← Back to opportunities

IA3354 Alternative Provision Light Touch Framework

Staffordshire County Council

Buyer Contact Info

Buyer Name: Staffordshire County Council

Buyer Address: 1 Staffordshire Place, Tipping Street,, Stafford, UKG24, ST16 2DH, United Kingdom

Contact Email: commercial.team@staffordshire.gov.uk

Status
active
Procedure
open
Value
35200000.0 GBP
Gross: 42240000 GBP
Published
17 Nov 2025, 10:42
Deadline
17 Dec 2025, 12:00
Contract Start
n/a
Contract End
n/a
Category
services
CPV
80000000 - Education and training services
Region
n/a
Awarded To
n/a
Official Source
Open Find a Tender

Description

Staffordshire County Council has a commitment to ensure every child has the best start in life and can access a good education, providing them with opportunities to achieve their potential. Although most children and young people attend a school to receive their education, some children and young people are unable to attend for a period of time, or benefit from receiving some, or all, of their education away from their school. This may be on a short, or long-term basis. This is termed Alternative Provision (AP). Staffordshire County Council currently procure AP via the Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Opportunities to Improve Attainment and Engage Vulnerable Children and Young People in Education (ref IA1256) which is due to end on 31/08/26. The Alternative Provision Light Touch Framework (ref IA3354) will replace the DPS from 01/09/26. The purpose of the Framework will be to deliver AP to children and young people of compulsory school age who are not currently able to attend a school place. The Framework will include 5 Lots: Lot 1: Full-Time Alternative Provision Lot 2: Part-Time Alternative Provision Lot 3: Tutoring Lot 4: Complementary Provision Lot 5: Bespoke Provision for higher level SEND and other complex needs Interested Suppliers should register on the Council's e-tendering system https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login and register interest in the tender on Proactis to access the tender documents. Suppliers participating in procurements are now also required to register on the Governments Central Digital Platform prior to submitting a tender response so interested suppliers should also register and complete their company details on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html Also for information in December 2024 the Government issued a White Paper on Local Government Re-Organisation entitled the "English Devolution White Paper". In March 2025 Staffordshire County Council submitted their suggested re-organisation plan to the Government and are awaiting a response. Final proposals will be submitted in November 2025 and implementation of the changes is expected by Government to be by 2028 at the earliest. Whilst the expected impact of most changes to Local Government will be settled at Government Level, please be aware that it may be government policy or expedient that any affected party will be recommended to agree bi-lateral or multi-lateral changes to their contractual arrangements. Updates on proposals and changes can be found on the Staffordshire County Council Website and at other media outlets.

Linked Documents

Select a document to preview.

Opportunity Context

More Information Links

External Link: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074296-2025

Link Description: Tender notice on Find a Tender

Lots

Lot Title: Full-Time Alternative Provision

Lot Description: Education provision offered to a child or young person for eighteen (18) hours a week or more. Provision must be suitable to the child or young person's age, ability, and aptitude, as well as meet any SEND/additional needs. It should cover the school curriculum, leading to improved attainment and progress including the achievement of accredited qualifications, academic and wider learning outcomes. This provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. Suppliers must be registered as an independent school if providing full-time education to five (5) or more children/young people of statutory school age or one (1) child or young person who is in care and/or has an EHCP. The provision must be delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Lot 1 Status: active

Lot 1 Value: GBP 7,040,000

Lot 1 Value (Gross): GBP 8,448,000

Lot 1 Contract Start: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00

Lot 1 Contract End: 2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 1 SME Suitable: Yes

Lot 1 Award Criterion (quality): Quality (60%)

Lot 1 Award Criterion (price): Price (40%)

Lot Title: Part-Time Alternative Provision

Lot Description: Educational provision that is delivered outside of the school setting to enhance the school curriculum and/or a vocational placement. Provision must be suitable to the child or young person's age, ability and aptitude, and any SEND needs and lead to improved attainment and progress including the achievement of accredited qualifications, academic and wider learning outcomes, and/or vocational skills development. Children and young people will remain registered at their current school. Part time hours are flexible to meet the needs of the child or young person, i.e. half or full day once or twice a week. This provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. The Supplier must have a building base to deliver these Services.

Lot 2 Status: active

Lot 2 Value: GBP 7,040,000

Lot 2 Value (Gross): GBP 8,448,000

Lot 2 Contract Start: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00

Lot 2 Contract End: 2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 2 SME Suitable: Yes

Lot 2 Award Criterion (quality): Quality (60%)

Lot 2 Award Criterion (price): Price (40%)

Lot Title: Tutoring

Lot Description: Tutoring provision delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status outside of the school setting to support the school curriculum and/or the specific needs of a child or young person. Programmes will be bespoke to meet a child or young person's educational needs, age, ability, aptitude, and any SEND needs and could be to support individuals or a small group. This provision may be delivered in the family home or a community setting.

Lot 3 Status: active

Lot 3 Value: GBP 7,040,000

Lot 3 Value (Gross): GBP 8,448,000

Lot 3 Contract Start: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00

Lot 3 Contract End: 2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 3 SME Suitable: Yes

Lot 3 Award Criterion (quality): Quality (60%)

Lot 3 Award Criterion (price): Price (40%)

Lot Title: Complementary Provision

Lot Description: Bespoke and personalised programmes of proactive support, mentoring and/or coaching, which will be offered to children and young people to enhance their learning experience and engagement. This could include physical activities or therapeutic interventions, aiming to support or improve behaviour, attendance, re-engagement with learning and the re-integration of children and young people into mainstream schools. This provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. The hours will vary depending on the intervention. Children/young people may receive this provision alongside other provision such as tutoring.

Lot 4 Status: active

Lot 4 Value: GBP 7,040,000

Lot 4 Value (Gross): GBP 8,448,000

Lot 4 Contract Start: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00

Lot 4 Contract End: 2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 4 SME Suitable: Yes

Lot 4 Award Criterion (quality): Quality (60%)

Lot 4 Award Criterion (price): Price (40%)

Lot Title: Bespoke Provision for higher level SEND and other complex needs

Lot Description: The purpose of this lot will be to deliver educational provision for children and young people with SEND working below level 1 of the National Curriculum and working to either The Engagement Model (formally known as P Scales), The Equals Curriculum or other similar programmes. This must be delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status and experience of working in specialist SEND education settings. Teachers will have experience with communication and support tools such as PECS (picture exchange communication), Makaton, visual aids/timelines (replacing team teach), and core board talking tiles. Teachers are expected to liaise with multiple agencies involved in the child or young person's life.

Lot 5 Status: active

Lot 5 Value: GBP 7,040,000

Lot 5 Value (Gross): GBP 8,448,000

Lot 5 Contract Start: 2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00

Lot 5 Contract End: 2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00

Lot 5 SME Suitable: Yes

Lot 5 Award Criterion (quality): Quality (60%)

Lot 5 Award Criterion (price): Price (40%)

Documents

Document Description: Not published

Document Description: Tender notice on Find a Tender

Raw Notice JSON

Expand raw payload
{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PZDG-2995-QQMD",
    "name": "Staffordshire County Council"
  },
  "date": "2025-11-17T10:42:11Z",
  "id": "074296-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0516d9",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "country": "GB",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Stafford",
        "postalCode": "ST16 2DH",
        "region": "UKG24",
        "streetAddress": "1 Staffordshire Place, Tipping Street,"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "commercial.team@staffordshire.gov.uk"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government",
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE"
          }
        ],
        "url": "https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk"
      },
      "id": "GB-PPON-PZDG-2995-QQMD",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PZDG-2995-QQMD",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "name": "Staffordshire County Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-06-08T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "description": "Staffordshire County Council has a commitment to ensure every child has the best start in life and can access a good education, providing them with opportunities to achieve their potential.\nAlthough most children and young people attend a school to receive their education, some children and young people are unable to attend for a period of time, or benefit from receiving some, or all, of their education away from their school. This may be on a short, or long-term basis. This is termed Alternative Provision (AP).\nStaffordshire County Council currently procure AP via the Dynamic Purchasing System for the Provision of Opportunities to Improve Attainment and Engage Vulnerable Children and Young People in Education (ref IA1256) which is due to end on 31/08/26.  \nThe  Alternative Provision Light Touch Framework (ref IA3354) will  replace the DPS from 01/09/26.  The purpose of the Framework will be to deliver AP to children and young people of compulsory school age who are not currently able to attend a school place. The Framework will include 5 Lots:\nLot 1: Full-Time Alternative Provision\nLot 2: Part-Time Alternative Provision\nLot 3: Tutoring\nLot 4: Complementary Provision\nLot 5: Bespoke Provision for higher level SEND and other complex needs\nInterested Suppliers should register on the Council\u0027s e-tendering system https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login \nand register interest in the tender on Proactis to access the tender documents.\nSuppliers participating in procurements are now also required to register on the Governments Central Digital Platform prior to submitting a tender response so interested suppliers should also register and complete their company details on  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html\nAlso for information in December 2024 the Government issued a White Paper on Local Government Re-Organisation entitled the \"English Devolution White Paper\". In March 2025 Staffordshire County Council submitted their suggested re-organisation plan to the Government and are awaiting a response. Final proposals will be submitted in November 2025 and implementation of the changes is expected by Government to be by 2028 at the\nearliest. Whilst the expected impact of most changes to Local Government will be settled at Government Level, please be aware that it may be government policy or expedient that any affected party will be recommended to agree bi-lateral or multi-lateral changes to their contractual arrangements. Updates on proposals and changes can be found on the Staffordshire County Council Website and at other media outlets.",
    "documents": [
      {
        "description": "Not published",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
        "id": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
        "format": "application/pdf",
        "id": "A-7786",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-7786"
      },
      {
        "datePublished": "2025-11-17T10:42:11Z",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "format": "text/html",
        "id": "074296-2025",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074296-2025"
      }
    ],
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-12-10T12:00:00Z"
    },
    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "id": "IA3354",
    "items": [
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Education and training services",
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Health and social work services",
            "id": "85000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UKG24"
          }
        ],
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Education and training services",
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Health and social work services",
            "id": "85000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UKG24"
          }
        ],
        "id": "2",
        "relatedLot": "2"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Education and training services",
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Health and social work services",
            "id": "85000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UKG24"
          }
        ],
        "id": "3",
        "relatedLot": "3"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Education and training services",
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Health and social work services",
            "id": "85000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UKG24"
          }
        ],
        "id": "4",
        "relatedLot": "4"
      },
      {
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "description": "Education and training services",
            "id": "80000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          },
          {
            "description": "Health and social work services",
            "id": "85000000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom",
            "region": "UKG24"
          }
        ],
        "id": "5",
        "relatedLot": "5"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "scheme": "UKPGA",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
    },
    "lotDetails": {
      "awardCriteriaDetails": "Tenderers may apply for one or all Lots, there is no maximum number."
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Quality 60%\nQuality sub criteria:\nPerformance and Quality Assurance - 25%\nSafeguarding - 15%\nLot Specific Question - Children \u0026 Young People\t- 20%",
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "A Price (Hourly rate) is required for each Lot the Supplier is tendering for.",
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 40,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Education provision offered to a child or young person for eighteen (18) hours a week or more. Provision must be suitable to the child or young person\u0027s age, ability, and aptitude, as well as meet any SEND/additional needs. It should cover the school curriculum, leading to improved attainment and progress including the achievement of accredited qualifications, academic and wider learning outcomes.\tThis provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. Suppliers must be registered as an independent school if providing full-time education to five (5) or more children/young people of statutory school age or one (1) child or young person who is in care and/or has an EHCP. The provision must be delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).",
        "id": "1",
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Full-Time Alternative Provision",
        "value": {
          "amount": 7040000,
          "amountGross": 8448000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Quality 60%\nQuality sub criteria:\nPerformance and Quality Assurance - 25%\nSafeguarding - 15%\nLot Specific Question - Children \u0026 Young People\t- 20%",
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "A Price (Hourly rate) is required for each Lot the Supplier is tendering for.",
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 40,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Educational provision that is delivered outside of the school setting to enhance the school curriculum and/or a vocational placement. Provision must be suitable to the child or young person\u0027s age, ability and aptitude, and any SEND needs and lead to improved attainment and progress including the achievement of accredited qualifications, academic and wider learning outcomes, and/or vocational skills development. Children and young people will remain registered at their current school.\nPart time hours are flexible to meet the needs of the child or young person, i.e. half or full day once or twice a week. This provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. The Supplier must have a building base to deliver these Services.",
        "id": "2",
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Part-Time Alternative Provision",
        "value": {
          "amount": 7040000,
          "amountGross": 8448000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Quality 60%\nQuality sub criteria:\nPerformance and Quality Assurance - 25%\nSafeguarding - 15%\nLot Specific Question - Children \u0026 Young People\t- 20%",
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "A Price (Hourly rate) is required for each Lot the Supplier is tendering for.",
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 40,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Tutoring provision delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status outside of the school setting to support the school curriculum and/or the specific needs of a child or young person. \nProgrammes will be bespoke to meet a child or young person\u0027s educational needs, age, ability, aptitude, and any SEND needs and could be to support individuals or a small group. This provision may be delivered in the family home or a community setting.",
        "id": "3",
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Tutoring",
        "value": {
          "amount": 7040000,
          "amountGross": 8448000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Quality 60%\nQuality sub criteria:\nPerformance and Quality Assurance - 25%\nSafeguarding - 15%\nLot Specific Question - Children \u0026 Young People\t- 20%",
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "A Price (Hourly rate) is required for each Lot the Supplier is tendering for.",
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 40,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "Bespoke and personalised programmes of proactive support, mentoring and/or coaching, which will be offered to children and young people to enhance their learning experience and engagement. This could include physical activities or therapeutic interventions, aiming to support or improve behaviour, attendance, re-engagement with learning and the re-integration of children and young people into mainstream schools. \nThis provision could be to support one (1) child or young person or a group. The hours will vary depending on the intervention. Children/young people may receive this provision alongside other provision such as tutoring.",
        "id": "4",
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Complementary Provision",
        "value": {
          "amount": 7040000,
          "amountGross": 8448000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      },
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "Quality 60%\nQuality sub criteria:\nPerformance and Quality Assurance - 25%\nSafeguarding - 15%\nLot Specific Question - Children \u0026 Young People\t- 20%",
              "name": "Quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "A Price (Hourly rate) is required for each Lot the Supplier is tendering for.",
              "name": "Price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 40,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ],
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2034-08-31T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-09-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "description": "The purpose of this lot will be to deliver educational provision for children and young people with SEND working below level 1 of the National Curriculum and working to either The Engagement Model (formally known as P Scales), The Equals Curriculum or other similar programmes. This must be delivered by teachers with Qualified Teacher Status and experience of working in specialist SEND education settings. Teachers will have experience with communication and support tools such as PECS (picture exchange communication), Makaton, visual aids/timelines (replacing team teach), and core board talking tiles. Teachers are expected to liaise with multiple agencies involved in the child or young person\u0027s life.",
        "id": "5",
        "status": "active",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "title": "Bespoke Provision for higher level SEND and other complex needs",
        "value": {
          "amount": 7040000,
          "amountGross": 8448000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        }
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
    "recurrence": {
      "dates": [
        {
          "startDate": "2033-10-31T23:59:59Z"
        }
      ]
    },
    "specialRegime": [
      "lightTouch"
    ],
    "status": "active",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "Interested suppliers must register on the Council\u0027s e-tendering portal  link below and register interest in the tender to access the tender documents \nhttps://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login",
    "submissionTerms": {
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ]
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "description": "To be awarded onto the Framework - Suppliers will be appointed onto the Framework on the basis of their \u0027total\u0027 evaluated Price and Quality score. Suppliers will provide a Price as an hourly rate in (\u00a3) pounds sterling (exclusive of VAT). Any unusually High or Low bids will be due diligence checked by the Authority.\nTo be awarded a Call-off Contract - The initial ranking achieved at Framework award may not always reflect the most economically advantageous Provider when awarding individual contracts under it. Post appointment, the Authority will award Call-Off Contracts with or without competition between suppliers on the Framework as stated in the tender documents. Suppliers will provide a Price as an hourly rate in (\u00a3) pounds sterling (exclusive of VAT), which should be in line with their Price submitted in their original Framework tender submission.",
        "method": "withAndWithoutReopeningCompetition",
        "type": "closed"
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2025-12-17T12:00:00Z"
    },
    "title": "IA3354 Alternative Provision Light Touch Framework",
    "value": {
      "amount": 35200000,
      "amountGross": 42240000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    }
  }
}