Connect2Framework for the Supply of Specialist Social Care, Education and Community Interim and Temporary Staffing Services to the Public Sector
Framework Description
Commercial Services Kent's Connect2Framework for Specialist Social Care, Education and Community Interim and Temporary Staffing (reference C2SHC) supplies public bodies with agency and interim workers in social care, education and community roles. It is an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, tendered in summer 2026, with an estimated start of 5 October 2026 and a scheme end date of 28 February 2034.
Context & Use Case
Councils, NHS bodies, police and fire services, schools and colleges, charities and publicly owned companies can use it to cover vacancies, fill hard-to-recruit posts and bring in interim staff. Call-offs are made for specific roles without further competition. These are regulated roles, so buyers depend on agencies to check registration, safeguarding and right-to-work before placing anyone.
Scope of Services
Education staff, qualified and non-qualified Nursery workers RGN shift work Social and healthcare staff, qualified and non-qualified Specialist roles (SEND, OT, EP) Interpreters
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Specialist social care, education, nursing and early years recruitment agencies with vetted, registered candidates. The first tender closed on 25 August 2026. As an open framework with no cap on supplier numbers, it can be reopened to admit new agencies, so check Commercial Services Kent's Delta eSourcing listing for the next window.
Buyer Benefits
Social care agency spend is large and closely scrutinised, so buyers want agreed rates and checked compliance before an urgent placement is made. Direct award for specific roles lets them fill a post quickly without running a competition. A specialist framework also gives buyers agencies that know the social care and education markets.
Next Steps
Agencies admitted in 2026 should keep registration checks, references and DBS records audit-ready and track fill rates for hard-to-fill roles. Others should prepare for the next reopening: the 2026 tender evaluated proven ability to supply and price, and suppliers pay a fee of up to 3% of invoice value, so build that into your rates.
How Athena Can Help
Open frameworks reward agencies that are ready when the window opens. Athena's framework registration service can prepare your application for the next Connect2Framework reopening, with vetting and compliance evidence checked before submission.
For appointed agencies, our bid writing service sharpens the compliance narratives buyers read when choosing an agency, and our bid/no-bid and pricing advice helps you set rates that absorb the framework fee and still compete on council social care staffing tenders run outside it.
