Planning

Soft Market Test for Pre 16 Vocational course

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

16 Jun 2025 at 09:55

Planning

02 Jun 2025 at 14:30

Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement opportunity titled "Soft Market Test for Pre 16 Vocational Course," focused on the education and training services industry. This initiative is aimed at enhancing educational provisions for pupils in Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) who are at risk of exclusion from mainstream schooling due to behavioural or Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) issues. The procurement process, valued at £2,000,000, is set to launch services across multiple locations in Cornwall from 1st September 2025, with a potential contract period extending to 2028. A crucial milestone in this planning phase is the soft market assessment, with responses due by 12 noon on 18th June 2025. This phase seeks to identify suitable partners from sectors including the Voluntary, NHS, Independent, and private sectors, capable of providing vocational training services tailored to this demographic.

This procurement opportunity presents significant growth potential for businesses within the education and training services sector, particularly those skilled in delivering vocational courses such as Hair and Beauty, Construction, and Catering and Hospitality. Companies that can offer flexible course delivery and possess staff with the appropriate qualifications and training will find themselves well-suited to engage in this tender. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, given their potential to provide innovative and scalable solutions tailored to pupils' needs. The engagement offers an avenue to forge strong partnerships with Cornwall Council, supporting not only immediate educational outcomes but also long-term improvements in student engagement and employability skills.

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Notice Title

Soft Market Test for Pre 16 Vocational course

Notice Description

https://procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/View?advertId=c67f6562-293d-f011-8136-005056b64545&fromAdvertEvent=True Cornwall Council wants to work together with partner(s) to provide the best education provision for pupils who are at risk of being excluded from mainstream school due to behavioural and/or Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) reasons. A significant number of pupils are struggling to attend school, many due to emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) and these pupils are at risk of being suspended and excluded from mainstream education. A high proportion of these pupils are in Year 10 or 11 which is crucial time to secure a pathway to Post-16 education or employment. There is a recognition for a varied curriculum which will help these pupils to engage in education and provide a base for Post-16 qualifications whilst enabling them to continue to access education and take their GCSEs in English and Mathematics. Cornwall Council are looking to work together with partner(s) to provide a vocational offer which will support these pupils to not only continue their learning, but also to reduce the risk of suspensions and exclusions and provide a clear pathway of education from Key Stage 4 through to Post-16. Cornwall Council Piloted a Pre 16 vocational course in the West of the county. The incumbent provider has been running a pilot throughout the school years 2023-24 and 2024-2025 and the reported results have been positive. The current provision consists of a 3-day vocational education where the pupil remains on roll at their base school to complete their Maths and English GCSEs 2 days per week. The pilot caters for 15 young people in Key stage 4 (years 10 to 11). Who are places in 3 cohorts, sizes are dependant on the need of the pupils. Due to the pilot being successful. Cornwall Council wish to formally identify any potentially interested parties that are able to meet the requirement and have suitable locations throughout Cornwall ready to commence the service on 1st September 2025. Cornwall council would like for the provision to offer 36 - 54 placements for pupils from Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) across 3 sites, ensuring a fair geographical spread of the service across Cornwall. The offers should * Provide Vocational courses, of which the subjects are to be in line with the pupils' post 16 study. * be broad, balanced, stimulating, relevant curriculum. * Be flexible with cohort sizes and ensure that they place pupils depending on their needs and support. * Support Pupils to consistently attend the Vocational course and increase attendance at the Base School on the relevant days to demonstrate that overall attendance has improved since the intervention. * Provide a minimum of one of tutor who is appropriately skilled and trained in the subject, and one teaching assistant per cohort of students. * Provide staff who are appropriately qualified to deliver the type of course and subjects. * Ensure staff following an appropriate selection process and will only commence their duties once all legislative and DBS checks have been undertaken. * Support Yr. 11 Pupils to achieve an accredited Level 1 qualification in their chosen post 16 subject. * Provide a clear pathway for Yr. 11 students to move into Post-16 provision. * Fulfil OFSTED minimum requirements for educational settings. * Have a Behaviour and Discipline Strategy that promotes a positive behaviour support ethos throughout. * Support and develop Young People's employability skills: post 16 destinations will reflect this, whether into further education or accredited training within employment. Courses can include but not restricted to: Hair and Beauty Construction Mechanics Tourism Sport Catering and Hospitality Horticulture Referrals for the provision will be through Cornwall councils Belonging team, to ensure the correct placements and support are put in place.

Planning Information

https://procontract.due-north.com/Procurer/Advert/View?advertId=c67f6562-293d-f011-8136-005056b64545&fromAdvertEvent=True Cornwall Council is conducting a soft market assessment to gain an understanding of the potential level of interest across the Voluntary, NHS, Independent and private sector for the provision of increased key worker capacity through Registered Social landlords. It is intended that the responses supplied will enable the Council to develop a business proposal. Any such proposal would be subject to the development and approval of a business case, and, as such, this exercise implies no commercial commitment. This is not a formal tender document. Participation of this soft market assessment will not prejudice suppliers participating in any future procurement. If you are interested in this area of service provision and also helping with our assessment of the market, please complete the "Information Required" section at the end of this notice along with any additional information you consider to be relevant and return this via the Due North system by 12 noon on 18th June 2025

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-052adf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032505-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 1 Sep 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CORNWALL COUNCIL
Contact Name
Mrs Christine Stone
Contact Email
christine.stone@cornwall.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+441872722222

Buyer Location

Locality
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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