Approved Supplier List (ASL) for Non-Registered Post 16 Education Provision

Buckinghamshire Council (BC) is seeking to create an approved supplier list (ASL) of suitably quality checked non Ofsted registered alternative providers (AP) offering post 16 education to Buckinghamshire children and young people who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).

Suppliers appointed on this List MUST have current DBS enhanced certificate.

The Approved Supplier List (ASL) will be Buckinghamshire Council's main route for sourcing spot non registered education provision of bespoke provision. Suppliers who have signed up to the ASL will, as required, provide support to Buckinghamshire children and young people aged 16-25 who have an EHCP with specific educational needs and outcomes as identified in Section B,E & F of the EHCP and are currently not on roll or attending an educational setting.

APs delivering services on behalf of BC must be able to provide services that are responsive to the needs of the child or young person with whom they are providing education.

The ASL will be open for new applications from the date of publication of the documents and will remain open for new applications from post 16 providers at any time during the ASL term.

A due diligence process will be applied to all applicants applying to join the list which includes confirmation of policies, procedures and insurances, an appropriately robust financial status and appropriate safeguarding measures are in place e.g. DBS validation.

This is not a competitive tender process.

APs wishing to apply to deliver services are requested to register on the Council's portal www.supplybucksbusiness.org.uk, express an interest in this procurement, download and return completed in full the relevant documentation (specifications, contract terms and conditions and application form) which is available for download.

The Post 16 ASL will open for entry from Monday 3rd June 2024 and will remain open to new applications until Tuesday 3rd June 2025 with the option to be extended for up to 12 months. ASL is considered a "light touch" procurement. The anticipated value of all works under this ASL is £276,427 for the initial term of one year.

Entry to the list will be reviewed annually, individual contract details such as length and value will be variable depending on services provided but benchmarking will be carried out.

The Service aims to process applicants to the ASL in a timely manner and hopes to achieve this within 10 working days subject to a complete and comprehensive response from providers.

Successful applicants will be required to sign a contract prior to any work being carried out.