Alternative Education Provision Flexible Framework

The purpose of this Flexible Framework Agreement (FFA) is to create a list of Providers who can offer alternative education placements to Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2), Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6) Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) and Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) pupils who have been excluded from school or at risk of exclusion, at risk of disengaging from mainstream school provision or otherwise require alternative education provision to meet their educational entitlement. The provision is for those pupils who need a more individualised personal, social and academic curriculum.

The Council is creating this Flexible Framework without restrictions to the number of Providers who can join, only that they meet all the requirements of the application process and Service Specification.

This Flexible Framework opportunity will be available to South Tyneside Council and to all the primary and secondary schools, academies and places of education based within the South Tyneside Council boundary area (known as "Participating Organisations"), a list of which can be found: Find a school and school holiday dates - South Tyneside Council.

Suppliers will be required to express interest in this opportunity on the NEPO ProContract system. If not already registered on ProContract please register at the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com. Suppliers will then be granted access to the application documentation - Project Number DN712962. Please note that registering on ProContract and expressing interest does not mean that you have bid for the tender - once the above steps are complete you will be required to complete and submit the flexible framework application documentation.

The Council is creating flexible framework without restrictions to the number of Providers who can join, only that they meet all the requirements of the application process and Service Specification.

The flexible framework will allow Providers to apply for one or more Lots they want to be considered for. Providers will have the opportunity to join the framework during its life. In addition, Providers appointed to the flexible framework will be able to apply for additional Lots during its life.

The flexible framework is an open opportunity and Providers may submit applications to join the flexible framework at any time over the duration of the framework. The Council will close the opportunity every 3 months and download and evaluate submitted applications. The framework will then immediately reopen for a further period of 3 months. This process will be repeated for the duration of the framework.

The first round of applications closes at 12 noon on 29 March 2024.