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Kent County Council (KCC) is establishing a new Independent and Non‑Maintained Special Schools (INMSS) Open Framework (reference CN260427) to replace the existing NMISS Dynamic Purchasing System when it expires on 31 August 2026. The Framework will support the placement of children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) whose needs cannot be met in mainstream or maintained special school settings, ensuring continuity of provision and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
The Framework will commence on 1 September 2026 for an initial period of 4 years, with potential extensions up to another 4 years, and an estimated maximum total value of £876 million across the full term. It aims to improve outcomes, strengthen quality assurance, enhance pricing transparency, and secure better value for money while ensuring placements remain focused on children with the most complex needs.
Provision under this Framework includes Independent Special Schools (both Section 41 and non‑Section 41) and Non‑Maintained Special Schools. Providers must be appropriately registered with Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and must meet statutory and contractual quality, safeguarding, and compliance requirements.
The Framework uses a two‑lot structure:
Lot A - Strategic Partners, for Tenderers meeting a higher quality threshold and capable of close strategic collaboration with KCC, including potential consideration for longer‑term arrangements such as block contracting.
Lot B - Approved Providers, meeting the standard quality threshold.
The procurement will be conducted via a Competitive Flexible Procedure, comprising a Conditions of Participation Stage followed by an Invitation to Tender for shortlisted providers. Quality evaluation thresholds will determine allocation to Lots.
For full details, all suppliers must access the opportunity through the Kent Business Portal and download the complete document pack: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/
Framework contract: £876,000,000 total value shared among 33 suppliers. Estimated equal shares shown below.
| Supplier | Identifier | Est. Share | Lots Won | Cross-References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Norfolk Ltd | 07448673 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| ALP Schools Limited | 12584668 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| ASD LEARNING LIMITED | 06029171 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| ASPRIS CHILDREN'S SERVICES LIMITED | 06244880 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| ATRIUM EDUCATION LTD | 13999244 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| Barnardo Services Limited | 01227919 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Strategic Partners | - |
| Blue Skies School Ltd | 06427312 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Strategic Partners | - |
| CARMICHAEL EDUCATION LIMITED | 05446414 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| CHALKHILL FARM YOUTH ACTIVITIES LIMITED | 06169669 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| Compass Community Schools Limited | 15250171 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| Cross Keys Learning Limited | 11665912 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| CURLY'S LEGACY | Charity Commission: 1182633 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| Earley Springs School | Procurement ID: PDQJ-8618-NXVP | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| ELMLEY DRAY CIC | 14498669 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| GREAT OAKS SMALL SCHOOL | Charity Commission: 1105559 Companies House: 05189339 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| HORIZON CARE AND EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED | 06454959 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | LOBBYIST GK Strategy Limited (1 quarter) WA Communications Ltd (1 quarter) |
| INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMME | 02820208 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| KINGS PARK SCHOOL LIMITED | 15964077 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| LIFE SKILLS ENTERPRISES LIMITED | 15104495 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| LIFE SKILLS MANOR LTD | Procurement ID: PWWZ-9265-DDXY | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| L&P EDUCATIONAL SERVICES LTD | 11385915 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| MAGIC (UK) LIMITED | Charity Commission: 1163885 Companies House: 08045437 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| N R EDUCATION LTD | 11645737 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| OMG EIS LTD | 15863431 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| OPTIONS AUTISM (7) LIMITED | 03699012 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| OUTCOMES FIRST GROUP (OPERATIONS) 1 LIMITED | 15477170 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL LIMITED | 02665219 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| RIPPLEVALE SCHOOL ROCHESTER LTD | 04547463 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| THE QUEST SCHOOL | Charity Commission: 1106112 Companies House: 04669567 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| The Sallygate School Limited | 12329477 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| THE VIEW SCHOOL LIMITED | 11313257 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
| WITHERSLACK GROUP LIMITED | 03579104 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | LOBBYIST WA Communications Ltd (12 quarters) GK Strategy Limited (5 quarters) |
| YEW TREE FARM SCHOOL C.I.C. | 12349037 | ~£26,545,455 | 1 lot Approved Providers | - |
Taken from this notice, not from Companies House. Check the original notice — details change and are not updated here.
This procurement was divided into 2 lots, each awarded separately. 34 bids were received in total.
| Lot | Value | Bids Received | Awarded To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 Strategic Partners Sept 2026 – Aug 2030 | £876,000,000 | 2 | pending | |
| Lot B Approved Providers Sept 2026 – Aug 2030 | £876,000,000 | 32 | CURLY'S LEGACY Earley Springs School LIFE SKILLS MANOR LTD | pending |
Notices published under the Procurement Act 2023 name every bidder, including unsuccessful ones.
Weightings from the notice, applied to every lot.
Government spending data: These suppliers have received £12,294,818 in 175 payments (over £25k) from Welsh Government, Department for Education, Department for Transport, Home Office, Cumbria Constabulary and 2 more public bodies (2013-11-08 to 2026-04-17).
Changes the buyer published to this notice after it first appeared.
Amendments have been made to the Scope section to include additional dates for market engagement activities.
Additionally, the instructions for requesting an invitation have been updated in the Scope and Engagement sections. Kent County Council has transitioned to a new eTendering portal, rendering previous instructions inaccurate. Interested providers should now email …@kent.gov.uk to request an invite.
Finally, the period for engagement has been updated to reflect the additional sessions.