Refugee and Asylum Seeker English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Framework

Suffolk County Council is responsible, as part of the Home Office funding instructions for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme, for ensuring adult refugees arriving in Suffolk under these schemes are able to access a minimum of 8 hours per week of Formal Language Training (this includes the provision of ESOL).

In addition, Suffolk County Council works with partners to provide ESOL provision for asylum seekers living in Suffolk.

Suffolk County Council need providers in place that can offer the right level of ESOL provision for refugees and asylum seekers, in the right areas, to enable them to progress towards the level of proficiency needed to function in their everyday lives, encourage integration, and move towards self-sufficiency.

Under Home Office funding guidelines for the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy and the United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme, Suffolk County Council must ensure that adult refugees have access to a minimum of 8 hours per week of formal language training (ESOL provision) until they reach Entry Level 3 or for at least 12 months after their arrival in the UK. Additionally, we work with partners to provide ESOL services for asylum seekers living in Suffolk.

This framework is being developed to enable additional ESOL to be provided across Suffolk in instances where bespoke sessions are required. It does not seek to duplicate existing provision which is funded via other grants.

This procurement is for services listed within schedule 3 of The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and as a result are subject to the Light Touch Regime under those regulations. The framework will be for a duration of 4 years commencing 1st May 2025. The estimated total value of the framework (for all Lots) is £250,000 excluding VAT.

The framework will consist of 2 Lots:

Lot 1: Virtual Online Classes Lot 2: Face-to-Face Courses

The submission deadline is 24th February 2025 at 12noon.

Additional information:

Invitation to Tender documents can be accessed via www.suffolksourcing.uk.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No