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Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Devon County Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

28 Sep 2026 at 14:34

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Devon County Council is seeking providers of independent and alternative education support for children and young people in Devon. The work is divided into four areas: pre-16 school placements and post-16 settings or college placements for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP); bespoke alternative education packages for children whose EHCP names education otherwise than at school (EOTAS); and packages to help children return to school or move to another education setting. The placements are with independent or non-maintained special schools, or independent post-16 providers. The alternative provision lots cover tailored support rather than school placements. Delivery is across Devon. This is education and training work, with a health and social care element.

The buyer invited offers through an open procedure to establish the third framework in an open-framework scheme. Bids were due by 10 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC; enquiries were due by 3 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC, and the intended award decision date was 22 December 2026. The four lots have separate estimated values: pre-16 placements £357,063,000; post-16 placements £163,437,000; EOTAS alternative provision £59,179,170; and reintegration provision £34,310,830, all excluding VAT. Each lot is assessed on quality alone. The initial contract periods run from 28 January 2027 to 4 January 2028. Placements and work packages under the framework may be awarded through mini-competitions or direct awards. Framework inclusion does not guarantee business or a particular contract value.

The opportunity suits independent schools, independent special schools and non-maintained special schools able to provide pre-16 placements, as well as independent post-16 settings, special schools and colleges serving learners with SEND and EHCPs. Providers of tailored alternative education may be suited to the EOTAS lot if they can deliver support that forms part of a statutory EHCP; providers with capability to support a return to school or transition to another setting may fit the reintegration lot. Small and medium-sized businesses are considered suitable across all four lots. The framework is designed to admit providers at successive entry points, giving suppliers another route to join later. Competition is based entirely on quality, so providers should be able to demonstrate the quality and relevance of their education or support offer. Successful bidders enter a framework agreement, but placements are awarded separately.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Notice Description

Devon County Council will be setting up an open framework (Framework Three) for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon. The framework will comprise the following Lots: Lot 1a - Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools. Lot 1b - Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan(EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges. Lot 2a - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Lot 2b - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Lot Information

Pre-16 Education Placements

Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools

Post-16 Education Placements

Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.

Alternative Education Provision (EOTAS)

Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Alternative Education Provision (Reintegration)

Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077b9f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091483-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£613,990,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£613,990,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
28 Jan 2027 - 4 Jan 2028 6-12 months
Recurrence
2027-09-20

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Devon 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
EXETER,
Postcode
EX2 4QD
Postcode Area
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Newtown and St Leonard's
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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