--- title: "STA-0326 Inclusion Experts Framework 2024 - 2026" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY" published: "2024-04-15" --- # STA-0326 Inclusion Experts Framework 2024 - 2026 Buyer: SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b9b8a3ae-9aef-4d1e-8209-5867fcaa414b.json) ## Summary The Standards and Testing Agency (STA) is tendering for the provision of Inclusion Experts Framework 2024 - 2026. This opportunity is in the education and training services category, specifically focusing on ensuring the inclusivity of national curriculum tests for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. The buying organisation, the Skills Funding Agency, based in COVENTRY, England, is seeking expertise in various fields such as autism spectrum disorders, English as an additional language, and equity and diversity representation. The closing date for all bids is 5 June 2024 at 12:00, with clarification questions accepted until 22 May 2024 at 12:00. This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialised in inclusion and diversity services to engage with the Standards and Testing Agency. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate in this open procedure below the threshold. Companies with prior experience in working with children with special educational needs, diverse backgrounds, and underrepresented groups will find this tender well-suited for their expertise. The contract period for this engagement is from 2nd September 2024 to 31st August 2026, allowing selected businesses to establish long-term partnerships with the buying organisation. ## Notice The Standards and Testing Agency (STA), an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE) is looking to recruit a pool of Inclusion Experts with a range of specialisms to ensure that the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests it develops are inclusive and accessible for all. The national curriculum tests include the Reception Baseline Assessment, Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, English reading test (key stage 1 and key stage 2), English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (key stage 1 and key stage 2) and mathematics test (key stage 1 and key stage 2). As part of the process of developing all assessments, STA includes an Inclusion Review to ensure that our test materials are accessible to children with a range of special educational needs, that they are representative of our diverse society and free from stereotypes or any form of bias. The inclusion reviews are carried out by experts with significant knowledge and experience of working with children with a broad range of sensory and learning disabilities, including experts in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), visual impairments, hearing impairments, dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, behavioural and language development etc. Expertise is also required in working with pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). The Equity, Representation and Diversity advisors ensure that the materials show a range of ethnic, religious and social groups in positive and non-stereotypical ways. The reviewers provide thorough and detailed feedback on the test materials that are in development. Following this feedback, we alter or remove any texts / items that may pose unfair challenges to children with protected characteristics. STA is looking for individuals or organisations with strong knowledge, expertise and prior experience of working within the field of inclusion and diversity. The specific fields for which we require specialists include: * Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) * English as an additional language (EAL) * Hearing impairments (HI) * Language development and communication (including dyslexia) * Visual Impairments (VI) * Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - SEND (including physical disabilities and behavioural development) * Equity, representation and diversity advisors For the Equity, representation and diversity review, we would encourage representatives from, or people with a proven track record in advocating for, any: * ethnicity * religion and belief * socio-economic status * gender * sexuality * disability * groups with protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act, 2010. Please note that the closing date for all bids is 5 June 2024 at 12:00 and any clarification questions must be received no later than 22 May 2024 at 12:00. For more information, please see the invitation to tender (ITT) attachment for the Provision of Inclusion Expert resource for the Standards and Testing Agency (ref: STA-0326). ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e5b6ba6-e6e9-4138-a042-5962b384ad17 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Apr 2024 | | Submission deadline | 5 Jun 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | SKILLS FUNDING AGENCY | | Locality | COVENTRY | | Post town | Coventry | | Postcode | CV1 2WT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG33 Coventry | | Local authority | Coventry | | Electoral ward | St Michael's | | Westminster constituency | Coventry South | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 15 Apr 2024 at 13:40 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e5b6ba6-e6e9-4138-a042-5962b384ad17 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8e5b6ba6-e6e9-4138-a042-5962b384ad17 15th April 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8ca6daed-c7c0-4fc2-8a3e-8d5ab7c69268 Invitation to Tender (ITT) ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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