Scope
Reference
CWC25011
Description
The City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking to commission a range of Independent Specialist Education Providers who will meet the needs of our children and young people whilst promoting choice in the local market and delivering best value for money.
Provision under this Independent Specialist Education Providers (ISEP) Light Touch Framework will be for children and young people with a range of special educational needs between the ages of 5-25 with an EHCP as set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.
The tender will be separated into 4 Lots:
Lot 1: Primary phase - ages 5 - 11 national curriculum years 1 - 6
Lot 2: Secondary phase - ages 11- 16 national curriculum years 7 - 11
Lot 3: Post-16 phase - ages 16 - 19
Lot 4: Post-19 phase - age 19+
Due to procurement legislation, all maintained (publicly owned) schools do not need to apply for the framework as the authority can contract with them outside of the framework.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £89,996,538 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
There will be 2 optional extensions of 1 year each (total of 2 years).
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Lot 1 (was GB-PPON-PVBV-7568-LBLL). Primary Phase Independent Specialist Placements
Description
Lot 1: Primary Phase Independent Specialist Placements - (ages 5-11, National Curriculum Years 1-6 - this could include reception year)
Lot value (estimated)
- £30,133,619 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. Secondary Phase Independent Specialist Placements
Description
Lot 2: Secondary Phase Independent Specialist Placements - (ages 11-16, National Curriculum Years 7-11)
Lot value (estimated)
- £45,200,428 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 3. Post 16 Independent Specialist Placements
Description
Lot 3: Post 16 Independent Specialist Placements
Lot value (estimated)
- £10,263,744 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 4. Post 19 Independent Specialist Placements
Description
Lot 4: Post 19 Independent Specialist Placements
Lot value (estimated)
- £4,398,748 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%
Framework operation description
Framework prices will be submitted by providers when bidding onto the framework. The call-off process is stipulated in the specification document included within the tender pack.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1 (was GB-PPON-PVBV-7568-LBLL). Primary Phase Independent Specialist Placements
Lot 2. Secondary Phase Independent Specialist Placements
Lot 3. Post 16 Independent Specialist Placements
Lot 4. Post 19 Independent Specialist Placements
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
2 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
16 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 October 2032
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 85% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
| Equality, Diversity & Inclusion | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Wolverhampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVBV-7568-LBLL
Civic Centre, St Peter's Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SH
United Kingdom
Region: UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government