HR, Payroll & Employee Screening Framework
Framework Description
Crescent Purchasing's HR, Payroll and Employee Screening framework gives public sector organisations a pre-approved list of suppliers for HR support, payroll processing, pensions administration and pre-employment screening. It is designed as a one-stop shop covering every stage of the employee lifecycle. It is a traditional framework running until 20 November 2026 with applications closed, so suppliers cannot join before it ends.
Context & Use Case
Schools, academy trusts, colleges and other public bodies use it to outsource HR advice and payroll, run pension enrolments, and carry out background and reference checks for new staff, including safeguarding checks. It suits organisations that want to reduce the cost and risk of running these services in-house. Buyers can choose one service or several.
Scope of Services
Recruitment and pre-employment screening HR management support Payroll processing and statutory reporting Pension scheme administration
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
HR consultancies, payroll bureaux and employee screening providers. Applications for this framework are closed and it ends on 20 November 2026, so new suppliers cannot join it. The route in is any replacement arrangement Crescent Purchasing tenders.
Buyer Benefits
One framework covering screening, HR, payroll and pensions lets buyers outsource the whole employment cycle or just parts of it. Pre-approved suppliers give assurance on data protection and safeguarding checks, which matter in schools, and agreed terms speed up switching providers.
Next Steps
Watch CPC's contracting pipeline for a replacement framework. Prepare evidence of payroll accuracy, data security accreditations, safeguarding screening processes and education or public sector references. Appointed suppliers should agree any renewals before 20 November 2026 and record service performance for the next bid.
How Athena Can Help
With this framework ending in November 2026, any replacement tender is where HR and payroll providers should focus. Athena can plan the bid early and build win themes on accuracy, compliance and service, through our bid management and win theme work.
Meanwhile, our public sector framework applications service can find other HR, payroll and screening frameworks that are open now. Our pricing support for service contracts helps set per-payslip and per-check rates that win.
