Open Light Touch Framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon

Devon County Council is inviting suppliers to participate in an open framework for Independent and Alternative Education Support for children and young people within the county. The framework is divided into four distinct lots. Lot 1a covers pre‑16 education placements for individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in independent schools, independent special schools or non‑maintained special schools. Lot 1b is dedicated to post‑16 placements for the same group in independent post‑16 settings, independent special post‑16 schools and colleges. Lot 2a requires bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision that form part of an education other than at school (EOTAS) specified within a child’s or young person’s statutory EHCP. Lot 2b invites proposals for bespoke alternative provision supporting reintegration into mainstream schools or transition to other education settings. All works will be performed under the contractual location UKK, with all bids forwarded electronically via the South West tendering portal.

All awarded contracts will be assessed exclusively on the quality of the proposed services, with providers expected to deliver high‑standard, individualized educational support that complies with the statutory requirements outlined in the EHCP framework and the specific needs of each child or young person.

Devon County Council will be setting up an open framework (Framework Three) for Independent and Alternative Education Support for Children and Young People in Devon. The framework will comprise the following Lots:
Lot 1a - Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special
schools.
Lot 1b - Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan(EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.
Lot 2a - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Lot 2b - Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.

Contract location: UKK
Communication: Submissions must be made via the Supplying the South West tendering portal. https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/ Further information regarding submissions can be viewed in Section 5 (Submission Instructions) of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Enquiry deadline: 2026-11-03T12:00:00Z
Submission address and any special instructions: Submissions must be made via the Supplying the South West tendering portal. https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/ Further information regarding submissions can be viewed in Section 5 (Submission Instructions) of the Invitation to Tender (ITT) document.
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2026-12-22T23:59:59Z
Recurring procurement:
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 2027-09-20T23:59:59+01:00

Lot: 1a
Description: Pre-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent schools, independent special schools or non-maintained special schools
Lot value (estimated)
357.063.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
428.475.600,00 GBP including VAT

Lot: 1b
Description: Post-16 Education Placements for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with independent post-16 settings and independent special post-16 settings schools and colleges.
Lot value (estimated)
163.437.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
192.124.400,00 GBP including VAT

Lot: 2a
Description: Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support which form part of an educated other than at school (EOTAS) which has been named within a child or young person's statutory Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Lot value (estimated)
59.179.170,00 GBP excluding VAT
71.015.004,00 GBP including VAT

Lot: 2b
Description: Bespoke packages of Alternative Education Provision support to enable children and young people to reintegrate to their school or move onto another education setting.
Lot value (estimated)
34.310.830,00 GBP excluding VAT
41.172.996,00 GBP including VAT

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Quality	quality	100%

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En