Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
UK
E-mail: SendBaea.COMMERCIAL@education.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Early Years (EY) Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Provision of Phase 2 Materials and Training
Reference number: EY SEND CPD Phase 2
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Value range: Up to £27,600,000 inclusive of VAT.
Following the EY SEND CPD Market Engagement in March 2026, the Department launches this deliverable in response to commitments in the 'Every child achieving and thriving' white paper which detailed a series of reforms of the SEND system, including the need for high-quality SEND CPD and the Best Start in Life strategy which commits to making inclusive practice standard practice in the early years.
The Department is looking to procure the development and delivery of a package of new, national, comprehensive continuous professional development (CPD) for all Early Years Practitioners (EYPs) on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) training materials. Phased delivery of this new training package should start from September 2027
The training should be specific to SEND in early years only, specifically ages 0-4.
It should be available and applicable to all early years practitioners, regardless of qualification level or setting type (Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVIs), school-based nurseries, childminders etc.) and meet government accessibility standards.
This procurement will be phase 2 of a programme to improve SEND capability and inclusive practice in EY settings. Phase 1 is being procured for separately and will be in place from September 2026.
The supplier will provide Phase 2 of the programme that will include:
- A suite of online modules, available to all EYPs and accessible for professionals in the wider EY sector (Best Start Inclusion Practitioners (BSIPs) within Best Start Family Hubs (BSFH), health visitors, Reception teachers, etc.);
- Interactive, online webinars centred on the online modules, designed to enhance learning and embed inclusive practice, available to all EYPs with some webinars targeted at specific groups (e.g. childminders, leaders);
- A face to face local support offer to share best practice and strengthen local networks.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
23 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
80340000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Department intends to use the standard award competition process of the RM6219 Learning and Training Services Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This is a Government Commercial Agency agreement.
RM6219 applies a 1% GCA (formerly CCS) management fee on supplier sales through the DPS.
Crown Commercial Service became Government Commercial Agency on 1 April 2026
Please ensure that you are registered under the “Bespoke training” learning category of the RM6219 Learning and Training Services Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) before the tender is due to go live 15 July 2026.
If you are not registered you cannot be included in the procurement.
The filters applicable to to this procurement are - Coaching & Mentoring, LMS Software, Delivery & Content, Specialist / Niche
Quick Supplier Guide can be found within Documents area of this link - https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6219
Please ensure that you are also registered on the Department for Education eSourcing Portal Jaggaer. If you have not yet registered on the eSourcing Portal, this can be done online at https://education.app.jaggaer.com by following the link 'To register click here'.
Estimated Timelines
(All timings indicative)
Procurement
Publication of PIN: 01 July
Issue of DPS Call off competition: 15 July
DPS Call off competition live: 15 July to 04 September
Procurement outcome and contract negotiations: October / November 2026
Contract signed: November 2026
Mobilisation & Delivery
Initial material development: November/December 2026 - September 2027
First phase of deliverables produced and delivered by: September 2027
All strands of the package must be fully operational and actively delivered, at the latest, by September 2028
II.2.14) Additional information
Links:
RM6219 Learning and Training Services Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS): https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6219
Jaggaer registration link (eSourcing Portal): https://education.app.jaggaer.com
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
16/11/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
01/07/2026