Open Framework For Alternative Provision
Framework Description
Westmorland and Furness Council has set up an open framework for alternative provision, giving it access to quality-assured education providers for children and young people who cannot attend mainstream school. Providers are placed on Provider List A or B depending on whether they are registered with Ofsted or an equivalent body. The framework runs to 31 December 2028, with the option to extend by up to two further 12-month periods to 31 December 2030.
Context & Use Case
The council has a statutory duty to make sure every child receives a suitable education, including children excluded from school, with SEN, with medical needs or in other circumstances. It uses the framework to place individual pupils with assessed providers. Each placement should help the child progress, gain qualifications and, where possible, return to mainstream school or move on to a post-16 destination.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: alternative provision by providers registered with Ofsted or an equivalent body Lot 2: alternative provision by providers not registered with Ofsted or an equivalent body Lot 3: alternative provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent school attendance
Lots
Lot 1: Alternative Provision where the provider is registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body); Lot 2: Alternative Provision where the provider is not registered with Ofsted (or an equivalent body); Lot 3: Alternative Provision for pupils with medical conditions that prevent their attendance at school
Who Can Apply
Registered and unregistered alternative provision providers, and specialists in education for pupils with medical needs. Staff must be suitable and checked, and providers must show measurable progress for pupils. As an open framework, it can admit new providers during its term; check the notice for the current application window.
Buyer Benefits
The council can place a child quickly with a provider already checked for safeguarding, staffing and quality, instead of arranging each placement from scratch. Separating registered and unregistered providers gives the council the right level of oversight for each, and a dedicated lot for medical needs makes it easier to find suitable provision for those pupils.
Next Steps
Read the Find a Tender notice (052188-2026) and the specification, including the quality standards and the rules for Provider List A and B. Choose the lot that matches your registration status, and gather evidence of qualifications offered, pupil progress, safeguarding checks and reintegration outcomes. Then apply while the framework is accepting new providers.
How Athena Can Help
Athena works with education providers on applications like this through our support getting onto frameworks: choosing the right lot, writing responses on pupil outcomes and safeguarding, and checking compliance before you submit.
For smaller or unregistered providers new to council procurement, our public sector bid consultancy explains how placements are made and what the council scores. Where individual placements are competed, our bid management help keeps each response focused on the evaluation criteria.
