--- title: "Open Framework for Alternative Provision" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL" published: "2026-06-03" --- # Open Framework for Alternative Provision Buyer: WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd.json) ## Summary Westmorland and Furness Council has completed the procurement stage of creating an "Open Framework for Alternative Provision" tailored to ensure educational access and quality for children irrespective of their circumstances or settings. This initiative has been structured under an open procedure with a light-touch regime, compliant with relevant UK legislation and aligned with council priorities. The resulting framework has been subdivided into three categories or lots, addressing various educational needs: Lot 1 involves providers registered with Ofsted, Lot 2 covers unregistered providers, and Lot 3 focuses on provision for pupils unable to attend school due to medical conditions. Locations for service delivery are primarily across the UKD region in the United Kingdom, with activities under this framework set to commence on 15 June 2026 and extend until 31 December 2028, with options for renewal available. This procurement represents a considerable opportunity for businesses engaged in educational services, particularly those specialising in alternative provision and catering for special educational needs (SEN). SMEs and larger enterprises alike stand to benefit significantly, given the framework's focus on inclusive education and the opportunity for business growth through quality service delivery. The open procurement method allows registered and unregistered providers to bid for framework positions, enhancing competitive opportunities. Businesses with expertise in developing and delivering tailored educational programmes are particularly well-positioned to contribute to this programme, thereby securing long-term roles in the UK education landscape and aiding in the diversification and improvement of educational delivery through strategic partnerships with local authorities like Westmorland and Furness Council. ## Notice Service Description The vision for the service is to ensure that all children, regardless of circumstance or setting, receive a good education. The service therefore is committed to ensuring all alternative provision commissioned for a child or young person in Westmorland and Furness is of good quality, registered where appropriate, and delivered by high quality staff with suitable training, experience and safeguarding checks. All alternative provision that is commissioned must be suitable to a child or young person's age, ability and aptitude and any special educational needs (SEN) they may have. All children and young people will make good progress against outcomes, identified prior to the start of a placement with a Provider and will have access to meaningful qualifications. This will mean they are equipped to progress onto the next stage in their educational career and are enabled to participate and contribute positively to society in the future. Placements into alternative provision will always be made with the child or young person's reintegration back into mainstream education or move onto a sustained post-16 destination in mind. The placement of a child or young person with a Provider is consistent with the efficient use of resources. The following Services are in scope of this specification: Lot 1: Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body). This may include providers who are registered with Ofsted, but the category of their registration does not include learners to whom they are offering alternative provision. Lot 2: Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body) Lot 3: Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school. The Framework will be managed with providers being placed on either Provider List A or B. The criteria for being on each list is as follows: List A is for Registered Providers and therefore those applying to Lot 1 would be placed on this list. It is also possible those applying for Lot 3 could also be a registered provider and be placed on List A. List B is for Providers who are unregistered whether applying for Lot 2 and or Lot 3. ### Lot Information Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body). Renewal: The framework allows for 2 optional 12 month extensions. Please note* This UK 4 Tender Notice relates to the first initial framework of the Open Framework which was advertised using F02 contract notice and is a corrected publication in line with the notices required under PA23. Initial F02 Contract Notice published: identifier: 2025/S 000-043929, Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd The start date of contract for the initial first framework is the 01/02/2026. The second framework within the open framework has an estimated start date of 01/06/2026 Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body) Renewal: The framework allows for 2 optional 12 month extensions. Please note* This UK 4 Tender Notice relates to the first initial framework of the Open Framework which was advertised using F02 contract notice and is a corrected publication in line with the notices required under PA23. Initial F02 Contract Notice published: identifier: 2025/S 000-043929, Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd The start date of contract for the initial first framework is the 01/02/2026. The second framework within the open framework has an estimated start date of 01/06/2026 Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school. Renewal: The framework allows for 2 optional 12 month extensions. Please note* This UK 4 Tender Notice relates to the first initial framework of the Open Framework which was advertised using F02 contract notice and is a corrected publication in line with the notices required under PA23. Initial F02 Contract Notice published: identifier: 2025/S 000-043929, Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd The start date of contract for the initial first framework is the 01/02/2026. The second framework within the open framework has an estimated start date of 01/06/2026 ### Planning Information mplementing an Alternative Provision Framework at Westmorland and Furness Council Event 1: 15.00 - 16.00, Wednesday 9th July 2025 Event 2: 09.00 - 10.00, Thursday 10th July 2025 Event 3: 12.00 - 13.00, Friday 11th July 2025 Location - MS Teams Westmorland & Furness Council is implementing an Alternative Provision Framework and are holding a series of events to seek feedback from those providers who may be interested in joining the framework. The Council is keen to engage with Alternative Provision organisations who are based within, or close to, the Westmorland and Furness Local Authority area. Providers are invited to attend one of the virtual events detailed above. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052188-2026 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Large, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 3 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | 10 Apr 2026 | | Future notice date | 22 Jul 2025 | | Award date | 19 Apr 2026 | | Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 | | Recurrence | 2028-01-31 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £11,500,000 | | Lots value | £11,500,000 | | Awards value | £2,300,000 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | WESTMORLAND AND FURNESS COUNCIL | | Locality | KENDAL | | Post town | Lancaster | | Postcode | LA9 4DQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria | | ITL 3 | TLD14 Westmorland and Furness | | Local authority | Westmorland and Furness | | Electoral ward | Kendal Strickland and Fell | | Westminster constituency | Westmorland and Lonsdale | | Delivery location | TLD North West (England), TLD12 East Cumbria | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 15 | | Supplier names | 33 RECRUITMENT; CATCH-UP ACADEMY; DRAGON FOOTBALL ACADEMY; EDCLASS; HOME TUTORING; MENTIS D; MIGHTY OAK INITIATIVE; NUDGE EDUCATION; PROGRESS SCHOOLS; STUDY MIND; TARGETED PROVISION; THE NATIONAL TEACHING & ADVISORY SERVICE; THE OAKLEA TRUST; TOTALLY RAD SCHOOLS LIMITED TRADING AS MY MUSIC LESSONS; TUTE EDUCATION | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 3 Jun 2026 at 09:17 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052188-2026 - 13 Mar 2026 at 09:49 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022717-2026 - 10 Mar 2026 at 15:55 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021461-2026 - 11 Aug 2025 at 11:13 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047602-2025 - 11 Aug 2025 at 11:07 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047596-2025 - 29 Jul 2025 at 13:56 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043929-2025 - 29 Jul 2025 at 13:05 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043886-2025 - 1 Jul 2025 at 13:14 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036441-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052188-2026 3rd June 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022717-2026 13th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021461-2026 10th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043886-2025 29th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036441-2025 1st July 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - www.the-chest.org.uk ## Notice URLs - http://www.dragongrp.co.uk - http://www.educ8sen.co.uk - http://www.myschoolmusiclessons.co.uk/ - http://www.ntas.org.uk - http://www.nudgeeducation.co.uk - http://www.oakleatrust.co.uk - http://www.progressscholls.co.uk - http://www.targetedprovision.com - http://www.the-chest.gov.uk - http://www.thecatchupacademy.co.uk - http://www.tute.com - http://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk - https://studymind.co.uk - https://studymind.co.uk/alternative-provision-tutoring/ - https://www.edclass.com/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.mightyoakinitiative.org/ - https://www.tutordoctor.co.uk/lancaster-morecambe/ - https://www.westmorlandandfurness.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-0556cd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556cd.json.