Planned Procurement Specialist Education Alternative Provision Framework
Framework Description
Nottinghamshire County Council's Specialist Education Alternative Provision Framework commissions education for children and young people who need an alternative to mainstream school. Procured under the light touch regime of the Procurement Act 2023, it has five lots: individual placements, block bookings, accredited online providers, one-to-one tutoring and full-time registered providers. It is live and runs to 31 August 2030.
Context & Use Case
The council places learners directly through the framework, and maintained schools, free schools and academies in Nottinghamshire and surrounding areas can use it too. That gives schools a vetted route to alternative provision without each running its own procurement. The council has linked the framework to better outcomes for local children through more choice and consistency of placements.
Scope of Services
Individual placements Block bookings Accredited online providers One-to-one tutoring Full-time registered providers
Lots
Five lots covering individual placements; block bookings; accredited online providers; one-to-one tutoring; full-time registered providers
Who Can Apply
Suits alternative provision schools, registered independent settings, tutoring organisations and accredited online education providers with strong safeguarding. The framework is already live, so check the framework page to see if and when new providers can join; otherwise plan for the re-procurement before August 2030.
Buyer Benefits
Schools and the council need placements that can start quickly when a pupil cannot attend mainstream school. Pre-approved providers across five delivery models, from one-to-one tutoring to full-time registered settings, let them match provision to the learner and book blocks of places where demand is predictable.
Next Steps
Appointed providers should make themselves known to schools across Nottinghamshire, as schools can place pupils through the framework as well as the council. Providers not yet on it should check the council's news release and procurement pages for any reopening, and keep safeguarding, inspection and pupil outcome evidence up to date.
How Athena Can Help
For alternative provision, the strongest bids show safeguarding, outcomes and value clearly. If the council reopens the framework or re-procures it, Athena can prepare and compliance-check your application with our support joining frameworks.
Already appointed? Our bid team can help you respond to schools' and the council's requests with clear outcome evidence, and our public sector bidding expertise helps you choose which lots and opportunities to prioritise, so your effort goes where you are most likely to win.
