Online Alternative Provision for Section 19 and Virtual School

This contract has been awarded for a period of 12 months to ensure the continued provision of personalised online education for children and young people who are unable to attend school due to medical needs, and for children in care or children with a social worker who require additional educational support through the Virtual School.

The Council considers it essential that there is no interruption to these statutory and critical educational support services. This award has therefore been made as an interim arrangement to maintain service continuity while the Council undertakes a full competitive procurement process.

A full tender exercise will commence during the contract period with the intention of awarding a longer-term contract from September 2027. This direct award should not be interpreted as the Council's intention to continue the arrangement beyond the current 12-month term without competition.

The limited duration of this contract reflects the Council's commitment to securing continuity of provision whilst ensuring that future requirements are procured through an open and transparent competitive process.