CCS061 Framework for Alternative Education Provision in Derbyshire
Derbyshire County Council · Local authority
In brief
Derbyshire County Council is looking for suppliers for training and education work (East Midlands).
It is a framework worth up to £160,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.
The contract runs for 2 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 1 June 2027.
It is split into 5 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.
The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Bids close at 11am, Wednesday 30 September 2026.
Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.
Can I win this?
Key dates
- Questions by
- 4pm, Friday 18 September 2026
- Bids by
- 11am, Wednesday 30 September 2026
How bids are scored
Quality 70% · Price 30%
Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.
Competition
Usually high: a median of 11.5 bids per contract for this buyer (from 22 awards in the last 12 months).
Framework
Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £160,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.
Tender documents
The buyer expects to buy this again around June 2028.
What the notice says
Should I bid?
Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.
How to bid
- Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
- Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
- Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: www.eastmidstenders.org.
- Send clarification questions before 4pm, Friday 18 September 2026.
- Make sure your bid arrives before 11am, Wednesday 30 September 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.
Lots
| Lot | Trade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Lot A - Preventative & Early Intervention 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029 What this lot coversTo provide short-term, structured interventions that prevent escalation of need and support pupils to remain engaged in mainstream education. This Lot focuses on early intervention for CYP in KS1 through to KS4, and post 16 who are at risk of disengagement due to low-level SEMH needs or Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). The provision is aimed at: (a) Preventing escalation to higher-tier or statutory provision (b) Stabilising attendance and engagement in school (c) Addressing early-stage SEMH and EBSA concerns (d) Supporting emotional regulation and resilience through targeted interventions (e) Enhancing family engagement and collaboration with schools (f) Strengthening inclusion practices within mainstream settings (g) Pupils who are still on roll at mainstream schools but require additional support to maintain engagement | Training, Education services | £160,000,000 |
| Lot B: Targeted Short-Term Provision 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029 What this lot coversTo provide time-limited, structured interventions that support pupils at risk of exclusion to remain in, or return to, mainstream education, including CYP in KS1 through to KS4, and post 16. This Lot focuses on short-term placements (typically 6-12 weeks) designed to re-engage learners, improve behaviour, stabilise attendance, and facilitate successful reintegration into mainstream education. Provision supports CYP who are at risk of exclusion or unable to sustain a mainstream placement, including those who: (a) Need re-engagement in education (b) Require attendance or behaviour stabilisation (c) Present with EBSA, anxiety, or temporary medical needs (d) Require rapid access to learning while out of school (e) Would benefit from phased reintegration This Lot also applies to pupils who: (a) Require short-term AP to remain in or return to mainstream education (b) Experience disengagement, dysregulation, or repeated exclusion (c) Are temporarily medically unfit for school (d) Are unable to attend due to EBSA/anxiety (e) Require interim education while awaiting placement (f) Are CME/EOTISC requiring short-term tuition (g) Are stepping down from specialist AP (h) Require stabilisation or assessment before progressing to Lot C | Training, Education services | £160,000,000 |
| Lot C: Specialist Long-Term Provision 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029 What this lot coversTo deliver full‑time, high‑quality specialist education for pupils in KS1-KS5 with complex SEMH and/or SEND needs who cannot access mainstream settings, offering a stable, therapeutic, and structured environment that supports academic progress, emotional regulation, social development, and positive behaviour change while preparing pupils for post‑16 pathways. The provision includes: (a) Personalised, needs‑led education (b) Therapeutic approaches to build emotional resilience (c) Behaviour stabilisation and reduction of risk behaviours (d) Continuity of learning towards accredited qualifications or functional skills (e) Preparation for successful post‑16 transitions (f) Strong multi‑agency and family engagement | Training, Education services | £160,000,000 |
| Lot D: Primary AP & Transition Support 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029 What this lot coversTo deliver early intervention, short-term alternative provision designed to address emerging SEMH, behaviour, or engagement needs in KS1-KS2 pupils and to strengthen readiness for the KS2-KS3 transition. This includes improving resilience, reducing escalation, and preparing pupils for secondary education. This provision is aimed to: (a) Identify and address early signs of disengagement before they escalate into medium‑ or high‑tier needs (b) Provide nurturing, structured SEMH and emotional literacy interventions (c) Improve resilience, confidence and independent learning behaviours (d) Support primary schools in preparing pupils for a successful transition into Year 7 (e) Provide targeted transition programmes that bridge learning, wellbeing, and behaviour readiness for secondary school (f) Reduce exclusions and escalation into Lot B or Lot C (g) Strengthen parental engagement to support stability and consistent attendance | Training, Education services | £160,000,000 |
| Lot E: Vocational & Progression Pathways 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2029 What this lot coversTo provide structured, high-quality vocational programmes for CYP in KS4 and post 16 who are disengaged from mainstream settings and at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET). The purpose of this Lot is to: (a) Offer aspirational vocational routes that build skills, confidence, and progression into post-16 pathways (b) Provide accredited or industry-relevant vocational learning (e.g., construction, mechanics, creative industries, digital media, hair & beauty, hospitality, trades) (c) Promote engagement through hands-on, practical learning tailored to individual strengths and career intentions (d) Ensure sustained post-16 destinations (education, employment, training, or apprenticeships) (e) Reduce NEET outcomes by embedding careers planning, employer engagement, and work-readiness skills into all programmes | Training, Education services | £160,000,000 |
Timeline
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 065369-2025
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 065828-2025
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 075703-2026
About the buyer
Procurements
225Awards
114Suppliers it has used most for training
- Aero Healthcare Ltd1 contract
- Knowledge Change Action Ltd1 contract
- National Governance Association1 contract
- Peep Learning Limited1 contract
- The Dyslexia Association1 contract
Similar open tenders
All open training tenders- £150kestimated
- £8.34mestimated
- £3mestimated
- £167kframework ceiling
- £125kestimated
From notice 065369-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 14 October 2025, last updated 10 August 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.