Tender

Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

08 Sep 2025 at 11:39

Tender

08 Sep 2025 at 11:32

Summary of the contracting process

Birmingham City Council has initiated a procurement process for establishing the Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA), intended to enhance educational services offered to children connected to social services. This contract falls under the "Training services" CPV category and is designed in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. The council is looking for service providers capable of delivering training services under a competitive flexible procedure. The process invites suppliers to bid by 8th October 2025, with key activities beginning on the 8th of December 2025. The agreement spans two years, with a potential two-year extension. The project's scope includes three lots focusing on educational staff, social care professionals, and families, all centred around Birmingham and possibly expanding into areas where children may be placed.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in training and development within educational and social care sectors. SMEs and VCSEs engaged in tailored learning and development, especially those experienced in delivering high-quality, bespoke training programmes, are well-placed to participate. The flexible nature of this agreement allows for adjustments and additional tender processes during the contract term, catering to evolving needs and ensuring ample market coverage. Birmingham City Council's emphasis on quality over pricing metrics encourages skilled providers to showcase innovation and superior service delivery in their submissions.

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Notice Title

Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)

Notice Description

Birmingham City Council (the "Council") wishes to establish a Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA) for Birmingham Virtual School (BVS) Training Services in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, applying the provisions for Light Touch Contracts as defined in Section 9 of the Act and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024. These provisions apply to certain social, health, and education services that are subject to more flexible procurement rules due to their direct impact on individuals and communities. The Training FCA will cover training for professionals in children's schools, social workers, families, carers, and other key stakeholders in Birmingham and any other local authorities where children may be placed. The Training FCA will serve as the primary channel for delivering training tailored to the needs of adults responsible for supporting the educational achievement of children known to a social worker. The programme is designed to equip these individuals including BVS staff, carers, guardians, adoptive parents, designated teachers, school staff, governors, social workers, and Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) with the essential knowledge and skills required to effectively promote the educational outcomes of children in care, previously looked after, or otherwise known to social services. The contract(s) being procured have been split into Lots, as follows. Lot 1: Training for staff at educational establishments and other professionals Lot 2: Training for Social Care Professionals Lot 3: Training for Parents, Carers and Family Members The Council reserves the right to reopen the procurement and conduct additional tender processes during the term of the FCA. This may be done to appoint new providers to the FCA where necessary to meet evolving service needs or ensure adequate market coverage. The Training Services FCA will be for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years (on a 1+1 basis) subject to performance and budget.

Lot Information

Training for staff at educational establishments and other professionals

To include a range of learning and development activities to meet the learning and development requirements of the staff at education establishments and other professionals. The learning and development activity provided must meet national and local standards, as well as any legislative requirements, and will be tailored to suit each key stage. Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples include initial and refresher training for designated teachers, school improvement training and training to support staff to develop their skills and knowledge to support children know to social care improve educational attainment and actively participate in educational pathways.

Renewal: With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Training for social care professionals

To include a range of learning and development activities for the adult social care workforce of Birmingham. This includes providing learning opportunities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Personal Education Plans (PEPs). The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices. Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from social workers includes Practical use of the ePEP system and Personal Education Plans and Pupil Premium Plus training.

Renewal: With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Training for parents, carers and family members

This will cover bespoke learning and development activities for parents, carers and family members. This includes providing learning opportunities to support them in helping children with learning at home and motivational techniques. The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices. Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from carers includes attachment awareness and trauma informed practice, emotion coaching, education basics and homework and learning in everyday situations.

Renewal: With an option to extend for a further two 12 months extensions subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0595c0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054620-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80500000 - Training services

80510000 - Specialist training services

80522000 - Training seminars

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
8 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
8 Dec 2025 - 7 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Commercial and Procurement Services
Contact Email
etendering@birmingham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B1 1BB
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

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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