Planning

Independent Special Education Provision and Out of School Tuition

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

01 Apr 2026 at 13:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 Jan 2026 at 16:13

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 May 2025 at 10:33

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

23 Apr 2025 at 15:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

20 Mar 2025 at 09:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cambridgeshire County Council is planning a procurement process titled "Independent Special Education Provision and Out of School Tuition" aimed at recommissioning the Independent Special School and Out of School Tuition frameworks. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically social work and related services. As part of the planning stage, the Council has scheduled several focus groups running from April 2026 to February 2027, to engage with providers and refine the service specifications. The procurement is set in the UKH12 region, aligning with the light-touch regime and includes a framework agreement. Key milestones include provider benchmarking in April 2026 and the contract period beginning in September 2027 through to August 2032.

This tender presents growth opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) specializing in special education, social work, and training services. The procurement process is above the threshold and features a framework agreement, making it an attractive opportunity for businesses seeking to expand their offerings in the field of special education. With several interactive forums and engagement sessions planned, prospective providers have a chance to collaborate closely with the Council, ensuring their services are aligned with the procurement objectives and the evolving needs of the local educational landscape. Businesses capable of joint commissioning and those committed to co-producing solutions with young people stand to gain significantly from this opportunity.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Special Education Provision and Out of School Tuition

Notice Description

Cambridgeshire County Council is conducting preliminary market engagement in relation to the recommissioning of the Independent Special School (ISEP) and Out of School Tuition (OoST) frameworks.

Planning Information

Following a recent SEND Provider Forum, the Council is planning some focus groups between now and February 2027. Please see below an indicative timeline: • April 26 = Benchmarking with providers their experience with other LA's • May 26 = Sub-Lots • June 26 = Appetite for training opportunities • July 26 = Policies - What does good look like • September 26 = Service Specification • October 26 = Pricing Schedules • November 26 = Application/Bids/Themes • December 26 = Procurement - Platform Familiarisation • January 27 = Referral Processes If you have any feedback on the above, please contact Childrenscommissioningteam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk by the end of the day on the 7th April. Some of these meetings will take place online and others in person.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ef76
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030420-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£281,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Apr 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2027 - 31 Aug 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAMBRIDGESHIRE 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
ALCONBURY WEALD, HUNTINGDON
Postcode
PE28 4YE
Post Town
Peterborough
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
TLH1 East Anglia, TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC
Local Authority
Huntingdonshire
Electoral Ward
The Stukeleys
Westminster Constituency
Huntingdon

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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