SCC Independent Alternative Provision Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities - Admission Round 4
Surrey County CouncilEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
Not specified
Published
14 May 2026
Type
services
Overview
Surrey County Council (SCC) has established a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the supply of services in respect of Independent Alternative Provision for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities for an initial period of 4 years with optional further extension provisions for an additional 2 years+2 years. This contract award notice is for the admitted providers to the fourth round of the DPS.
The primary purpose of this DPS will be to provide key education and/or other support services to a child or young person who are in receipt of an Education, Health and Care (EHCP) (or those individuals as outlined in the Service Specification). SCC wishes to move to a whole system approach to alternative provision where inclusive schools, clear pathways and outstanding provision all work together to ensure excellent outcomes for children and young people.
SCC wishes promoting a collective system in which educational settings, community services, health and education support services all play a crucial part in responding to vulnerable children and assisting with reintegration to school (where appropriate). Providers successful in joining the AP DPS will play a vital role in creating a "community" of provision.
Lots (6)
- Lot 1Tutoring (QTS Qualified) - Lot 1a: Online - Lot 1b: Face to Face provision Lot 2: Tutoring (Non QTS Qualified) - Lot 2a: Online - Lot 2b: Face to Face provision Lot 3: Specialist Teachers - Lot 3a: Online - Lot 3b: Face to Face provision Lot 4: Registered Therapies supporting education (covered under HCPC) - Lot 4a: Online - Lot 4b: Face to Face provision Lot 5: Other services supporting education - Lot 5a: Online -Lot 5b: Face to Face provision Lot 6: Post-16 Support Services (supporting employment, preparing for adulthood/ independence) - Lot 6a: Online - Lot 6b: Face to Face provision SCC intends to evaluate new applications to the 'Admission' stage twice a year
- Lot 2Tutoring (non QTS Qualified) Providers delivering services on Lot 2 be able to offer tutors who hold a degree level qualification or have substantial experience in a required subject and will be able to offer either face to face or online tutoring
- Lot 3Specialist Teachers Service Providers in Lot 3 will offer teachers who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and additional qualifications or significant experience (5+ years)
- Lot 4Registered Therapies supporting education (covered under HCPC) Providers delivering services in Lot 4 will offer registered therapies as listed in: https://www
- Lot 5Other services supporting education Providers delivering services in Lot 5 will offer other non-specified services such as vocational programmes, mentoring, alternative therapies not covered by HCPC and other services that will work to reduce the anxiety of the pupils
- Lot 6Post-16 Support Services (supporting employment, preparing for adulthood/ independence) Providers delivering services in Lot 6 are expected to support young people to prepare or transition to adulthood to access vocational, employment and/or further education
Regulations cited
- Public Contracts Regulations 2015
Additional details
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. The services required fall under Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).
As a result, this procurement is undertaken under the 'Light Touch Regime' as detailed in Section 7 of PCR 2015. Eligible Surrey County Council Maintained schools and Academies may access Providers on the DPS following Year 1 (Please see https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/...) for list of schools and academies included) via an access agreement.
The Council reserves the right to revise the number of evaluation Rounds ('opening ceremonies') for Admission stage per year at its discretion to allow further applicants to apply in an emergency. The Council will add Providers to the DPS throughout its duration, providing that the Providers meet the requirements outlined in the Invitation to Tender documents and submit an Application that is found to be compliant.
By applying to be admitted to the DPS, Providers are not obligated to bid for services at 'Contracting' stage. These services are being procured under a multiple-Provider DPS.
There will be no limit to the number of Providers admitted onto the DPS, providing they meet the minimum requirements as set out in the Invitation to Tender documents. There will be no guarantee of work or volume of work given under this DPS.
For the purposes of this Contract Award Notice, the overall estimated aggregate DPS value has been divided equally between each Lot however does not reflect the anticipated Lot spend or contract value. This will be determined based on the need of the individual at Stage 2: Contracting Stage and cannot be anticipated at this stage.
The subjects will be specific to the needs of the individual pupil but will predominantly be the core school subjects of English, Maths and Science. Lot 1 is further divided into two (2) sub-lots: Lot 1a: Online Lot 1b: Face to Face provision
Lot 2 is further divided into two (2) sub-lots: Lot 2a: Online Lot 2b: Face to Face provision This additional experience will be in specific areas of need that would allow them to offer specialist support and advice to the pupil's class-based teacher e.g., BSL trained staff, ASD specialists.
Qualifications could include Mandatory Qualification for Teachers of Children with Hearing Impairment/Visual Impairment Lot 3 is further divided into two (2) sub-lots: Lot 3a: Online Lot 3b: Face to Face provision They will also support the continued engagement (for placements in danger of ending) or the re-engagement of pupils with full time education, training, or employment.
Lot 5 is further divided into two (2) sub-lots: Lot 5a: Online Lot 5b: Face to Face provision Lot 6 is further divided into two (2) sub-lots: Lot 6a: Online Lot 6b: Face to Face provision
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
Surrey County Council is building a list of approved providers to deliver alternative education and support services to children and young people with additional needs and disabilities who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. Once you're approved and added to this list, schools can then hire you to deliver specific services — but there's no guaranteed work upfront.
Requirements
- For Lot 1 (QTS Tutoring): Hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- For Lot 2 (Non-QTS Tutoring): Hold a degree-level qualification OR have substantial experience in the subject you'll teach
- For Lot 3 (Specialist Teachers): Hold QTS AND have additional qualifications or 5+ years significant experience in a specialist area (e.g. BSL, ASD, hearing/visual impairment teaching)
- For Lot 4 (Registered Therapies): Be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a regulated therapist
- For Lot 5 (Other Services): No specific qualifications listed — check full tender documents for detailed requirements
- For Lot 6 (Post-16 Support): No specific qualifications listed — check full tender documents for detailed requirements
- Comply with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 Light Touch Regime requirements
- Be able to deliver services either online or face-to-face (or both)
- Meet all minimum requirements outlined in the formal Invitation to Tender documents
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Deliver one-to-one tutoring in core subjects (English, Maths, Science) with QTS-qualified staff (Lot 1)
- Deliver tutoring in specified subjects with degree-qualified or experienced tutors without QTS (Lot 2)
- Provide specialist teacher support and advice in areas such as BSL, ASD, hearing impairment, or visual impairment teaching (Lot 3)
- Deliver registered therapy services (speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) as regulated by HCPC (Lot 4)
- Deliver non-standard support services including vocational programmes, mentoring, anxiety-reduction support, and re-engagement programmes (Lot 5)
- Support young people aged 16+ to prepare for employment, vocational training, further education, or independent adulthood (Lot 6)
- Deliver services either online or in person (or both) depending on lot chosen
- Provide services primarily in home or community settings, often on a one-to-one basis
- Work as part of a broader 'community of provision' supporting children's reintegration to school where appropriate
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a 'Dynamic Purchasing System' (DPS) — think of it as being added to an approved supplier list rather than winning a single contract. Once approved, individual schools request and purchase services from you on a case-by-case basis. No minimum work is guaranteed.
- 2There are 6 main service areas (Lots), each split into online and face-to-face sub-lots. You can apply for one, several, or all of them — apply only for what you can genuinely deliver. Read the full Invitation to Tender to understand exactly what qualifications and experience each lot demands.
- 3The 'Light Touch Regime' under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 means the rules are less rigid than standard procurement, but you still must meet the published minimum standards. Don't assume corner-cutting is acceptable.
- 4This notice is for 'Admission Round 4' — the council will hold admissions twice yearly, so if you miss this round, you can apply again in future rounds. There's no limit to how many providers can be admitted if they meet standards.
- 5Look carefully at Lots 4, 5, and 6 — the requirements aren't fully detailed in this summary. Download the full Invitation to Tender documents before deciding whether to bid; they'll contain detailed service specifications, evaluation criteria, and pricing guidance.
Tips for Small Businesses
- You don't need to offer all services or all delivery methods — be honest about what you can do. If you only deliver face-to-face, apply for the face-to-face sub-lots only. Overselling capabilities damages your reputation and wastes evaluation time.
- Consider applying as a consortium or subcontracting partnership, especially for Lots 3, 4, and 6 where specialist qualifications (QTS, HCPC registration) may require you to partner with qualified staff. Many small providers win DPS places by partnering with specialists.
- Understand that 'no guaranteed volume' means cash flow risk — you'll only earn when schools request services. Build a pricing model that covers your overheads, and be prepared to work on flexible, on-demand contracts. Consider whether you need insurance, safeguarding checks (DBS), and staff training in place before being called upon.
Award Details
ABC Education Limited
Academic Tutor Services Ltd
Cetacea Education Services Limited
Education Family Wellbeing Service
INSIGHT Wellbeing Services Ltd
Study Mind Ltd
TLC LIVE
Overworld AMP Limted
PAL SQUARE PHYSIO LTD
TLC Space Ltd
Fleet Education Services
Halow Project
Surrey Choices Ltd
Independent software, web & cloud studio. We design, build and grow digital products that quietly outlast their category.
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Buyer Profile
SURREY COUNTY COUNCILKey Dates
Published
14 May 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
award
Source
find a tender
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