Official UK procurement notice
Non-School Alternative Provision / Education (other then in school or college)- Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Vocational Framework
Authority: Norfolk County Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNorfolk County Council has developed a new Framework for unregulated alternative provision / education other than in school or college - Social, Emotional, Mental Health (SEMH) and Vocational, that will enable a fair and transparent process to manage how we commission and work in partnership with providers. The Framework will secure consistent approaches to safeguarding and sufficient choice for children and young people (CYP).
The contract Value is an estimate, and will depend on usage and the requirements of the CYP who access it.
A blank copy of the framework has been included. This framework applies to all suppliers. KPIs are not required as this procurement is under the light touch regime.
CPV: Education and training services · Health and social work services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 49 bids on the busiest of 2 lots · 47 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 2 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 16 Mar 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 11 Apr 2034
Published description of the framework
Each time the Council has a requirement it will either:
- hold a competition involving all suppliers capable of performing the contract. This will involve inviting bids from Suppliers on the framework and will be scaled to the size and complexity of the requirement ("Further Competition")
or
- directly award a contract to one supplier from information supplied in this Invitation to Tender and from the prices submitted in the price schedule ("Direct Award")
The Council and any nominated users of the Framework Agreement reserve the right to conduct Further Competitions using the Competitive Flexible procedure where appropriate as per the rights in the Procurement Act 2023..
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £30,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) ProvisionAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
The Council will be assessing the legal, and technical ability of bidders to perform the contract being procured as set out in the Invitation to Tender. This assessment includes past experience, safeguarding, health and safety, modern slavery and references. These are all designated as pass/fail criteria.
Lot #2Vocational non-school alternative provisionAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
The Council will be assessing the legal, and technical ability of bidders to perform the contract being procured as set out in the Invitation to Tender. This assessment includes past experience, safeguarding, health and safety, modern slavery and references. These are all designated as pass/fail criteria.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Quality: 50%
- Monitoring and Outcomes: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality
- Monitoring and Outcomes
- Economic & financial standing
The Council will be assessing the legal, and technical ability of bidders to perform the contract being procured as set out in the Invitation to Tender. This assessment includes past experience, safeguarding, health and safety, modern slavery and references. These are all designated as pass/fail criteria.
- “Non-School Alternative Provision / Education (other then in school or…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use the vehicle
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 2 Sept 2025, 14:40 BST
- Last source update
- 31 Jul 2026, 08:56 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 25 Feb 2026
- Authority reference
NCCT43184- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-072974- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05924eFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
As per the terms and condition issued with this procurement.
- Risks
Please note Norfolk County Council has joined the government's Devolution Priority Programme.
Please note that both Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have approved a devolution deal which is expected to lead to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined County Authority with strategic powers, headed by an elected mayor. Subject to the government laying a Statutory Instrument and to its approval by Parliament to formally establish the new combined authority, the first Mayoral election is expected to be in May 2026.
Government has also invited participation by Norfolk in Local Government Review. This process has the potential to lead to unitary local government in Norfolk. The contract may be assigned or novated to any successor authority(ies) to Norfolk County Council or to any joint body incorporating or formed by any such successor. The County Council or a successor authority or joint body may order services on behalf of other local authorities serving any area within Norfolk's current geographical boundaries
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 5 Jan 2026, 11:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 15 Dec 2025, 11:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This procurement will be managed electronically via the Council`s e-procurement system. To participate in this procurement and gain access to documents when they are available, applicants must first be registered on the system at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗ (intendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗)
Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at
in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗
(in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗)
Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under the `tenders` section and `express an interest` in this tender. If you encounter any difficulties whilst using the system you can contact the In-tend support team by phoning +448442728810 or e-mailing [email protected]
Timeline
2 Sept 2025 → 31 Jul 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published2 Sept 2025, 14:40 BST
- Market engagement373 days ago7 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
There will be two Market Engagement sessions to support providers with the tendering process and it looks like.
Market engagement 1 (11th September 2025 1pm-2pm)
Discussion points
- Why do we need a framework?
- Key performance indicators
- Quality Assurance
- Procurement
Market engagement 2 (25th September 2025 1pm -2pm)
Discussion points:
- Why do we need a framework?
- Key performance indicators
- Quality Assurance
- Procurement
Interested parties will need to register their interest for the market engagement on In-Tend and a separate invite will be sent. Applicants must first be registered on in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗ (in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc ↗) Full instructions for registration and use of the system can be found at in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗ (in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Buyer… ↗). Once registered you will be able to see the procurement project under 'tenders' section and 'express an interest'. Please then use the correspondence facility to let us know that you are interested in attending a market engagement session(s).
The procurement, once issued, will also be managed via In-Tend.
- Next notice expected342 days ago7 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published338 days ago11 Nov 2025, 17:37 GMT
- Clarification questions by304 days ago15 Dec 2025, 11:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends283 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown5 Jan 2026, 11:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by232 days ago25 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts214 days ago16 Mar 2026
- Assessment summaries sent203 days ago27 Mar 2026
- Standstill ends189 days ago9 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published77 days ago31 Jul 2026, 08:56 BST
Notice history
12 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 2 Sept 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published2 Sept 2025, 14:40 BSTUK2
- Planned procurement notice published2 Sept 2025, 14:54 BSTUK3
- Status changed to planned2 Sept 2025, 14:54 BST
- Procurement method changed2 Sept 2025, 14:54 BST
- Deadline published: 8 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT2 Sept 2025, 14:54 BST
- Tender notice published11 Nov 2025, 17:37 GMTUK4
- Status changed to active11 Nov 2025, 17:37 GMT
- Deadline moved to 5 Jan 2026, 11:00 GMT11 Nov 2025, 17:37 GMT+27 days · was 8 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract award notice published27 Mar 2026, 12:23 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete27 Mar 2026, 12:23 GMT
- Contract signature expected10 Apr 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published31 Jul 2026, 08:56 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2025-09: 2 releases · 2 Sept 2025, 2 Sept 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£30,000,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 2 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 2 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision1 award | |||
| C F SOCIAL WORK LIMITED, HOLT YOUTH PROJECT LIMITEDSME, LAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDSMEVCSE, Nudge Education LtdSME, OAK ACTIVITIES LTD.SME, Open Road Norfolk TrustVCSE +35 more11 Apr 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · up to 11 Apr 2033Extensions: The term is 24 months from the Required Service Commencement Date, which may be extended up to 72 months as long as such extension complies with the Procurement Act 2023 in terms of re-opening of the framework. | ceiling above | 27 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Vocational non-school alternative provision1 award | |||
| CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDSME, JDT MUSIC ACADEMY LIMITEDSME, LAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDSMEVCSE, MAGNUM OPUS TRAINING LTDSME, OAK ACTIVITIES LTD.SME, Open Road Norfolk TrustVCSE +19 more11 Apr 2026 – 11 Apr 2027 · up to 11 Apr 2033Extensions: The term is 24 months from the Required Service Commencement Date, which may be extended up to 72 months as long as such extension complies with the Procurement Act 2023 in terms of re-opening of the framework. | ceiling above | 27 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 2 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £30,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Lot 2. Vocational non-school alternative provision · CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDSME, JDT MUSIC ACADEMY LIMITEDSME, LAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDSMEVCSE, MAGNUM OPUS TRAINING LTDSME, OAK ACTIVITIES LTD.SME, Open Road Norfolk TrustVCSE +19 more
- Signed
- 11 Apr 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 11 Apr 2026 – 11 Apr 2028 · up to 11 Apr 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The initial term is 24 months from the Required Service Commencement Date, which may be extended up to 72 months as long as such extension complies with the Procurement Act 2023 in terms of re-opening of the framework.
Lot 1. Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision · C F SOCIAL WORK LIMITED, HOLT YOUTH PROJECT LIMITEDSME, LAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDSMEVCSE, Nudge Education LtdSME, OAK ACTIVITIES LTD.SME, Open Road Norfolk TrustVCSE +35 more
- Signed
- 11 Apr 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 11 Apr 2026 – 11 Apr 2028 · up to 11 Apr 2033 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- Initial term is 24 months from the Required Service Commencement Date, which may be extended up to 72 months as long as such extension complies with the Procurement Act 2023 in terms of re-opening of the framework.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision | 49final-stage tenders · 50 at stage one | 38 | 9 | — |
| 2 · Vocational non-school alternative provision | 37final-stage tenders | 33 | 9 | — |
Who bid
- did not winABC EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · South East England · all lots
- did not winACTION COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES CICSMEVCSE · East of England · 2
- did not winBACK TO BASICS TRAINING SERVICES LTD.SME · East of England · all lots
- did not winCASTLE FARM COUNTRYSIDE CLASSROOM LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- wonCATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDSME · Greater London · all lots
- did not winDinky Ponies Childrens Equesrian CentreSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winEDUCATION AND FAMILY WELLBEING SERVICE LIMITEDSME · Greater London · all lots
- did not winFEMCO SERVICES LIMITEDSME · East of England · 2
- wonJDT MUSIC ACADEMY LIMITEDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winNXG ENTERPRISES LIMITEDSME · Greater London · all lots
- wonLAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDSMEVCSE · East of England · all lots
- wonMAGNUM OPUS TRAINING LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winNORWICH CITY COMMUNITY SPORTS FOUNDATIONSMEVCSE · East of England · all lots
- wonTHE NORWICH SCHOOL OF BEAUTY LTDSME · East of England · 2
- wonOAK ACTIVITIES LTD.SME · East of England · all lots
- did not winSAILs Education LTDSME · Greater London · all lots
- did not winST. EDMUNDS SOCIETYSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winSTEM CENTRE LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winMEDIC MIND LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winTHE GARAGE TRUST LIMITEDSME · East of England · all lots
- wonOpen Road Norfolk TrustVCSE · East of England · all lots
- wonPEOPLE & ANIMALS UK COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYVCSE · East of England · all lots
- did not winPOSITIVE YOUNG FUTURES CICSMEVCSE · East of England · 2
- did not winBe YourselfSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winABSOLUTE CHILDREN SERVICES LTD · East of England · all lots
- did not winACKERMAN PIERCE EDUCATION LTDSME · Greater London · 1
- did not winBREAKFORTH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1
- wonC F SOCIAL WORK LIMITED · West Midlands · 1
- did not winCONSORTIUM TRUST · East of England · 1
- did not winElevate-EdSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winEVERGREEN SEN CONSULTANCY LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1
- did not winFLEET EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITEDSME · Greater London · 1
- wonHOLT YOUTH PROJECT LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1
- did not winHORIZON COMMUNITY TRAINING CICSMEVCSE · East of England · all lots
- did not winIDEATE EDUCATION LTDSME · Greater London · 1
- did not winJUVENTAS SERVICES LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1
- did not winKINDA EDUCATION C.I.C.VCSE · East of England · 1
- did not winMANCROFT ADVICE PROJECT (MAP)VCSE · East of England · 1
- wonNUDGE EDUCATION LIMITEDSME · North East England · all lots
- did not winSELF ASSURED MIND THERAPY LTD · East of England · 1
- wonTARGETED PROVISION LTDSME · Greater London · 1
- did not winTEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITED · Greater London · 1
- did not winTHE PARACHUTE PROJECT LTDSME · East of England · 1
- did not winTOP NOTCH TUTORS LIMITEDSME · East of England · 1
- did not winVERBATIM THERAPY & CONSULTANCY LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winOUTCOMES FIRST 4 LIMITED · North West England · 1
- did not winALPHA INCLUSION LIMITEDVCSE · East of England · all lots
- did not winEDFORDS CARE FARM COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYSMEVCSE · East of England · all lots
- did not winREMEDY RECRUITMENT GROUP LIMITEDSME · East of England · 2
- did not winSTEMRAN LIMITEDSME · Scotland · 2
- did not winStir It UpSME · East of England · 2
- did not winWhitlingham Adventure · East of England · all lots
- did not winWORCESTER LEARNING ZONE LIMITEDSME · West Midlands · all lots
- did not winX ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES LTDSME · East of England · all lots
- did not winALPHA THERAPEUTIC CARE LTDSME · South East England · 1
- did not winOCEM LIMITEDSME · Greater London · 1
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
57 commercial parties on the notice · 43 awardedThe first 50 of 57 commercial parties (by name); the JSON mirror lists them all.
- ABC EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ABSOLUTE CHILDREN SERVICES LTDFramework contractor
- ACKERMAN PIERCE EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- ACTION COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES CICFramework contractor
- ALPHA INCLUSION LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- ALPHA THERAPEUTIC CARE LTDBidder / tenderer
- BACK TO BASICS TRAINING SERVICES LTD.Framework contractor
- BREAKFORTH MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Be YourselfFramework contractor
- C F SOCIAL WORK LIMITEDFramework contractor
Show 40 more suppliers
- CASTLE FARM COUNTRYSIDE CLASSROOM LTDFramework contractor
- CATCH-UP ACADEMY LTDFramework contractor
- CONSORTIUM TRUSTFramework contractor
- Dinky Ponies Childrens Equesrian CentreFramework contractor
- EDFORDS CARE FARM COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYBidder / tenderer
- EDUCATION AND FAMILY WELLBEING SERVICE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- EVERGREEN SEN CONSULTANCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Elevate-EdFramework contractor
- FEMCO SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FLEET EDUCATION SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- HOLT YOUTH PROJECT LIMITEDFramework contractor
- HORIZON COMMUNITY TRAINING CICFramework contractor
- IDEATE EDUCATION LTDFramework contractor
- JDT MUSIC ACADEMY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- JUVENTAS SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- KINDA EDUCATION C.I.C.Framework contractor
- LAPWING SUFFOLK LIMITEDFramework contractor
- MAGNUM OPUS TRAINING LTDFramework contractor
- MANCROFT ADVICE PROJECT (MAP)Framework contractor
- MEDIC MIND LTDFramework contractor
- Medic Mind LtdFramework contractor
- NORWICH CITY COMMUNITY SPORTS FOUNDATIONFramework contractor
- NUDGE EDUCATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- NXG ENTERPRISES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- OAK ACTIVITIES LTD.Framework contractor
- OCEM LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- OUTCOMES FIRST 4 LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Open Road Norfolk TrustFramework contractor
- PEOPLE & ANIMALS UK COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYFramework contractor
- POSITIVE YOUNG FUTURES CICFramework contractor
- REMEDY RECRUITMENT GROUP LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- SAILs Education LTDFramework contractor
- SELF ASSURED MIND THERAPY LTDFramework contractor
- ST. EDMUNDS SOCIETYFramework contractor
- STEM CENTRE LTDFramework contractor
- STEMRAN LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- Stir It UpBidder / tenderer
- TARGETED PROVISION LTDFramework contractor
- TEACHING PERSONNEL LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE GARAGE TRUST LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (19)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender