This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

06 Oct 2026 at 01:00

Tender

06 Dec 2024 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

Dumfries and Galloway Council established a flexible framework so schools can use Pupil Equity Funding to help close the poverty-related attainment gap. It covers pupil and family support across schools in Dumfries and Galloway: activity-based and creative learning, counselling and wellbeing, tutoring, mentoring, assessments, pupil and family workshops, community engagement, leadership, out-of-school clubs, work-related learning and other services. Providers may deliver activities such as sport, outdoor learning, music, drama, literacy and numeracy support, parental engagement and breakfast or holiday clubs. The requirement is divided into 15 service categories, allowing suppliers to offer a defined specialism rather than the full range. Schools contract with providers through the council’s framework.

The open-procedure framework has been awarded, with places given to multiple suppliers across 14 categories; the residential category has no recorded award. The selected providers include Formula Schools/Kayantics, Kids Gone Wild, UTD Sports, Barnardo’s, Do Learn, Horses4Help, National Numeracy, The Regulated Child, Giglets Education, Jane Stratton, Independent Living Support, Jim Buchanan Projects, My Happy Mind and Blueheart Counselling. The recorded contract value is £22,918,805 for each of 14 contracts; these figures are reported separately and should not be added together. Contracts were signed on 6 October 2026. The framework was described as an initial five-year term with an option for one 24-month extension, and it opens annually to new providers. Bids were assessed on meeting minimum standards (60%) and price (40%).

This framework demonstrates recurring school demand for specialist services that support learning and wellbeing, rather than a single general education supplier. It suits providers able to deliver a clearly defined offer across schools in Dumfries and Galloway, from counselling, family support and tutoring to creative, outdoor, community or work-related learning. The awards show that specialist and small providers can secure places alongside larger organisations, and that some categories have several framework suppliers while others have only one. To be credible when this requirement next comes to market, a supplier should be able to show that its service meets the council’s minimum standards and offers value for money. Relevant delivery experience with pupils, families or schools, and a practical approach to providing the chosen service across the local area, align with the scope of the framework.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) Flexible Framework

Notice Description

The Scottish Government has committed to providing additional funding in the form of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF), to schools as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme. This funding is allocated directly to schools and is aimed at closing the poverty related attainment gap. The aim of this framework agreement is to allow schools to contract compliantly with providers who will be able to support the pupil equity fund.

Lot Information

Counselling, Support & Advice Services

Providing services that provide professional assistance, guidance and support in resolving personal or psychological problems. Services may include but are not limited to group and/or one to one work with pupils or families, counselling, befriending, mediation and services to promote positive mental wellbeing.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Creative Engagement

Providing services that focuses on engaging pupils and learning through creative activities. Services may include but are not limited to, music, art, drama and dance.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

External Tutors - Additional Support

Providing services where external personnel offer additional support to pupils on a group or one to one basis. Services may include but are not limited to; resilience coaching, speech and language therapy, literacy and maths champions and Nurture support.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Pupil workshops

Providing services that engages pupils on a particular subject, activity or project through discussion, performance or participation in class(s)dedicated to the project or activity. Services may include but are not limited to mindfulness, yoga, confidence building, nutrition, diversity, health and wellbeing (physical and mental).

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Parental Support & Family Learning

Providing services that engage with parents and families to provide support to increase involvement in the pupil's learning. Services may include, but are not limited to, parental engagement workshops, leadership training, one to one sessions.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Community Engagement

Providing services that focuses on engaging pupils, parents/carers and the wider community in learning and will build and develop local capacity. Services provided should draw on existing interventions and community programmes to build a stronger local community based on local needs and aspirations.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Mentoring

Providing a service that focuses on the support and encouragement of pupils to manage their own learning in order that they may develop their learning skills, improve their academic performance and maximise their potential. Services may include, but are not limited to, additional support with academic studies, coaching, youth work and support and mentoring programs

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Educational Assessments

Providing support and assessment materials primarily in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing. Services may include, but are not limited to, standardised and diagnostic assessment and screening tools.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Educational leadership

Providing support and assessment materials primarily in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing. Services may include, but are not limited to, standardised and diagnostic assessment and screening tools.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Leadership for Pupils

Provide services that will develop leadership and team working skills in pupils of all ages and abilities across the local authority.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Developing the Young Workforce

Providing services that will assist schools in developing skills for learning, life and work in children and young people in the broad general education, particularly for those young people with barriers to learning and at risk of disengaging from education early. Services may include but are not limited to work-related learning experiences and involvement with families or employers.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Out of School Clubs

Providing services that provides a regulated club that offers a safe environment for children outside of school hours. Clubs often include the provision of food and some activities or social element. These may include but are not limited to breakfast, after school and holiday clubs.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Residential

at locations away from the educational environment

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Miscellaneous Services

This lot will provide for any service that does not easily fall into any of the categories above e.g., Pet Therapy, Bee Keeping, Massage-in-Schools

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Activity based Learning

Providing services that engages and encourages pupils to learn and develop through the participation in a range of learning activities and experiences. Services may include but are not limited to outdoor learning and sport and social activities.

Renewal: This will be an initial five year contract with the option of one two year extension

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000785189
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566027
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

48 - Software package and information systems

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

37000000 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

48520000 - Multimedia software package

48521000 - Music or sound editing software package

48931000 - Training software package

75121000 - Administrative educational services

80000000 - Education and training services

80100000 - Primary education services

80200000 - Secondary education services

80210000 - Technical and vocational secondary education services

80310000 - Youth education services

80340000 - Special education services

80400000 - Adult and other education services

80570000 - Personal development training services

80590000 - Tutorial services

85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312310 - Guidance services

85312320 - Counselling services

85312400 - Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions

85322000 - Community action programme

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

92340000 - Dance and performance entertainment services

92342000 - Dance-instruction services

92342100 - Ballroom dance-instruction services

92342200 - Discotheque dance-instruction services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

98330000 - Physical well-being services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£22,918,805 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
6 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
This flexible framework will open on an annual basis to allow new providers to submit bids to be awarded places on the framework

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Dumfries and Galloway 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
DUMFRIES
Postcode
DG1 2HP
Postcode Area
Dumfries and Galloway
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway
Delivery Location
TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway

Local Authority
Dumfries and Galloway
Electoral Ward
Nith
Westminster Constituency
Dumfries and Galloway

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
14
Supplier Names

Formula Schools LTD

Kids Gone Wild

UTD Sports Limited

Barnardo's

Kate Hookham

Horses4Help CIC

National Numeracy

The Regulated Child. Nicola McAllister Training and Consultancy

Giglets Education

Jane Stratton Tutor and Cognitive Learning Specialist

Independent Living Support

Jim Buchanan Projects

My Happy Mind Limited

Blueheart Counselling

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC519788
    Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) Flexible Framework - The Scottish Government has committed to providing additional funding in the form of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF), to schools as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme. This funding is allocated directly to schools and is aimed at closing the poverty related attainment gap. The aim of this framework agreement is to allow schools to contract compliantly with providers who will be able to support the pupil equity fund.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566027
    Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) Flexible Framework - The Scottish Government has committed to providing additional funding in the form of Pupil Equity Funding (PEF), to schools as part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge programme. This funding is allocated directly to schools and is aimed at closing the poverty related attainment gap. The aim of this framework agreement is to allow schools to contract compliantly with providers who will be able to support the pupil equity fund.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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