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Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Devon County Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

17 Oct 2025 at 12:02

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

24 Jun 2025 at 11:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Mar 2025 at 07:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Devon County Council has initiated an active tender process for an "Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon." This framework is structured into several lots, focusing on both pre-16 and post-16 education placements for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The framework also includes bespoke alternative education provisions to facilitate reintegration into schools. Located in Devon, UK, this procurement process is in the tender stage, with submissions closing on 19th December 2025 and awards expected by 29th January 2026. The process follows an open procurement methodology under a services category, with an overall contract value estimated at £736,788,000, covering education and social work services.

This tender presents substantial business opportunities, especially for those operating within the education and training or health and social work sectors. It is particularly favourable for independent schools and colleges, non-maintained special schools, and providers offering bespoke education support packages. The framework's recurring nature, allowing new entrants at various entry points, ensures ongoing opportunities for suitable businesses, including SMEs, to engage in mini-competitions for specific lots. Given the light-touch regime, this contract can significantly bolster the portfolio of providers specialising in education and alternative support services for young people, fostering long-term growth and collaboration with a major public authority.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Notice Description

Devon County Council will be setting up an open framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon. The framework will comprise the following Lots: Lot 1a - Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools. Lot 1b - Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges. Lot 2a - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Lot 2b - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Lot Information

Pre-16 Education Placements

Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools.

Post-16 Education Placements

Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.

Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)

Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)

Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Planning Information

Devon County Council would like to invite providers to attend upcoming online events via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 3rd July 2025. There will be two events with the purpose of both events being: - To provide an update on the current position and timeline for the tender process - To share outcomes of our engagement and how this has helped us shape the future approach - To discuss our Information Security Questionnaire with the market Event 1 - The future commissioning of bespoke education placements within the independent sector for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, with Devon County Council. To be held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 from 11am to 1pm This event is intended for the the following settings (including Section 41 approved and non-Section 41 approved providers): - Independent schools - Independent special schools - Non maintained special schools - Special independent post-16 provision Event 2 - The future commissioning of alternative education provision services with Devon County Council. To be held on Thursday 3rd July 2025 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm This event is intended for providers who are currently delivering or who are intending to deliver alternative education support services to children and young people in Devon for the Council. To book for either event please complete the following Microsoft Forms booking form https://forms.office.com/e/CCr6fSS4kZ. You will then be sent a booking confirmation email with links and any other information you may need. Please note these events are not for discussion of any current operational issues or queries that providers may have, These queries should be directed to the applicable team member with Devon County Council Operations.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ea53
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066261-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£613,990,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£613,990,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
3 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Feb 2026 - 7 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
2026-09-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Devon 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
EXETER,
Postcode
EX2 4QD
Postcode Area
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Newtown and St Leonard's
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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