AwardedAwarded 31 January 2026

Framework to provide Supply Agency Staff Services

Heart Academies Trust · Local or regional public body

In brief

Heart Academies Trust awarded this contract to Reed Specialist Recruitment Limited, Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and Prospero Group and 48 others on 31 January 2026.

It is a framework worth up to £850,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 4 years, up to 8 years with extensions, starting 5 January 2026.

It is split into 3 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

HEART Academies Trust is establishing a multi lotted Framework Agreement to support the recruitment of temporary, permanent, and fixed-term teaching and non-teaching staff across educational settings in the UK. This includes but is not limited to schools, colleges, nurseries, pupil referral units, and children's centres. The Framework is designed to provide participating Contracting Authorities with a fair, transparent, and cost-effective solution for engaging supply staff. The Contracting Authority intends to operate the Framework for a maximum duration of eight (8) years, with the intention to re-open the Framework on an annual basis to allow for the inclusion of new suppliers and ensure…Read the full description
HEART Academies Trust is establishing a multi lotted Framework Agreement to support the recruitment of temporary, permanent, and fixed-term teaching and non-teaching staff across educational settings in the UK. This includes but is not limited to schools, colleges, nurseries, pupil referral units, and children's centres. The Framework is designed to provide participating Contracting Authorities with a fair, transparent, and cost-effective solution for engaging supply staff. The Contracting Authority intends to operate the Framework for a maximum duration of eight (8) years, with the intention to re-open the Framework on an annual basis to allow for the inclusion of new suppliers and ensure continued value and compliance. A Re-Opening Notice will be published detailing the scope of services, eligibility criteria, submission deadlines and evaluation methodology.- The following types of Suppliers can apply/re-apply o New suppliers not previously included o Previously unsuccessful suppliers o Existing suppliers seeking to expand or revise their offering Suppliers meeting the criteria will be added to the Framework and become eligible for selection in Direct Awards or Mini Competitions. Whilst all lots include the option for the Customer to access permanent recruitment, the expectation is that this will be minimal therefore this Tender is primarily focused on supply teachers, education support staff and other temporary staffing services

Lots

LotTradeValue
Direct Provision
5 January 2026 to 4 January 2030
What this lot covers

The appointed Supplier will be responsible for delivering recruitment services for the provision of supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary and permanent staffing requirements. This will include: • Temporary assignments via employment agencies • Fixed-term employment via employment agencies • Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier must remain informed of developments within the recruitment sector, including changes in policy, legislation, and best practice. Ongoing compliance with relevant regulations-such as the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage-is essential. Additionally, the Supplier is required to hold and maintain certification from a recognised Accreditation Body and ensure that any regulatory or market changes are promptly communicated to the Contracting Authority. Where necessary, appropriate adjustments must be made to internal processes and procedures to reflect such changes.

—£425,000,000
Master Vendor
5 January 2026 to 4 January 2030
What this lot covers

Managed service requirements of supply teachers, education support staff and other temporary, fixed term or permanent staffing services. The Contracting Authority is seeking a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver comprehensive recruitment services that meet its workforce requirements. This includes the sourcing, engagement, and administration of supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary, fixed term or permanent personnel through standardised processes and the effective use of technology. The appointed Master Vendor will be solely responsible for delivering recruitment services and managing the entire supply chain. This includes: • Temporary assignments via employment agencies • Fixed-term employment via employment agencies • Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier may fulfil staffing requirements directly from its own resource pool and may also manage additional supply through an approved and accredited supply chain. Where appropriate, the Supplier may establish and manage a talent pool on behalf of the Contracting Authority. Workers sourced via this pool may be employed either by the Employment Business or directly by the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will contract with the Master Vendor, who will retain full responsibility for the performance and compliance of its supply chain. The Supplier must hold and maintain certification from a recognised Accreditation Body and ensure full compliance with all applicable legislation and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage. The Supplier is expected to remain up to date with changes in recruitment practices, market conditions, and relevant policies and legislation. Any such changes must be communicated promptly to the Contracting Authority, with necessary adjustments made to operational processes and procedures.

—£297,500,000
Neutral Vendor
5 January 2026 to 4 January 2030
What this lot covers

The Contracting Authority is seeking a Neutral Vendor to deliver managed recruitment services for supply teachers, education support staff, and other temporary staffing needs. The appointed Supplier will take full responsibility for meeting the Contracting Authority's workforce requirements. As a Neutral Vendor, the Supplier will not directly supply workers from its own organisation and may only source up to 20% of workers through affiliated businesses. All other staffing requirements must be fulfilled via an approved and accredited supply chain. The Supplier will manage the provision of staff for: • Temporary assignments via employment businesses • Fixed-term employment via employment agencies • Permanent employment via employment agencies The Supplier may establish and manage a talent pool on behalf of the Contracting Authority. Workers sourced through this pool may be employed either by the Employment Business or directly by the Contracting Authority. The Contracting Authority will enter into a contract with the Neutral Vendor, who will be fully responsible for the performance and compliance of its supply chain. All supply agencies within the Suppliers supply chain must hold certification from an approved Accreditation Body. The Supplier managing the supply chain is responsible for ensuring that all participating Suppliers are appropriately accredited and ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, including but not limited to the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), IR35, and National Minimum Wage. The Supplier is expected to remain informed of changes in recruitment practices, market conditions, and applicable policies and legislation. Any such changes must be communicated promptly to the Contracting Authority, with necessary updates made to operational processes and procedures.

—£127,500,000

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Reed Specialist Recruitment Limited (SME)
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Prospero Group
Nutrix Personnel Limited
Vision for Education
Tradewind Recruitment Ltd (SME)
Service Care Solutions Limited (SME)
Randstad Solutions Limited (SME)
Anzuk Education Ltd
Teaching Personnel Limited (SME)
Huntress Search Limited
Tempest Resourcing Limited (SME)
Now Education Group Limited (SME)
Aspire People Limited (SME)
GUARDIAN SELECTION LIMITED (GSL Education)
Zen Educate Limited (SME)
3d Recruit Limited (SME)
Bounce Teachers (SME)
Carepro Ltd (SME)
Choice Teachers (South) Ltd (SME)
DCM Recruitment Ltd (SME)
Edex Education Recruitment Ltd (SME)
Empowering Learning Limited
Engage Partners Limited (SME)
Es Solutions Group Ltd
Fox Morris Group Ltd (SME)
Humly Ltd
Kent Teaching Solutions Ltd (SME)
Locums Today Group Limited (SME)
Morgan Jones Limited (SME)
Niche Education Ltd (SME)
Operam Education Group Limited (SME)
Pphorizons Limited (SME)
Progress Teachers Ltd (SME)
Protocol Education Limited
Qa Teaching Ltd (SME)
Recruit2schools Ltd (SME)
Respond Recruitment Limited (SME)
Spencer Clarke Group Limited (SME)
Step Teachers Limited
Talent 27 Ltd (SME)
Teaching Tomorrow Ltd (SME)
The Staffroom Agency Ltd (SME)
Top Marks Education Ltd (SME)
Veritas Education Group Holdings Ltd
Your Teaching Ltd (SME)
Zentar Healthcare Limited (SME)
49 bids received
Direct Provision£425,000,000
Awarded 15 January 2026
1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030
Reed Specialist Recruitment Limited (SME)
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Vision for Education
Service Care Solutions Limited (SME)
Randstad Solutions Limited (SME)
Teaching Personnel Limited (SME)
Affinity Workforce Solutions Limited
Zen Educate Limited (SME)
3d Recruit Limited (SME)
Engage Partners Limited (SME)
The Supply Register Limited (SME)
11 bids received
Master Vendor£297,500,000
Awarded 15 January 2026
1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030
Service Care Solutions Limited (SME)
The Supply Register Limited (SME)
Florence Staffing Ltd (SME)
Neuven Solutions Limited
4 bids received
Neutral Vendor£127,500,000
Awarded 15 January 2026
1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 063761-2025
  2. Tender notice · UK4, notice 064240-2025
  3. Tender notice · UK4, notice 067961-2025
  4. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 003837-2026
  5. Contract details notice · UK7, notice 033923-2026

About the buyer

From notice 063761-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 9 October 2025, last updated 14 April 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.