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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Specialist Education Framework Phase 1 – Independent Non-Maintained Special Schools Lots 1 and 2

Nottinghamshire County Council · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:00.

Opportunity overview

This is a new competitive procurement using a open procedure conducted in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement 2015 Regulations. Nottinghamshire County Council (‘the Council’) are running an open tender process to establish a new framework under which the Council are looking to commission Independent non-maintained special schools (INMSS) and Post-16 (where the provision is delivered in house by the school) for the provision of specialist school placements for pupils who are not attending mainstream or maintained schools and who have an Education Health Care (EHC) Plan. The establishment of a framework agreement for INMSS is the first phase of the recommissioning of the Specialist Education provision for the Council as set out in the Vision document. Ultimately the framework will be extended to include Alternative Education Provision and Post-16 institutions (e.g., further education colleges that are not part of the INMSS), that will be the second/third phases of the recommissioning project and new procurement processes will be run at later dates which are yet to be decided. The new framework will replace the current Independent / non-maintained special schools Approved Provider List for Nottinghamshire (NAPL).

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

Acorn Education and Care Services Ltd

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-2
Status
active
Location
BOLTON, UKD36, BL1 4AG, United Kingdom

Dove Adolescent Services Ltd.

Matched by exact name
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-3
Status
active
Location
Bromsgrove, UKG12, B60 4AD, United Kingdom

The Place Young People's Company Limited

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-4
Status
active
Location
Stoke on Trent, UKG23, ST4 6NW, United Kingdom

Options Autism Services Ltd

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-5
Status
active
Location
Bolton, UKD3, BL1 4AG, United Kingdom

Pollyteach Limited

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-6
Status
active
Location
Kirkby in Ashfield, UKF15, NG17 7GR, United Kingdom

R.E.A.L. Education Ltd

Match pending…
Contract value
£134.5m
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
23 Feb 2024
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-7
Status
active
Location
Mansfield, UKF15, NG18 5ER, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV80000000 — Education and training services

Lots

  • Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement£115.5m
  • Approved INMSS Provider List£134.5m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
DN694393
Status
complete
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Lot Details

Award Criteria Details
The provider must bid for all lots they can deliver. Under lot 1 Providers can bid on as many locations as they wish to provide a service in, however no single provider will be awarded a block contract in 4 or more of the districts/boroughs.
Maximum Lots Bid Per Supplier
9,999,999
Maximum Lots Awarded Per Supplier
2

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Framework Agreement

Period Rationale
The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st March 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

Tender Period

Ends
20 Dec 2023, 16:30

Contract terms

Has Electronic Payment
Yes
Has Electronic Ordering
Yes
Electronic Invoicing Policy
allowed

Classification

Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement
Status
cancelled
Has Options
Yes
Description
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' ran an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education. Under this lot the Council is looking to commission block contracts, known as “call-offs” from the Framework Agreement in each of the Nottinghamshire districts. The Block contracts will start from the beginning of the new school academic year commencing from September 2024. Note due to the limited number of bids the start date of the framework was put back to the 1st January 2025 and the commencement date of block contracts would be from the 1st January 2025. Schools could bid to operate in an area. The areas known as districts/boroughs are as follows: Sub Lot Area A Ashfield B Bassetlaw C Broxtowe D Gedling E Mansfield F Newark and Sherwood G Rushcliffe The scope and nature of the services required by the Council are set out in more detail in the Specification. The service is required across the whole of Nottinghamshire County (excluding Nottingham City). The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. The earliest date “call-off” contracts can commence under Lot 1 is the 1st of January 2025. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/: Reference DN694393 Additional information: There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years. The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

Value

Amount
115,500,000
Currency
GBP

Options

Description
There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Delivery
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Name
Resilient Workforce
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 3
Name
Service Improvement
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 4
Name
Physical and Sensory Environment
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 5
Name
Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 6
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 7
Name
Implementation
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 8
Name
Changes in Provision
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 9
Name
Contact Hours
Type
cost
Description
50
Criterion 10
Name
Direct Staff Ratio
Type
cost
Description
50

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,800
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
cancelled
Has Options
Yes
Description
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) 'the Council' is running an open tender process in accordance with the light touch regime of the Public Procurement regulations 2015 to establish a new framework for Specialist Education. This lot will see the establishment of a new approved INMSS provider list for placements that replaces the current Independent / non-maintained special schools Approved Provider List for Nottinghamshire (NAPL). This provider list will be effective from the 1st of January 2025 ** from which placements can be commissioned. **Note due to the limited number of bids the start date of the framework was put back to the 1st January 2025 from the 1st April 2024 Bidders that are successful in demonstrating that they are able to meet the Council’ standards, as set out in the service specification, will be added to the Approved INMSS Provider List and will be subsequently invited to offer places that match the needs of the children and young people. Full details of the provision required are detailed in the service specification. The term of the framework agreement will be for a period of 5 years and will commence from 01 January 2025 to the 31 December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further 6 years in increments of 24 months The tender was published on https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ Reference DN694393 Additional information: There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years. The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: The initial term of the framework agreement is for five years and will end on the 31st December 2029. There is potential to extend this Framework Agreement for up to a further six years in increments of twenty four months. This process is a competitive procurement conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime Regulations 74 to 77 of the Public Procurement Regulations 2015, the subject matter is Specialist Education for children and young people with special education needs who have an Education Health Care Plan and the extended duration of the Framework Agreement is justified due to the type of service being sourced and the nature of the market. This is to ensure continuity in the provision of specialist education school places for the children and young people and to minimise disruption to the children and young people.

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP

Options

Description
There are three optional extensions to the framework agreement each of 24 months, a total of 6 years.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Service Delivery
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Name
Resilient Workforce
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 3
Name
Service Improvement
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 4
Name
Physical and Sensory Environment
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 5
Name
Preparing for Adulthood and Transitions
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 6
Name
Social Value
Type
quality
Description
10
Criterion 7
Name
Response to referrals
Type
quality
Description
20
Criterion 8
Type
price
Description
0

Contract period

Duration In Days
1,800

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKF15
Entry 2
Region
UKF16
Entry 3
Region
UKF15
Entry 4
Region
UKF16
Entry 5
Region
UKF15
Entry 6
Region
UKF16

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKF15
Entry 2
Region
UKF16
Entry 3
Region
UKF15
Entry 4
Region
UKF16
Entry 5
Region
UKF15
Entry 6
Region
UKF16

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
80000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Education and training services

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-8989
Name
Nottinghamshire County Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Nottinghamshire
Postal Code
NG2 7QP
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall, Loughborough Road Westbridgford

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Nottinghamshire County Council

Contact

Name
Mrs Katie Greenhalgh
Telephone
+44 1159774761
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-2925
Name
The Royal Courts of Justice

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
London
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
The Strand

Details

Identifier

Legal Name
The Royal Courts of Justice
Organisation 3
Id
GB-FTS-134724
Name
Acorn Education and Care Services Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKD36
Locality
BOLTON
Postal Code
BL1 4AG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
ATRIA, SPA ROAD

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Acorn Education and Care Services Ltd
Organisation 4
Id
GB-FTS-134725
Name
Dove Adolescent Services Ltd.

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKG12
Locality
Bromsgrove
Postal Code
B60 4AD
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
Dove Adolescent Services Ltd.
Organisation 5
Id
GB-FTS-134726
Name
The Place Young People's Company Limited

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKG23
Locality
Stoke on Trent
Postal Code
ST4 6NW
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
2 Lymevale Court Lyme Drive, Parklands

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
The Place Young People's Company Limited
Organisation 6
Id
GB-FTS-134727
Name
Options Autism Services Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKD3
Locality
Bolton
Postal Code
BL1 4AG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Atria, Spa Road

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Options Autism Services Ltd
Organisation 7
Id
GB-FTS-134728
Name
Pollyteach Limited

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Kirkby in Ashfield
Postal Code
NG17 7GR
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Rear of 18-20 Diamond Avenue,

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
Pollyteach Limited
Organisation 8
Id
GB-FTS-134729
Name
R.E.A.L. Education Ltd

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UKF15
Locality
Mansfield
Postal Code
NG18 5ER
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
1 Kings Mill Way

Details

Scale
sme

Identifier

Legal Name
R.E.A.L. Education Ltd

Award information

Award 1
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-1
Title
Independent Non-Maintained Special School Block Arrangement
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
unsuccessful

Related lots

1
Award 2
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-2
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134724
Name
Acorn Education and Care Services Ltd

Related lots

2
Award 3
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-3
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134725
Name
Dove Adolescent Services Ltd.

Related lots

2
Award 4
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-4
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134726
Name
The Place Young People's Company Limited

Related lots

2
Award 5
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-5
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134727
Name
Options Autism Services Ltd

Related lots

2
Award 6
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-6
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134728
Name
Pollyteach Limited

Related lots

2
Award 7
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-7
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-134729
Name
R.E.A.L. Education Ltd

Related lots

2

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-2
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-2
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 2
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-3
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-3
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 3
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-4
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-4
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 4
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-5
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-5
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 5
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-6
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-6
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP
Entry 6
Id
000901-2025-DN694393-7
Title
Approved INMSS Provider List
Status
active
Award ID
000901-2025-DN694393-7
Date Signed
23 Feb 2024, 00:00

Value

Amount
134,500,000
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Nottinghamshire · UKF15 · NG2 7QP · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKF15
  • Delivery location · UKF16

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-041a55-2025-01-10T15:57:33Zcompiled ·