Non-School Alternative Provision / Education other then in school or college – Social Emotional Mental Health (SEMH) and Vocational l Framework

Norfolk County Council has reopened its framework for providers delivering non-school alternative provision for Children and Young People (CYP), inviting new applications from organisations of any size. The framework covers Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision alongside vocational alternative education delivered outside registered mainstream schools.

The open framework enables providers to apply for one or both available lots and will support the Council in commissioning alternative educational provision through either further competition or direct award, depending on the individual requirement.

Service Overview

The framework is divided into two lots:

Lot 1 – Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Provision

This lot is for providers supporting children and young people who experience difficulties managing their emotions and behaviour within an educational setting other than a registered mainstream school.

Lot 2 – Vocational Non-School Alternative Provision

This lot covers providers delivering vocational education, curriculum options and qualifications that are not ordinarily available through mainstream schools.

Providers may submit bids for either individual lots or both.

The framework is being reopened to allow additional suppliers to join.

Framework Information

The framework operates as an open framework with an unlimited number of suppliers able to participate.

When commissioning services, Norfolk County Council may either:

• Run a further competition involving all capable framework suppliers; or
• Make a direct award using the information and pricing submitted during the application process.

The framework may be extended in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. While the procurement notice states an extension to 15 March 2032, the Council notes that the framework may be capable of extending until 15 March 2034, subject to the relevant legislation.

The framework is open to:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs)

Contract Information

Buyer: Norfolk County Council

Deadline: 3 August 2026 – 10:00am

Contract Value: £0 (estimated)

Delivery Length: 21 August 2026 to 15 March 2028, with possible extension to 15 March 2032. The Council advises the framework may be capable of extending until 15 March 2034 in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.

Tender Link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/norfolkcc/aspx/Home

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated using:

• Quality – F1.1 Quality: 50%
• Monitoring and Outcomes – 50%

Contract Locations

The framework covers:

• Norwich and East Norfolk
• North and West Norfolk
• Breckland and South Norfolk

Additional Information

The Council has highlighted that proposals relating to local government reorganisation and the potential creation of new unitary authorities or a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk could result in the transfer, assignment or novation of contracts to successor organisations. Services may also be commissioned on behalf of other local authorities within Norfolk’s geographical boundaries if these changes proceed.

The procurement is being conducted using an Open Procedure under the Light Touch Regime.

This opportunity provides organisations delivering specialist SEMH and vocational education services with the opportunity to join Norfolk County Council’s open framework and compete for future alternative education requirements across the county.

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