Alternative Education Provision for Children and Young People including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - DPS - CA&FS - CSC/2023/686 *
Stoke-on-Trent City CouncilEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
31 July 2035
3261 days remaining
Published
26 May 2023
Type
Not specified
Overview
Stoke on Trent City Council intend to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to deliver Section 19 Alternative Provision, ensuring statutory duties are fulfilled, pupils are re-integrated back into mainstream schools or in KS4 are prepared for adulthood. It ensures that outcomes for young people are improved, quality across the market is improved and provision is value for money.Section 19 of the Education Act places a duty on local authorities to make suitable Alternative Education Provision for children of statutory school age who cannot attend school because of illness, exclusion, or any other reasons and who would not receive suitable education without such arrangements being made.
This duty applies to all children including those with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). Alternative Provision should exist to re-engage children with education and should normally work towards re-integrating students back into mainstream provision or in KS4 preparing young people for adulthood.
AI Analysis
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The UK government is setting up a Dynamic Purchasing System (a pre-approved supplier list) for organisations that can provide alternative education for children and young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. If you're selected, you'll be called on to deliver education provision when mainstream schools can't meet a child's needs.
Requirements
- Must be able to provide alternative education provision for children and young people aged 5-19 years old
- Must be able to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Must comply with UK education law and Ofsted standards
- Must have appropriate safeguarding policies and DBS clearance procedures in place
- Must be able to deliver education that meets the National Curriculum or suitable alternative
- Must have qualified or experienced staff to deliver education
- Must have appropriate premises and facilities to teach children safely
- Must be able to work within the local authority's contracting and quality framework
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Provide full-time or part-time alternative education provision for children removed from or unable to access mainstream schooling
- Support children with special educational needs and disabilities through tailored education programmes
- Deliver teaching that complies with the National Curriculum or provide an approved alternative curriculum
- Maintain safeguarding standards and work within local authority safeguarding requirements
- Report on pupil progress and outcomes to the local authority
- Work flexibly to meet the needs of individual children referred to your provision
How to Read This Tender
- 1A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) isn't a single contract — it's a pre-qualification list. Once you're approved, the council will call you when they need alternative education. You'll bid on specific placements competitively.
- 2This tender is issued by a local authority (likely a Children's Services department). Check which council this is — the contract notice should specify the local authority name. Different councils may have different quality standards.
- 3SEND provision is highly regulated. Before bidding, check Ofsted's latest guidance on alternative provision and SEND requirements — this will tell you what the government expects.
- 4Look carefully at the 'Terms and Conditions' section of the full tender documents — these will set out how often you'll be evaluated, how placements are allocated, and what happens if quality drops.
- 5The council will likely specify staffing ratios, safeguarding requirements, and curriculum standards in the detailed specification. These are non-negotiable — don't bid unless you can meet them.
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you're a small independent education provider, consider whether you can handle variable demand. DPS contracts mean you might get 1 placement one month and 5 the next. Have flexible staffing plans.
- Social value scores heavily in education tenders. Highlight any support you offer disadvantaged students (e.g. free lunch programmes, mental health support, post-16 employment pathways). This can be the difference between winning and losing.
- Partner with a larger education provider if you're new. Many small tutoring or therapy companies subcontract to established alternative provision bodies. This reduces your risk while you build a track record.
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
YMCA North Staffordshire
1 contract wonlatest 8 Jul 2026 - 2
Kindre Unites Ltd
1 contract wonlatest 8 Jul 2026 - 3
Intuition Holistic Education
1 contract wonlatest 8 Jul 2026 - 4
Randstad Solutions Ltd
1 contract wonlatest 8 Jul 2026 - 5
RH Express Limited
1 contract wonlatest 30 Jun 2026
YMCA North Staffordshire is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
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Buyer Profile
Stoke-on-Trent City CouncilKey Dates
Published
26 May 2023
Submission deadline
31 July 2035
Source
procontract
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