Commissioning Services

Gateshead Council and Gateshead’s Intergrated Care Board (a group of GPs who plan local health services) are required by clause 25 of the Children and Families Bill to make arrangements (‘joint commissioning arrangements’) about the education, health and care provision to be secured for children and young people for whom it is responsible who have Special Educational Needs (SEN).

This must include arrangements for:

  • Securing Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessments;
  • Securing the education, health and care provision specified in EHC Plans; and
  • Agreeing personal budgets.

The above arrangements are described in detail in our Local Offer.

In Gateshead, the arrangements for securing provision (‘joint commissioning’) for children and young people with SEN forms part of our annual commissioning cycle and draws on the needs and priorities identified through:

SEN needs assessment

Early Years SEND Audit

Involving young people, parents and carers

Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP)