Scope
Reference
NCCT43184
Description
Norfolk County Council are developing a new Framework for Unregulated Alternative Provision / Education other than in school or college - Social, Emotional, Mental Health (SEMH) and Vocational, that will enable a fair and transparent process to manage how we commission and work in partnership with providers. The Framework will secure consistent approaches to safeguarding and sufficient choice for children and young people (CYP).
Contract length has not yet been fixed by Norfolk County Council. Final contract length will be set in the Tender Notice after market engagement. The contract Value is an estimate, and will depend on usage.
Interested parties will need to register their interest for the market engagement on In-Tend and a separate invite will be sent. Applicants must first be registered on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfile). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest'. Please then use the correspondence facility to let us know that you are interested in attending a market engagement session(s).
The procurement, once issued, will also be managed via In-Tend.
There will be be two Market Engagement sessions to support providers with the tendering process and it looks like.
Market engagement 1 (11th September 2025 1pm-2pm)
Discussion points
• Why do we need a framework?
• Key performance indicators
• Quality Assurance
• Procurement
Market engagement 2 (25th September 2025 1pm -2pm)
Discussion points:
• Why do we need a framework?
• Key performance indicators
• Quality Assurance
• Procurement
The criteria for the service would encompass the safeguarding of CYP and their outcomes.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £60,000,000 excluding VAT
- £72,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 28 January 2026 to 27 January 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
- UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
- UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
Lot 1. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision
Description
supporting CYP who experience difficulties in managing their emotions and behaviour.
Lot value (estimated)
- £60,000,000 excluding VAT
- £72,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Vocational unregulated alternative provision
Description
supporting CYP in obtaining qualifications in their commissioned setting
Lot value (estimated)
- £60,000,000 excluding VAT
- £72,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision
Lot 2. Vocational unregulated alternative provision
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
7 November 2025
Tender submission deadline
8 December 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council's e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement, applicants must first be registered on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfiles (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/BuyerProfile). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest' to view the documentation. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +448442728810 or emailing support@in-tend.co.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
27 January 2026
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Norfolk County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDYH-3246-XWTR
County Hall, Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
United Kingdom
Email: sourcingteam@norfolk.gov.uk
Region: UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government