026
Last checked
8 Oct 2026, 15:16
Notice versions reviewed
1

HOW THIS WAS PREPARED

Approved, evidence-bound analysis

ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.

Analysis status
Approved for publication
Analysed
8 Oct 2026
Read the analysis methodology →