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

Kent County Council

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

30 Sep 2026 at 12:29

Award Notice
Award

11 Aug 2025 at 11:02

Award Notice
Award

28 Aug 2024 at 16:58

Award Notice
Award

29 May 2024 at 17:03

Award Notice
Award

08 Nov 2023 at 14:48

Award Notice
Planning

02 Mar 2023 at 15:41

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council and Medway Council buy external tuition and mentoring for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans who cannot be served by the councils’ in-house provision. Virtual School Kent also uses the arrangement to support children in care, helping them meet learning targets in Personal Education Plans and engage with education. The work is education and training services, delivered across Kent and Medway. The councils’ joint framework is intended to provide short-term tuition where in-house capacity or eligibility is insufficient, and to support oversight of education quality, inclusive practice and outcomes. Virtual School Kent’s provision serves children in care aged 3 to 18; the wider statutory education remit described by the councils extends to young people up to 19, or 25 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan.

The procurement is complete and contracts have been signed. It used a restricted procedure to establish a dynamic purchasing system under the Light Touch Regime. The requirement was divided into three lots: Kent County Council special educational needs tuition, Medway Council tuition, and Virtual School Kent tuition and mentoring. Awards were made to multiple suppliers on each lot, with further supplier additions in later award rounds. The first contract was signed on 3 August 2023 for £6 million. A further £6 million contract was signed on 1 May 2024, and three £6 million contracts on 28 August 2024. Three more contracts, one for each lot, were signed on 1 July 2025 at £6 million apiece. The latest awards across the three lots were signed on 18 September 2026; no values are recorded for those contracts. Evaluation placed equal weight on service delivery standards and engagement and consultation with children and young people; price carried no weight.

This procurement demonstrates continuing demand from Kent County Council and Medway Council for external tuition and mentoring, including provision for pupils with special educational needs and children in care. The buyer admitted a broad supplier base, including specialist tuition providers, education organisations, recruitment businesses and individual tutors, so the opportunity has accommodated both small and larger operators. A credible competitor would need to deliver short-term, learner-focused teaching beyond the councils’ in-house capacity, with effective inclusive practice and evidence of service quality. The stated evaluation basis puts particular emphasis on delivery standards and meaningful engagement and consultation with children and young people, rather than price. Providers should be able to support educational progress, including Personal Education Plan targets for children in care, and operate across the relevant parts of Kent and Medway. The arrangement’s multiple lots show scope for suppliers to serve one council or the wider partnership.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03adb7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092329-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award 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
30 Sep 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jun 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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
77
Supplier Names

Academy21

Bright Heart Education

Dare to Differ Ltd

Equal Education

Fleet Education Services

Horizon Care and Education Group Limited

Karis Education

National Teaching & Advisory Service

Nisai Virtual Academy

NORTH KENT MIND

Omega Tutoring Services Ltd

Project Salus CIC

Prospero Teaching

Sammie Allen Tutoring - Learn with SAT

SENSE LEARNING LIMITED

SPM Development Services Ltd

Street Soccer Foundation

Targeted Provision

TeacherActive

TEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITED

Tecnis Academy

The Edwin Group

Tuition Extra Ltd

Tute Education

Winchmore Tutors

Write Trak Ltd

A-DAY CONSULTANTS LIMITED

APEX EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITED

Egan Education Services Ltd

HIGH IMPACT ACADEMIC COACHING LTD

Outreach Tuition Ltd

Powertutors Ltd

Sensory Everywhere

Sophia High Ltd

CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTD

Learn Solutions Ltd t/as TLC Live

TRADEWIND RECRUITMENT LTD

AFFINITY WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS LIMITED

Tutor Doctor

Kent Refugee Action Network

Ackerman Pierce Ltd

Active Outreach Services

Beeline Behaviour Change

Education Family Wellbeing Services

Fresh Start in Education Ltd

Parity Education

Randstad Education

The Pyramid Project

Zik Expert

EM Skills Enterprise CIC

ETON ACADEMY LTD

First Star Scholars

MHR Tuition

Primary to GCSE Tutoring

MEDIC MIND LTD

PLYTIME Learning

33 RECRUITMENT LTD

ALL ABOUT SEN KENT LIMITED

BRIGHTTEACH LTD

COYLE PERSONNEL LIMITED

CROYDON COLLEGE OF EXCELLENCE LIMITED

Heart Teaching Ltd

Ivy Mind Ltd

Kaden Recruitment

KOJIKOJO LIMITED

NEGU TUITION SERVICES LTD

PAUL WHITE TUITION LIMITED

Nicole King

Sarah SEND Specialist

TAILOREDUCATION RECRUITMENT LTD

THE READING DOCTOR LTD

We are Beams

WILDER PATHWAYS LTD

Friends Of Frampton Farm CIC

Conexus Tuition Medway

THRIVE CHILDREN SERVICES LIMITED

VIBE COMMUNITY LIMITED

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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