Integrated Mediation and Disagreement Resolution For Young People and Parents and Carers of Children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

Norfolk County council is looking to award a contract for the provision of SEND Mediation and Disagreement Resolution. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires Mediation and Disagreement Resolution (MDR) services to be put in place by Local Authorities and health commissioners. Disagreement Resolution and Mediation is a voluntary, private and confidential process. The aim is to bring people together in a facilitated way to find solutions to their disagreements. It can save time and pressure for all involved and it can help re-build relationships that have broken down. Early resolution of disagreements benefits children, young people, parents, carers, institutions, and professionals' party to the disagreement. •Mediation focuses on elements of an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in education, social care, or health. It is used at various stages of the process and is specifically linked to decisions about EHCP needs assessments and plans. •Disagreement Resolution focuses on any element of SEND provision, not just those who are being assessed for (or have) an EHCP. All those who bids were assessed have been issued with assessment summaries as per the Procurement Act 2023 section 50(3). These were issued on 24 June 2025.