S1196a - Flexible Procurement Solution for Alternative Education Provision

This Service Specification provides the background and set of service requirements each prospective FPS provider (provider) must demonstrate to be included on the Salford City Council’s (the Council) Flexible Procurement Solution (FPS) for Alternative Education Provision.

The FPS will be used to commission alternative education provision (placements) for pupils for whom the Council has statutory or discharged responsibilities for placing in appropriate and compliant alternative education provision.

The aim is to create the FPS and identify Providers who can deliver excellent alternative provision for the education of pupils at Key Stage 1 and up by offering a flexible approach for those not placed in a mainstream or special school.

Although many pupils attend mainstream schools, academies or colleges to receive their education some pupils benefit from receiving some, or all, of their education and support in 'off-site' settings that are delivered away from their school.

This need to source suitable alternative provision shall be met through the use of a Flexible Procurement Solution (FPS), established under the light touch regime for social and other specific services.
Providers may apply to join the FPS (or submit a new offer if currently on the FPS), at any time during the period the FPS is live. It is anticipated that submissions shall be collated and assessed twice a year:
• January
• May
The Council however, reserves the right to assess submissions more frequently if required.

The services to be provided through the FPS have been split into 10 lots:
- Lot 1: Full-time Alternative Provision - Academic
- Lot 2: Part-time Alternative Provision - Academic
- Lot 3: Part-time Alternative Provision - Vocational
- Lot 4: Part-time Alternative Provision – Online Learning
- Lot 5: Alternative Provision - One-to-One Tutoring
- Lot 6: Part-time Alternative Provision – Enrichment and Engagement
- Lot 7: Alternative Provision – SEND
- Lot 8: Alternative Provision - Post 16
- Lot 9: Full-time Alternative Provision – Key Stage 1 & 2
- Lot 10: Part-time Alternative Provision – Key Stage 1 & 2

For clarity providers may bid for one or multiple lots.