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
Lots
| Lot | Trade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Provision 5 January 2026 to 4 January 2030 What this lot coversThe 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 coversManaged 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 coversThe 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
Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.
Timeline
- Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 063761-2025
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 064240-2025
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 067961-2025
- Contract award notice · UK6, notice 003837-2026
- Contract details notice · UK7, notice 033923-2026
About the buyer
Procurements
8Awards
3Suppliers it has used most
- Choice Teachers (South) Ltd2 contracts
- Teaching Tomorrow Ltd2 contracts
- Tradewind Recruitment Ltd2 contracts
- 3d Recruit Limited1 contract
- Affinity Workforce Solutions Limited1 contract
- Anzuk Education Ltd1 contract
- Aspire People Limited1 contract
- Bounce Teachers1 contract
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.