This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of an opportunity to deliver Optometry services in Special Education Settings (SES) within the South West region, covering Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (IOS), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and Gloucestershire Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Please note that ICBs are developing into 'clusters' ahead of statutory mergers taking formal effect, likely from April 2027. The cluster arrangements in development include: • Devon and Cornwall (IOS) • BNSSG and Gloucestershire. These changes will not have any material impact on the commissioning intentions or contract award. At this time, the Commissioner(s) would like to understand the level of provider interest in delivering the services and invites interested parties to express an interest by completing a market engagement questionnaire. Details on how to express interest are provided in the additional information section below. The closing date for expressing interest is 12 noon Friday 25th September. The contract(s) is expected to be for a duration of 3 years plus a possible extension of up to a period of a further 2 years. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of an opportunity to deliver Optometry services in Special Education Settings (SES) within the South West region, covering Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly (IOS), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) and Gloucestershire Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Please note that ICBs are developing into 'clusters' ahead of statutory mergers taking formal effect, likely from April 2027. The cluster arrangements in development include: • Devon and Cornwall (IOS) • BNSSG and Gloucestershire. These changes will not have any material impact on the commissioning intentions or contract award. The Commissioner would like to understand the level of provider interest in delivering these services. The services must be person centred with reasonable adjustments and create a supportive needs-led environment to meet the needs of individual children and young people. The sight testing service will provide in-school sight testing and dispensing to all children and young people in residential and day SES and comprises of: • Annual sight tests, unless a more frequent interval is clinically indicated. • Offering corrective lenses where required. • Manage prompt and appropriate onward referral into appropriate established care pathways if further checks or treatment are required. • Providing access for any parents/carers/guardians to attend the sight test and selection of frames if they wish to do so. • Provide an eye health outcome and vision report. • Working closely with SES staff to ensure the service flexibly aligns with school capacity and schedules. • Engage with: o the SES school staff o parents/carers/guardians o children and young people attending the SES o Commissioners o the local eye health network (where they exist) o local optical committees Further details can be found in the national specification ICB toolkit: CYP SEND sight testing service specification. Please note that the region are reviewing the specification and may tailor the requirements to take into account local needs. The final specification will be published as part of the tender pack at tender stage. The contract(s) is expected to be for a duration of 3 years plus a possible extension of up to a further two years. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.