This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

11 Aug 2025 at 11:02

Award

28 Aug 2024 at 16:58

Award

29 May 2024 at 17:03

Award

08 Nov 2023 at 14:48

Planning

02 Mar 2023 at 15:41

Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council, in partnership with Medway Council, conducted a procurement process titled "External Tuition - Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council". This process pertains to the category of education and training services, under the restrictively selective procedure specific to a purchasing framework for External Tuition for Special Education Needs (SEN) services. The procurement aimed to supplement existing services for children and young people with Education Health Plans when internal capacity is exceeded. The contracts, valued at £6 million each, were signed on 1st July 2025, covering areas in the UK region UKJ4 (Kent), ensuring quality education standards through the involvement of multiple awardees including Ackerman Pierce and Fresh Start in Education, among others.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in educational support services, particularly those focused on special educational needs. Suppliers such as Ackerman Pierce and Zik Expert have already been awarded contracts, indicating a conducive environment for SMEs in the education sector to thrive. The procurement's emphasis on service quality and engagement with children and young people aligns well with companies that can deliver innovative and effective educational solutions. Additionally, businesses in the Kent and surrounding areas may find strategic advantages in partnering or subcontracting within this framework, potentially leading to sustainable growth and enhanced service offerings.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

External Tuition - Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council

Notice Description

Purchasing Framework for External Tuition for Special Education Needs (SEN), KCC and Medway Council and Virtual Schools Kent (VSK) External Tuition and Mentoring Services. Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council have a statutory responsibility under The Education Act 1996 to provide education for all children and young people (CYP) until the age of 19, or 25 for those with Education Health Plan (EHCP). Associated legislation includes The Children and Families Act 2014, the SEN Code of Practice (2015), the Equality Act 2010 and The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Regulations 2014. Within this statutory framework, KCC is seeking to establish a purchasing framework for those children and young people (CYP) that do not meet the criteria/or capacity has been reached with our inhouse service (The Education Programme) for short-term tuition for students with EHCP. This work is taking place as a result of the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) joint review of SEND provision for Kent CYP and the resulting of an Accelerated Programme Plan (AAP). Medway Council has also highlighted the need for the council to implement a purchasing framework. This will enable the council greater oversight over the quality of education, inclusive practice, outcomes, and accomplishments for all CYP in Medway. Together, Medway and Kent working in partnership will ensure there is a robust governance and assurance process in place which provides a joint review to guarantee that Medway and Kent CYP receive quality tutoring and value for money from commissioned providers. Virtual School Head Teachers (VSHs) are responsible for promoting the educational achievement of all the children looked after by the local authority they work for. Kent Children in Care (CiC) aged from 3 to 18 years of age are supported by Virtual School Kent (VSK). Pupil Premium Plus funding (PP+) or Early Years Pupil Premium funding (EYPP) can be used to pay for activities that will: - * Improve the learning targets in children's Personal Education Plans (PEPs). * Encourage CiC to be more involved and interested in their education.

Lot Information

Kent County Council Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Purchasing Framework for External Tuition for Special Education Needs (SEN), KCC and Medway Council and Virtual Schools Kent (VSK) External Tuition and Mentoring Services. Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council have a statutory responsibility under The Education Act 1996 to provide education for all children and young people (CYP) until the age of 19, or 25 for those with Education Health Plan (EHCP). Associated legislation includes The Children and Families Act 2014, the SEN Code of Practice (2015), the Equality Act 2010 and The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Regulations 2014. Within this statutory framework, KCC is seeking to establish a purchasing framework for those children and young people (CYP) that do not meet the criteria/or capacity has been reached with our inhouse service (The Education Programme) for short-term tuition for students with EHCP. This work is taking place as a result of the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) joint review of SEND provision for Kent CYP and the resulting of an Accelerated Programme Plan (AAP). Medway Council has also highlighted the need for the council to implement a purchasing framework. This will enable the council greater oversight over the quality of education, inclusive practice, outcomes, and accomplishments for all CYP in Medway. Together, Medway and Kent working in partnership will ensure there is a robust governance and assurance process in place which provides a joint review to guarantee that Medway and Kent CYP receive quality tutoring and value for money from commissioned providers. Virtual School Head Teachers (VSHs) are responsible for promoting the educational achievement of all the children looked after by the local authority they work for. Kent Children in Care (CiC) aged from 3 to 18 years of age are supported by Virtual School Kent (VSK). Pupil Premium Plus funding (PP+) or Early Years Pupil Premium funding (EYPP) can be used to pay for activities that will: - * Improve the learning targets in children's Personal Education Plans (PEPs). * Encourage CiC to be more involved and interested in their education.

Medway Council

Purchasing Framework for External Tuition for Special Education Needs (SEN), KCC and Medway Council and Virtual Schools Kent (VSK) External Tuition and Mentoring Services. Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council have a statutory responsibility under The Education Act 1996 to provide education for all children and young people (CYP) until the age of 19, or 25 for those with Education Health Plan (EHCP). Associated legislation includes The Children and Families Act 2014, the SEN Code of Practice (2015), the Equality Act 2010 and The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Regulations 2014. Within this statutory framework, KCC is seeking to establish a purchasing framework for those children and young people (CYP) that do not meet the criteria/or capacity has been reached with our inhouse service (The Education Programme) for short-term tuition for students with EHCP. This work is taking place as a result of the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) joint review of SEND provision for Kent CYP and the resulting of an Accelerated Programme Plan (AAP). Medway Council has also highlighted the need for the council to implement a purchasing framework. This will enable the council greater oversight over the quality of education, inclusive practice, outcomes, and accomplishments for all CYP in Medway. Together, Medway and Kent working in partnership will ensure there is a robust governance and assurance process in place which provides a joint review to guarantee that Medway and Kent CYP receive quality tutoring and value for money from commissioned providers. Virtual School Head Teachers (VSHs) are responsible for promoting the educational achievement of all the children looked after by the local authority they work for. Kent Children in Care (CiC) aged from 3 to 18 years of age are supported by Virtual School Kent (VSK). Pupil Premium Plus funding (PP+) or Early Years Pupil Premium funding (EYPP) can be used to pay for activities that will: - * Improve the learning targets in children's Personal Education Plans (PEPs). * Encourage CiC to be more involved and interested in their education.

Virtual School Kent (VSK)

Purchasing Framework for External Tuition for Special Education Needs (SEN), KCC and Medway Council and Virtual Schools Kent (VSK) External Tuition and Mentoring Services. Kent County Council (KCC) and Medway Council have a statutory responsibility under The Education Act 1996 to provide education for all children and young people (CYP) until the age of 19, or 25 for those with Education Health Plan (EHCP). Associated legislation includes The Children and Families Act 2014, the SEN Code of Practice (2015), the Equality Act 2010 and The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Regulations 2014. Within this statutory framework, KCC is seeking to establish a purchasing framework for those children and young people (CYP) that do not meet the criteria/or capacity has been reached with our inhouse service (The Education Programme) for short-term tuition for students with EHCP. This work is taking place as a result of the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) joint review of SEND provision for Kent CYP and the resulting of an Accelerated Programme Plan (AAP). Medway Council has also highlighted the need for the council to implement a purchasing framework. This will enable the council greater oversight over the quality of education, inclusive practice, outcomes, and accomplishments for all CYP in Medway. Together, Medway and Kent working in partnership will ensure there is a robust governance and assurance process in place which provides a joint review to guarantee that Medway and Kent CYP receive quality tutoring and value for money from commissioned providers. Virtual School Head Teachers (VSHs) are responsible for promoting the educational achievement of all the children looked after by the local authority they work for. Kent Children in Care (CiC) aged from 3 to 18 years of age are supported by Virtual School Kent (VSK). Pupil Premium Plus funding (PP+) or Early Years Pupil Premium funding (EYPP) can be used to pay for activities that will: - * Improve the learning targets in children's Personal Education Plans (PEPs). * Encourage CiC to be more involved and interested in their education.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03adb7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047564-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Aug 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jun 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Aug 20233 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
56
Supplier Names

A-Day Consultants Ltd trading as ACADEMICS

Academy21 Ltd

Ackerman Pierce

Active Outreach Services

Affinity Workforce Solutions

Apex Education Services limited

Beeline Behaviour Change

Bright Heart Education Ltd

Dare to Differ Ltd

EM Skills Enterprise

Education Family Wellbeing Services

Egan Education Services Ltd

Equal Education Ltd

Eton Academy

First Star Scholars

Fleet Education Services

Fresh Start in Education

High Impact Academic Coaching ltd

Horizon Care and Education Ltd

Karis Education

Kent Refugee Action Network

Learn Solutions Ltd t/as TLC Live

MHR Tuition

Medic Mind T/A Study Mind

National Teaching and Advisory Service

Nisai Virtual Academy Ltd

North Kent Mind Ltd

Omega Tutoring Services Ltd

Outreach Tuition Ltd

PLYTIME Learning

Parity Education

Powertutors Ltd

Primary to GCSE Tutoring

Project Salus Ltd

Prospero Teaching

Randstad Education

SPM Development Services Ltd

Sammie Allen Tutoring - Learn with SAT

Sense Learning Ltd.

Sensory Everywhere

Sophia High Ltd

Street Soccer Foundation

Targeted Provision Ltd.

Teacher Active Ltd

Teaching Personnel

Tecnis Academy

The Catch-Up Academy

The Edwin Group

The Pyramid Project

Tradewind Recruitment Limited

Tuition Extra Ltd

Tute Education Ltd

Tutor Doctor

Winchmore Tutors Ltd

Write Trak Ltd

Zik Expert

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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