Tender

Adult Learning Services - Light Touch Framework

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

02 Apr 2026 at 13:26

Planning

22 Jan 2026 at 15:40

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement contract posted by Liverpool City Council focuses on Adult Learning Services through a Light Touch Framework, under the category of education and training services in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The council aims to engage education providers for the delivery of high-quality learning programmes to adults aged 19 and over, prioritising those furthest from employment. Currently active in the tender stage, the procurement process involves an open procedure for a framework agreement. Businesses interested in participating should note key dates such as the enquiry period closing on 24th April 2026 and the tender period ending on 1st May 2026. The contract is valued at £9.6 million gross and covers services in Liverpool, with frameworks allowing for reopening competition during the contract period.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the education and training sector, particularly those specialising in adult learning, community engagement, and vocational programmes. The procurement process supports participation from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), encouraging a diverse array of bidders. Providers can leverage local insights and relationships within Liverpool communities to offer impactful educational solutions, thereby enhancing job prospects and wellbeing for learners. Thus, businesses skilled in delivering innovative educational services with measurable social and economic benefits stand to gain from this initiative by collaborating with Liverpool City Council's Adult Learning Services.

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Notice Title

Adult Learning Services - Light Touch Framework

Notice Description

This tender is to establish a Light Touch Framework for use by the Adult Learning Service, from which this Council Team, situated in the City Development portfolio, will procure high-quality education providers to prioritise its in-direct (subcontracted) delivery of learning provision to Liverpool adults, aged 19 and over. The Council recognises that the service it provides should respond to the diverse needs of local communities, and those with specific needs who are furthest away from learning and work, local employers and the Liverpool economy. The proposed delivery contributes to Pillar 2 of the Council Plan by engaging those furthest away from education and employment with: High quality and inclusive education, skills and employment. The Council is seeking to work with learning providers who share its vision of promoting the positive economic and social impacts of participation and progression in learning activities, such as increasing self-esteem, building confidence, gaining independence, improving wellbeing, developing work skills, supporting enterprise and enhancing employment prospects. Providers will be expected to engage, support and progress learners through the delivery of a range of innovative, high-quality learning programmes and provide pathways of progression to fulfil the potential of learners. The rationale for subcontracting is to: * engage residents, often living in some of Liverpool's most deprived wards, into local learning opportunities with clear intent. * progress learners onto further learning within the Council or other appropriate learning opportunities (funded by LCR CA or the Education and Skills Funding Agency), and/ or employment. * provide greater geographical reach into communities and engage those furthest away from education and employment. * build on the local knowledge of need and the relationship the provider has already established with residents, and in doing so, allow the Council to increase the support made available to them. * Provide first step learning opportunities to improve confidence to engaging in learning, reduce poverty, improve community cohesion and health and wellbeing. * build capacity within the voluntary and community sectors

Lot Information

Non-Accredited

To provide non-accredited or non-formal adult learning. This refers to structured, taught learning but differs from formal learning in that it does not lead to a qualification within the aims and objectives of the course. It is possible it will lead to a certificate of achievement or statement of attainment. * Introduction courses (e.g. Maths, English, ICT, ESOL) * Personal enrichment courses (e.g. personal development, instruction skills) * Work related (e.g. skill development, job search training)

Renewal: The initial contract will be for a period of 4 years with the option to extend in any combination of months/years at LCC discretion up to a further 4 year period.

Accredited

To provide structured educational or training programmes of learning that lead to a qualification. Most qualifications have a difficulty level. The higher the level, the more difficult the qualification is to achieve, and these are accredited by awarding bodies. This learning is designed to formally certify that a learner has achieved specific, pre-defined standards of knowledge, skills, and competencies. Some examples of types of non-accredited courses include: * Functional Skills (Maths, English and ICT,) * Vocational qualifications (Teaching Assistants, Early Years, Beauty, Interpreting, Volunteering, Catering and Textiles * Short programmes that support entry into employment (First Aid, Food Hygiene, Manual Handling)

Renewal: The initial contract will be for a period of 4 years with the option to extend in any combination of months/years at LCC discretion up to a further 4 year period.

Planning Information

There will be an online engagement event on the 12.2.2026 at 3pm. Please complete the engagement document and add the email address of anyone who would like to attend

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060c8d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030959-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Apr 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 May 20266 days to go
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
24 May 2026 - 24 May 2030 4-5 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
LIVERPOOL CITY 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
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1DS
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool

Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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