Open Framework for Alternative Provision

Westmorland and Furness CouncilcontractFind a TenderRef ocds-h6vhtk-0556cdProcurement Act 2023Light-touch servicesSME suitableVCSE suitablepending
View buyer

Estimated value

Awarded value

£2.3m

Awarded 19 Apr 2026

Suppliers

31

27 SME

Lots

3

3 awarded

Published

03 Jun 2026

Description

Service Description The vision for the service is to ensure that all children, regardless of circumstance or setting, receive a good education. The service therefore is committed to ensuring all alternative provision commissioned for a child or young person in Westmorland and Furness is of good quality, registered where appropriate, and delivered by high quality staff with suitable training, experience and safeguarding checks. All alternative provision that is commissioned must be suitable to a child or young person's age, ability and aptitude and any special educational needs (SEN) they may have. All children and young people will make good progress against outcomes, identified prior to the start of a placement with a Provider and will have access to meaningful qualifications. This will mean they are equipped to progress onto the next stage in their educational career and are enabled to participate and contribute positively to society in the future. Placements into alternative provision will always be made with the child or young person's reintegration back into mainstream education or move onto a sustained post-16 destination in mind. The placement of a child or young person with a Provider is consistent with the efficient use of resources. The following Services are in scope of this specification: Lot 1: Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body). This may include providers who are registered with Ofsted, but the category of their registration does not include learners to whom they are offering alternative provision. Lot 2: Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body) Lot 3: Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school. The Framework will be managed with providers being placed on either Provider List A or B. The criteria for being on each list is as follows: List A is for Registered Providers and therefore those applying to Lot 1 would be placed on this list. It is also possible those applying for Lot 3 could also be a registered provider and be placed on List A. List B is for Providers who are unregistered whether applying for Lot 2 and or Lot 3.

Scope

Reference
DN783408
Commercial tool
Standalone contract
Contract dates
31 May 2026 to 31 Jan 2029
Possible extension to 31 Jan 2031

The framework allows for 2 optional 12 month extensions. Please note* This UK 4 Tender Notice relates to the first initial framework of the Open Framework which was advertised using F02 contract notice and is a corrected publication in line with the notices required under PA23. Initial F02 Contract Notice published: identifier: 2025/S 000-043929, Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd The start date of contract for the initial first framework is the 01/02/2026. The second framework within the open framework has an estimated start date of 01/06/2026

CPV classifications
80000000
85000000
Contract locations
North West England, United Kingdom
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Award criteria

Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.

NameDescriptionTypeWeighting
Priceprice40.00%
Qualityquality60.00%

Participation

Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.

Details of conditions of participation are clearly detailed in the tender documentation. Ofsted registration is required for some framework lots.

Submission & procedure

Procedure
Open procedure

Award details· 3 awards

Awarded supplier(s), contract period and value as published in the award notice.

Awarded value

£2.3m

Award date

19 Apr 2026

Contract start

14 Jun 2026

Contract end

31 Dec 2028

Awarded to
EL
CH 12612936
SME
PS
SME
3R
SME
CA
SME
EL
CH 12612936
SME
NE
SME
TP
SME
TE
CH 8176584
SME
HT
SME
ML
CH 16417267
SME
TO
CH 04416344
SM
CH 12944555
SME
3R
SME
CA
SME
EL
CH 12612936
SME
NE
SME
TP
SME
PS
SME
TE
CH 8176584
SME
HT
SME
ML
CH 16417267
SME
TO
CH 04416344
SM
SME

Lots · 3 total

Divisions of the contract. Each lot can be awarded separately.

View all →
LotTitleEst. valueStatus
1Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body).complete
2Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body)complete
3Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school.complete