North West SEND Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) and Alternative Provision

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0547f9-2025-06-12T16:06:18+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-12T16:06:18+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0547f9",
    "description": "This is advance notice of our intention to open Round 7 of this Flexible Purchasing System. We value the work that external providers do in supporting children in the region and our aim is to ensure that the North West authorities can find the best external provision for children with educational needs. We want to ensure that as many providers as possible are able to join the purchasing system and remain on the contract over its lifetime To support providers wanting to join the purchasing system we are holding two information sessions as below. These are open to anyone offering Independent Special School or College places or Alternative Provision to North West authorities. Providers already on the SEND FPS need not attend. Please register for the sessions using the links below. The content in the sessions is different so we would recommend registering for and attending on both dates. Pre Round 7 information session 3 July 2025: Teams Will look at how providers can prepare for the upcoming opportunity and what the expectations will be if they apply to join. Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/aa7ebfab-bbde-47b5-bca3-946f148e4d0c@a05ef69e-6149-4fba-a40c-df338810f644 Round 7 information session 9 October 2025: Teams Recap on the requirements of the tender process and opportunity to answer questions once the documents are published. Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/07087907-0b84-4c06-ada4-aa9cc1df0bd0@a05ef69e-6149-4fba-a40c-df338810f644",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "DN505426",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "North West SEND Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) and Alternative Provision",
        "status": "planned",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "80000000",
            "description": "Education and training services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "Placements North West in conjunction with Cheshire East Council are inviting new providers to join the North West Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) for SEND to provide North West Contracting Authorities with a route for placing 0-25 year old learners with SEND into education provision. The services covered in this FPS are for Children and Young People aged up to 25 in independent and non-maintained schools, colleges, specialist Post 16 Institutions, General Further Education (GFE) and Independent Learning Providers for Learners 16 - 25 years who have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) and those who require access to Alternative Provision to support educational outcomes. The (FPS) will facilitate the Local Authorities of the North West to purchase these services from the Supplier through a Call Off Contract comprising an Individual Placement Agreement (IPA) or Block Contract subject to the terms and conditions of the FPS and those of the Call Off Contract. The provision must be able to meet the objectives established in the Learner's Education, Health and Care Plan or within the IPA and services should be provided in compliance with all relevant statutory requirements, including timescales, and any requirements of the Regulatory Body. The following Services are in scope of the FPS: I. Lot 1: 0-16 Day education placement II. Lot 2: Education with 38 week residential placement III. Lot 3: Education with 52 week residential placement IV. Lot 4: 16+ Day Education Placement V. Lot 5: 16+ Education with Residential Placements VI. Lot 6: Alternative Provision* - Registered Setting VII. Lot 7: Alternative Provision* - Unregistered Setting *Alternative Provision as defined by the Department for Education In delivery of these services, the Provider shall operate fully in accordance with all relevant Acts of Parliament, amendment or re-enactment of any Act, Statutory Regulation, and other such laws and statutory guidance, as may affect the provision of education, health and care specified under the Contract All services available under the FPS will be available to be called off by the 31 Contracting Authorities in the North West region. The regional FPS which will provide consistent quality standards, streamline processes, improve communication and encourage innovation.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "0-16 Day education placement",
                "description": "0-16 Day education placement - Registered provision The Provider will create an environment in which the Services operate that has continuous improvement at its core. Services will be flexible, responsive and creative, in order to deliver provision that meets the needs of the Learner. Ofsted (or an equivalent body approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008) inspection reports will be used as one of the key quality measures for this framework. The Provider will deliver education and/or training appropriate to the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the Learner in accordance with their EHC Plan or Annual Review (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). The Provider will deliver a programme of education and activities which meet the Learner's outcomes, as stated in their EHC Plan or annual review paperwork (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). This will include supporting the Learner to work towards qualifications that meet their ability and demonstrate the Learner is making academic progression or acquiring skills. The Provider will endeavour to ensure the Learner does not repeat qualifications or courses. The service specification sets out the outcomes the Provider will be expected to deliver in respect of: * the service overall (the Outcomes), and * individual placements (the Individual Outcomes). In respect of the service overall, the Provider will be expected to participate fully in the North West Performance Monitoring and Outcomes Framework, providing the required data and key performance indicators (in the format requested by the placing authorities) In respect of individual placements, the Provider will be expected to work with the Placing Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the Learner and meet the objectives as described in the Education, Health and Care Plan accompanying each placement. The North West local authorities are committed to collaboration, co-production and best practice with Parents/ Carers and Providers, to ensure the regional contract remains fit for purpose. This FPS will be regularly reviewed by the North West Regional Governance Group to ensure that the required outcomes are being delivered and further developments and innovation are included. The Provider will be required to meet the requisite accommodation standards and requirements for children's homes specified within the Children and Young People's Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System.",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "title": "0-16 Education with 38 week residential placement",
                "description": "0-16 Education with 38 week residential placement. Registered provision. The Provider will create an environment in which the Services operate that has continuous improvement at its core. Services will be flexible, responsive and creative, in order to deliver provision that meets the needs of the Learner. Ofsted (or an equivalent body approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008) inspection reports will be used as one of the key quality measures for this framework. The Provider will deliver education and/or training appropriate to the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the Learner in accordance with their EHC Plan or Annual Review (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). The Provider will deliver a programme of education and activities which meet the Learner's outcomes, as stated in their EHC Plan or annual review paperwork (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). This will include supporting the Learner to work towards qualifications that meet their ability and demonstrate the Learner is making academic progression or acquiring skills. The Provider will endeavour to ensure the Learner does not repeat qualifications or courses. The service specification sets out the outcomes the Provider will be expected to deliver in respect of: * the service overall (the Outcomes), and * individual placements (the Individual Outcomes). In respect of the service overall, the Provider will be expected to participate fully in the North West Performance Monitoring and Outcomes Framework, providing the required data and key performance indicators (in the format requested by the placing authorities) In respect of individual placements, the Provider will be expected to work with the Placing Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the Learner and meet the objectives as described in the Education, Health and Care Plan accompanying each placement. The North West local authorities are committed to collaboration, co-production and best practice with Parents/ Carers and Providers, to ensure the regional contract remains fit for purpose. This FPS will be regularly reviewed by the North West Regional Governance Group to ensure that the required outcomes are being delivered and further developments and innovation are included. The Provider will be required to meet the requisite accommodation standards and requirements for children's homes specified within the Children and Young People's Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System.",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "title": "0-16 Education with 52 week residential placement",
                "description": "0-16 Education with 52 week residential placement. Registered provision. The Provider will create an environment in which the Services operate that has continuous improvement at its core. Services will be flexible, responsive and creative, in order to deliver provision that meets the needs of the Learner. Ofsted (or an equivalent body approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008) inspection reports will be used as one of the key quality measures for this framework. The Provider will deliver education and/or training appropriate to the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the Learner in accordance with their EHC Plan or Annual Review (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). The Provider will deliver a programme of education and activities which meet the Learner's outcomes, as stated in their EHC Plan or annual review paperwork (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). This will include supporting the Learner to work towards qualifications that meet their ability and demonstrate the Learner is making academic progression or acquiring skills. The Provider will endeavour to ensure the Learner does not repeat qualifications or courses. The service specification sets out the outcomes the Provider will be expected to deliver in respect of: * the service overall (the Outcomes), and * individual placements (the Individual Outcomes). In respect of the service overall, the Provider will be expected to participate fully in the North West Performance Monitoring and Outcomes Framework, providing the required data and key performance indicators (in the format requested by the placing authorities) In respect of individual placements, the Provider will be expected to work with the Placing Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the Learner and meet the objectives as described in the Education, Health and Care Plan accompanying each placement. The North West local authorities are committed to collaboration, co-production and best practice with Parents/ Carers and Providers, to ensure the regional contract remains fit for purpose. This FPS will be regularly reviewed by the North West Regional Governance Group to ensure that the required outcomes are being delivered and further developments and innovation are included. The Provider will be required to meet the requisite accommodation standards and requirements for children's homes specified within the Children and Young People's Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System.",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "title": "16+ Day Education Placement",
                "description": "16+ Day Education Placement. Registered provision. The Provider will create an environment in which the Services operate that has continuous improvement at its core. Services will be flexible, responsive and creative, in order to deliver provision that meets the needs of the Learner. Ofsted (or an equivalent body approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008) inspection reports will be used as one of the key quality measures for this framework. The Provider will deliver education and/or training appropriate to the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the Learner in accordance with their EHC Plan or Annual Review (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). The Provider will deliver a programme of education and activities which meet the Learner's outcomes, as stated in their EHC Plan or annual review paperwork (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). This will include supporting the Learner to work towards qualifications that meet their ability and demonstrate the Learner is making academic progression or acquiring skills. The Provider will endeavour to ensure the Learner does not repeat qualifications or courses. The service specification sets out the outcomes the Provider will be expected to deliver in respect of: * the service overall (the Outcomes), and * individual placements (the Individual Outcomes). In respect of the service overall, the Provider will be expected to participate fully in the North West Performance Monitoring and Outcomes Framework, providing the required data and key performance indicators (in the format requested by the placing authorities) In respect of individual placements, the Provider will be expected to work with the Placing Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the Learner and meet the objectives as described in the Education, Health and Care Plan accompanying each placement. The North West local authorities are committed to collaboration, co-production and best practice with Parents/ Carers and Providers, to ensure the regional contract remains fit for purpose. This FPS will be regularly reviewed by the North West Regional Governance Group to ensure that the required outcomes are being delivered and further developments and innovation are included. The Provider will be required to meet the requisite accommodation standards and requirements for children's homes specified within the Children and Young People's Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System.",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
                "title": "16+ Education with Residential Placements",
                "description": "16+ Education with Residential Placements. Registered provision. The Provider will create an environment in which the Services operate that has continuous improvement at its core. Services will be flexible, responsive and creative, in order to deliver provision that meets the needs of the Learner. Ofsted (or an equivalent body approved by the Secretary of State for Education under section 106 of the Education and Skills Act 2008) inspection reports will be used as one of the key quality measures for this framework. The Provider will deliver education and/or training appropriate to the age, ability, aptitude and special educational needs of the Learner in accordance with their EHC Plan or Annual Review (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). The Provider will deliver a programme of education and activities which meet the Learner's outcomes, as stated in their EHC Plan or annual review paperwork (whichever is most up to date for the Learner). This will include supporting the Learner to work towards qualifications that meet their ability and demonstrate the Learner is making academic progression or acquiring skills. The Provider will endeavour to ensure the Learner does not repeat qualifications or courses. The service specification sets out the outcomes the Provider will be expected to deliver in respect of: * the service overall (the Outcomes), and * individual placements (the Individual Outcomes). In respect of the service overall, the Provider will be expected to participate fully in the North West Performance Monitoring and Outcomes Framework, providing the required data and key performance indicators (in the format requested by the placing authorities) In respect of individual placements, the Provider will be expected to work with the Placing Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the Learner and meet the objectives as described in the Education, Health and Care Plan accompanying each placement. The North West local authorities are committed to collaboration, co-production and best practice with Parents/ Carers and Providers, to ensure the regional contract remains fit for purpose. This FPS will be regularly reviewed by the North West Regional Governance Group to ensure that the required outcomes are being delivered and further developments and innovation are included. The Provider will be required to meet the requisite accommodation standards and requirements for children's homes specified within the Children and Young People's Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System.",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "6",
                "title": "Alternative Provision - Registered Setting",
                "description": "Alternative Provision - Registered Setting",
                "status": "planned"
            },
            {
                "id": "7",
                "title": "Alternative Provision - Unregistered Setting",
                "description": "Alternative Provision - Unregistered Setting",
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80000000",
                        "description": "Education and training services"
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                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80000000",
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                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "2"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
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                        "description": "Education and training services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
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                        "region": "UKD"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "3"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80000000",
                        "description": "Education and training services"
                    }
                ],
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                        "region": "UKD"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "4"
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
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                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80000000",
                        "description": "Education and training services"
                    }
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                "relatedLot": "5"
            },
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                        "scheme": "CPV",
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                        "description": "Education and training services"
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                ],
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                        "region": "UKD"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "6"
            },
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                "id": "7",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80000000",
                        "description": "Education and training services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "7"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-09-30T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-140931",
            "name": "Cheshire East Council",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Cheshire East Council",
                "noIdentifierRationale": "notOnAnyRegister"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Delamere House, Delamere Street",
                "locality": "Crewe",
                "region": "UKD",
                "postalCode": "CW12JZ",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Tracy Roberts",
                "telephone": "+44 1270686973",
                "email": "tracy.roberts@cheshireeast.gov.uk",
                "url": "https://www.the-chest.org.uk/"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "REGIONAL_AUTHORITY",
                        "description": "Regional or local authority"
                    },
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                        "scheme": "COFOG",
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                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-140931",
        "name": "Cheshire East Council"
    },
    "language": "en"
}