Description
Please note this is not a Tender Opportunity.
Surrey County Council (SCC) warmly invites you to take part in a Market Engagement Event on Tuesday 30th September 2025 for potential and existing providers of Independent Alternative Provision Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This includes Non-Maintained Independent (NMI) provision who may wish to contribute to Surrey County Council's Independent Alternative Provision (AP) community.
Independent Alternative Provision is provision largely for one-to-one support, children and young people who require specialist intervention (in many cases but not exclusively for their additional needs) which in many cases is delivered in the home or in the community with the support of / or at the request of families.
This may include:
• Tutoring (QTS qualified and non QTS qualified)
• Specialist teachers
• Services supporting education
• Community based service(s) (for example, equine care)
Ultimately, it is SCCs aim to ensure that every child and young person placed within Alternative Provision (if required):
• Develop the skills and confidence to return to and access mainstream education (if appropriate)
• Be safe and happy in any alternative provision(s) that they access
• Develop the skills and confidence to transition to adulthood, including work opportunities (apprenticeships, post-16 education)
• Has the option to access and contribute to local opportunities within their communities
This event is designed to support providers ahead of the next opening window. Its primary aim is to:
• Introduction/Overview to Independent Alternative Provision in Surrey, including the current landscape, market and forecast sufficiency needs
• Share hints, tips, and areas to consider based on lessons learned from evaluating Rounds One, Two and Three
• Offer guidance on registering with the e-tendering system Proactis, including resources to help providers navigate it
• Outline the next steps in the procurement process and the proposed timetable
• Provide a forum to answer questions from potential and existing providers of Independent Alternative Provision (AP)
In this round, we are particularly keen to strengthen our Lot 6 - Post-16 Support Services offer in line with our SEND sufficiency plan. This includes expanding access to vocational pathways, employment support, and mentoring services. We welcome providers who can contribute to a broader, more resilient base of support for young people transitioning into adulthood, especially those with EHCPs.
Any interested organisation or consortium with the experience, capability and capacity to deliver Independent Alternative Provision services as laid out in this notice may register for the Market Engagement Event.
Please register your attendance here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/739dbbfb-c71b-46bf-9b4d-da019d6926c4@d961b545-104c-4ed0-8582-1f570f0595cd
Please note that attendance will be limited to 3 attendees per organisation.