Scope
Reference
DN797233
Description
Herefordshire Council is seeking to establish an Open Framework of suitably qualified providers to deliver alternative education for those children and young people for whom it has a statutory responsibility, who are without a school place; or where a maintained school or academy has been unable to fully provide an appropriate individualised education package. Alternative provision may also be put in place for students who are at the point of permanent exclusion, have been permanently excluded from school or signed off from school on medical grounds.
The Alternative Education Provision Framework will contain 3 Lots:
• Lot 1 - Education and engagement activities
• Lot 2 - Mentoring (face to face and/or online)
• Lot 3 - Tuition (face to face and/or online)
Providers are permitted to bid for one, two or three lots depending upon the service(s) they are able to offer. Contracts will be awarded to multiple providers under each Lot.
The contract will commence in March 2026 and will be in place for up to 7 years. In accordance with the PA 2023, the Council will re-open the Open Framework at least once before the third anniversary of the First Open Framework Commencement Date and at least once every five years thereafter.
The maximum total value of this framework is £20,000,000 (ex VAT) across all 3 Lots.
The procurement is being conducted in accordance with the open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. It is being carried out under the Light Touch Regime (LTR) permissible under PA 2023, Section 9, and therefore applies the flexibilities afforded under above regulation.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £20,000,000 excluding VAT
- £24,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 March 2026 to 30 March 2031
- Possible extension to 30 March 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
Extensions are subject to demand and further internal governance
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKG11 - Herefordshire, County of
- UKG12 - Worcestershire
- UKG22 - Shropshire CC
- UKK13 - Gloucestershire
- UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
- UKL24 - Powys
Lot 1. Education and Engagement Activities
Description
This lot covers face-to-face educational and engagement provision delivered outside the mainstream school setting. The purpose is to complement and enrich the school curriculum and/or vocational placements, providing flexible, targeted support that meets the individual needs of children and young people. Provision must be age-appropriate, inclusive, and focused on improving engagement, attainment and progress.
This includes opportunities to achieve:
• Accredited qualifications
• Additional English and Maths support
• Academic and wider learning outcomes
• Vocational skills development
• Bespoke activities that re-engage child and/or young persons in learning
• Short-term interventions that build social and emotional well-being and support reintegration into mainstream education
Lot value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 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. Mentoring
Description
Providers will deliver 1:1 mentoring via face-to-face sessions, secure online platforms, or a hybrid model. Where service delivery is in the home environment a responsible adult must always be present.
Programmes will be individualised and interactive, addressing educational gaps, building confidence, developing life skills, and promoting a positive and proactive attitude to learning.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,000,000 excluding VAT
- £2,400,000 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 3. Tuition
Description
Tuition may cover all key stages, core and option subjects, and vocational qualifications. Provision will cover subjects such as English, maths and science etc. Service delivery in person and/or online must be safe, interactive, and flexible, allowing a tailored programme for each learner to meet their need.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,000,000 excluding VAT
- £3,600,000 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
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
30 March 2033
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
The Council will select whether the award without competition or award with competition process is to be used on the following basis:
1. the Council may use the award without competition process where:
(a) the required services are adequately described in Specification;
(b) the core call-off terms and conditions for the Services (including the Provider's Fees or a pricing mechanism to determine the Provider's Fees) are set out in Framework Agreement and are appropriate;
(c) the call-off contract can be concluded without making any substantial modifications to its terms; and
(d) the Council can identify a Provider for the call-off contract applying the objective mechanism in the award without competition process.
2. Where one or more of the elements listed in (a) to (d) in paragraph 1 above is absent (or where the Council prefers), then the Council should use the award with competition process.
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. Education and Engagement Activities
Lot 2. Mentoring
Lot 3. Tuition
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
10 December 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
17 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Herefordshire Council has published this contract opportunity on the 'Supplying the Southwest Portal', project reference DN797233. To view the documentation related to this opportunity you will need to register on the portal if you are not already registered with Procontract, and express an interest in the opportunity.
To register with Procontract on the Supplying the Southwest Portal, click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser's address bar: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk Registration is free.
We do not accept tender submissions via email, only through the Supplying the Southwest Portal.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
6 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Pass/ Fail |
Quality |
Weighting description
Pass/ Fail
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Herefordshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDTG-2978-LHCN
Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane
Hereford
HR4 0LE
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ms Aksana Hironak
Region: UKG11 - Herefordshire, County of
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government