Staff Absence Protection and Reimbursement Services 2025
Framework Description
Crescent Purchasing Consortium's Staff Absence Protection and Reimbursement Services 2025 framework is a single-lot agreement that started on 24 May 2025. It runs to 23 May 2027, with an option to extend by 12 months to 23 May 2028. It replaces CPC's previous staff absence framework and gives members access to specialist insurers and reimbursement scheme operators.
Context & Use Case
Schools, academies and other education settings use it to protect budgets against the cost of covering absent teaching and support staff. Cover typically runs per academic or financial year, so purchasing peaks before renewal dates. Buying is through CPC's MultiQuote portal, with direct award and mini-competition both allowed. Trusts often buy cover for all their schools at once.
Scope of Services
Staff absence insurance Reimbursement scheme operation Associated advice and claims handling
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits insurers, managing general agents and reimbursement scheme operators with education clients. The supplier list was fixed when the framework was awarded, so it is closed to new applications. The re-tender is likely around May 2027, or May 2028 if CPC extends.
Buyer Benefits
Schools cannot predict absence, but they must fund cover. They value clear policy terms, fast claims payment, and wellbeing services that reduce absence in the first place. Buying through CPC gives them a compliant, competed route without each school running its own insurance tender.
Next Steps
Appointed providers should target renewals before 23 May 2027 and record claims performance. Others cannot join until the re-tender, so check CPC's framework page for the extension decision and any re-tender news. Prepare claims turnaround data, wellbeing service evidence and school or trust references.
How Athena Can Help
For appointed providers, Athena's mini-competition bid writers help you win trust-wide renewals with win themes on claims speed and wellbeing, plus premium models tested against competitors.
For insurers targeting the next round, our framework application planning prepares the evidence ahead of the notice. Our public sector tendering consultants then make sure the bid is compliant and priced to deliver a profit. We also prepare case studies showing how your service has reduced absence or speeded up claims for schools.
