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WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)

West Sussex County Council

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

01 Jul 2026 at 15:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

05 Dec 2025 at 10:09

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

13 Nov 2025 at 15:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

20 Jun 2025 at 08:45

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 May 2025 at 12:32

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) Framework by West Sussex County Council, a sub-central government authority located in Chichester, United Kingdom, has been completed with an official award dated 1st July 2026. This project is focused on ensuring access to high-quality education for all learners, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism. Commencing on 1st September 2026 and ending on 31st March 2028, with potential extensions until 2034, this contract aims to complement mainstream education through short-term interventions and bespoke packages outside traditional schooling frameworks. The procurement method used was an open procedure under the light-touch regime, emphasizing education and training services with a gross value of £224,595,000.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in educational services, particularly those with innovative approaches to alternative education. SMEs and large organisations alike, especially those experienced in supporting learners with SEND or offering tailored educational solutions, are well-suited to explore this framework agreement. With 55 final-stage bids and considerable interest from SMEs, this tender allows service providers to cater to diverse learner needs, enhancing their portfolio and market presence in the education sector. Businesses capable of forming multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support to learners are encouraged to engage, as the framework facilitates diverse tiers of service provision, enhancing educational outcomes and promoting business growth through strategic educational partnerships.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)

Notice Description

The Authority is committed to ensuring access to high-quality education for all Learners, in line with statutory duties under the Education Act. To achieve this, we commission Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) to complement mainstream education, provide short-term interventions, and deliver Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages where appropriate. This Framework will operate in addition to the Authority's commissioned placements at the Ofsted-regulated West Sussex Alternative Provision College (APC), which offers full-time education. The Framework aims to secure safe, high-quality Alternative Provision that: acts as an intervention, not a destination; supports timely reintegration and/or transition of Learners into long-term education, training, or employment; and meets the individual needs of Learners, particularly Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with a particular demand on provisions supporting Learners with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism. The Framework has been updated to align with the Non-School Alternative Provision Voluntary National Standards (August 2025), ensuring Suppliers meet nationally recognized benchmarks for quality and safeguarding. Structure of the Framework This opportunity does not include separate Lots. Suppliers may apply for one or more Tiers and can request to add additional Tiers at any point during the Framework term. Tier 1: Provision commissioned by schools for Learners at risk of placement breakdown (e.g., short-term intervention to maintain engagement). Tier 2: Transitional placements commissioned by the Authority while seeking a permanent education setting. Tier 3: Provision commissioned by the Authority for Learners with an agreed EOTAS package. Tier 4: Specialist targeted support commissioned by the Authority for Learners supported by a multi-disciplinary team. The Tender Document pack , including full details of the services required, can be viewed via the Authority's e-tendering Portal. https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The right to add additional tiers while the contract is valid.

Renewal: Initial term of two years with the option to extend in increments of up to two years. Maximum term of eight years.

Planning Information

Market Engagement Opportunity – Alternative Provision Providers 8th and 10th of July West Sussex County Council invite regulated and non-regulated alternative provision providers to engage with us on 8th July and 10th of July as we explore innovative partnerships to enhance educational outcomes for learners requiring tailored support. This notice IS NOT the commencement of the procurement procedure, neither is it a call for expressions of interest. This notice is released to gather more information to further inform our specification. This engagement aims to understand your unique offerings, service models, and how you can contribute to a diverse and flexible provision landscape. If you are passionate about delivering bespoke educational alternatives outside the mainstream framework and are eager to collaborate on future opportunities, we would like to hear from you. You are welcome to join us online to discuss needs, share insights, and shape pathways that empower learners to thrive. 8th of July from 12 to 2pm 10th of July from 3 to 5pm Email AlternativeProvisionReports@westsussex.gov.uk with the information below for each contact you would like the team to send you an invite for. Your name: Your email: Your position: Does your service currently provide AP in West Sussex Yes/No Organisation: Website: Please share a link to your website if you have one PLEASE NOTE The contract duration stated in this notice is the maximum possible

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052226
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061892-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£224,595,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£224,595,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£224,595,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
15 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
1 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
West Sussex 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
CHICHESTER
Postcode
PO19 1RQ
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Local Authority
Chichester
Electoral Ward
Chichester Central
Westminster Constituency
Chichester

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
48
Supplier Names

ABC EDUCATION LIMITED

ABYSS SCUBA SCHOOL CIC

ACKERMAN PIERCE EDUCATION LTD

ALL INCLUSIVE EDUCATION GROUP LTD

ANGLING 4 EDUCATION LIMITED

ANZUK EDUCATION LTD

ASEND LIMITED

ASPHALEIA LIMITED

ASPIRE FARM SCHOOL LTD

BE MY TUTOR LTD

BETTER EDSPACE LIMITED

BOSHAM TUTORS LTD

BRIGHTON FORWARD LTD

BRIGHTTEACH LTD

C&G EDUCATION LTD

CAY COLLEGE CIC

D L HAYES EDUCATION SERVICES LTD

EDUCATE U FUTURES LIMITED

ELITE TUTORS SUSSEX LTD

EQUINE PARTNERS CIO

FERRING COUNTRY CENTRE LIMITED

FLEET EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITED

FRESH START IN EDUCATION LIMITED

GAIA LEARNING LTD

HARD TO HUMAN LIMITED

KINDERS MTBC LTD

LEARN WITH CONFIDENCE LTD

LORICA TRUST LIMITED

NUDGE EDUCATION LIMITED

OAKS RISE CIC

OUTCOMES FIRST 4 LIMITED

OUTDOOR ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY SERVICES LTD

PEER PRODUCTIONS

PROSPERO GROUP LTD

SENSE LEARNING LIMITED

SERENMARIA LTD

SURREY CHOICES LTD

TARGETED PROVISION LTD

TEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITED

THE NATIONAL TEACHING & ADVISORY SERVICE LIMITED

THE READING DOCTOR LTD

THE RUSSELL MARTIN FOUNDATION

THE STABLES AT CISSBURY LIMITED

The Holly Project

Tute Education

UNICARE COMPLEX CARE SPECIALIST

WESTERLANDS FARM ENTERPRISES LIMITED

WITH GRASS ROOTS LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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