---
title: "WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-052226"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052226"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052226.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052226.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-12-05"
---

# WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP)

Buyer: WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-052226

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052226)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052226.json)

## Summary

West Sussex County Council, a sub-central public authority based in Chichester, United Kingdom, is overseeing the procurement process for the WSCC Independent Alternative Provision (IAP). This tender falls under the education and training services category and the procurement is currently in the tender stage. The process employs an open procedure and operates within a light-touch regime. The tender document pack is accessible via the Council's e-tendering portal. Key dates include the submission deadline, which has been extended to 15th December 2025, and the planned award period running until 20th February 2026. This tender involves a framework agreement permanently open with quarterly evaluations to secure alternative educational provisions.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for providers of Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) to engage in a valuable framework aimed at enhancing education for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The framework has tiers available for application that address various aspects such as intervention for learners at risk of placement breakdown and targeted specialist support. The framework prioritises quality, with the award criteria focusing entirely on this aspect, thus favouring suppliers who can demonstrate exceptional educational services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), are particularly encouraged to compete, offering a substantial platform for business growth and partnership with West Sussex County Council in shaping tailor-made educational solutions.

## Notice

The Authority is committed to ensuring access to high-quality education for all Learners, in line with statutory duties under the Education Act. To achieve this, we commission Independent Alternative Provision (IAP) to complement mainstream education, provide short-term interventions, and deliver Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) packages where appropriate. This Framework will operate in addition to the Authority's commissioned placements at the Ofsted-regulated West Sussex Alternative Provision College (APC), which offers full-time education. The Framework aims to secure safe, high-quality Alternative Provision that: acts as an intervention, not a destination; supports timely reintegration and/or transition of Learners into long-term education, training, or employment; and meets the individual needs of Learners, particularly Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) with a particular demand on provisions supporting Learners with Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Autism. The Framework has been updated to align with the Non-School Alternative Provision Voluntary National Standards (August 2025), ensuring Suppliers meet nationally recognized benchmarks for quality and safeguarding. Structure of the Framework This opportunity does not include separate Lots. Suppliers may apply for one or more Tiers and can request to add additional Tiers at any point during the Framework term. Tier 1: Provision commissioned by schools for Learners at risk of placement breakdown (e.g., short-term intervention to maintain engagement). Tier 2: Transitional placements commissioned by the Authority while seeking a permanent education setting. Tier 3: Provision commissioned by the Authority for Learners with an agreed EOTAS package. Tier 4: Specialist targeted support commissioned by the Authority for Learners supported by a multi-disciplinary team. The Tender Document pack , including full details of the services required, can be viewed via the Authority's e-tendering Portal. https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The right to add additional tiers while the contract is valid.

Renewal: Initial term of two years with the option to extend in increments of up to two years. Maximum term of eight years.

### Planning Information

Market Engagement Opportunity – Alternative Provision Providers 8th and 10th of July West Sussex County Council invite regulated and non-regulated alternative provision providers to engage with us on 8th July and 10th of July as we explore innovative partnerships to enhance educational outcomes for learners requiring tailored support. This notice IS NOT the commencement of the procurement procedure, neither is it a call for expressions of interest. This notice is released to gather more information to further inform our specification. This engagement aims to understand your unique offerings, service models, and how you can contribute to a diverse and flexible provision landscape. If you are passionate about delivering bespoke educational alternatives outside the mainstream framework and are eager to collaborate on future opportunities, we would like to hear from you. You are welcome to join us online to discuss needs, share insights, and shape pathways that empower learners to thrive. 8th of July from 12 to 2pm 10th of July from 3 to 5pm Email AlternativeProvisionReports@westsussex.gov.uk with the information below for each contact you would like the team to send you an invite for. Your name: Your email: Your position: Does your service currently provide AP in West Sussex Yes/No Organisation: Website: Please share a link to your website if you have one PLEASE NOTE The contract duration stated in this notice is the maximum possible

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080010-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Dec 2025 |
| Future notice date | 15 Sep 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Mar 2026 - 28 Feb 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £224,595,000 |
| Lots value | £224,595,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CHICHESTER |
| Post town | Portsmouth |
| Postcode | PO19 1RQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex |
| ITL 3 | TLJ27 West Sussex (South West) |
| Local authority | Chichester |
| Electoral ward | Chichester Central |
| Westminster constituency | Chichester |
| Delivery location | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services

## Release History

- 5 Dec 2025 at 10:09 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080010-2025
- 13 Nov 2025 at 15:28 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073641-2025
- 20 Jun 2025 at 07:45 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033898-2025
- 23 May 2025 at 11:32 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026210-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080010-2025
  5th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073641-2025
  13th November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033898-2025
  20th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026210-2025
  23rd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- https://atamis-7669.my.site.com/s/Welcome

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.westsussex.gov.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-052226. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-052226.json.