Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Inclusion Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework

The Department for Education (DfE) is establishing a major national framework for the development and delivery of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and inclusion Continuing Professional Development (CPD) across the education sector.

The framework will provide a route to market for services including SEND research, CPD design and development, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, digital learning, participant recruitment and training delivery.

Framework Lots

The framework is divided into five Sub-Lots:

• 1.1 – School Teachers and Leaders: £40m
• 1.2 – Further Education Teachers and Leaders: £23m
• 1.3 – School Teaching Assistants: £35m
• 1.4 – Further Education Support Staff: £17m
• 1.5 – Combined Audiences: £235m

Suppliers can apply for one or more Sub-Lots, with no maximum number of suppliers appointed to the framework. Successful suppliers will compete for future DfE requirements through call-off competitions.

The DfE is also procuring initial contracts covering school and further education teachers and leaders, teaching assistants and further education support staff. Only suppliers successfully appointed to the relevant framework Sub-Lots at Stage 1 will be eligible for these Stage 2 competitions.

Contract Information

Buyer: Department for Education
Deadline: 29 October 2026, 12:00pm
Enquiry Deadline: 15 October 2026, 11:59pm
Contract Value: £624.8m excluding VAT (£781m including VAT)
Delivery Length: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031, with potential 1+1 year extensions to 31 March 2033
Tender Link: Department for Education Jaggaer eSourcing Portal

The framework is identified as particularly suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

Evaluation

The procurement uses a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure.

Stage 1 is threshold-based and determines appointment to the framework and relevant Sub-Lots. Suppliers must satisfy the required participation, financial and mandatory assessment thresholds.

Stage 2 will cover competitions for the initial SEND CPD contracts. Detailed quality, commercial and award criteria will only be issued to eligible framework suppliers invited to Stage 2.

The framework represents a substantial national opportunity for organisations specialising in SEND, inclusive education, professional development, research, digital learning and workforce training.

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