Birmingham Virtual School Training Services Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA)

Procurement reference

P0886

Procurement description

Birmingham City Council (the "Council") wishes to establish a Flexible Contracting Agreement (FCA) for Birmingham Virtual School (BVS) Training Services in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, applying the provisions for Light Touch Contracts as defined in Section 9 of the Act and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024. These provisions apply to certain social, health, and education services that are subject to more flexible procurement rules due to their direct impact on individuals and communities.

The Training FCA will cover training for professionals in children's schools, social workers, families, carers, and other key stakeholders in Birmingham and any other local authorities where children may be placed.

The Training FCA will serve as the primary channel for delivering training tailored to the needs of adults responsible for supporting the educational achievement of children known to a social worker. The programme is designed to equip these individuals including BVS staff, carers, guardians, adoptive parents, designated teachers, school staff, governors, social workers, and Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) with the essential knowledge and skills required to effectively promote the educational outcomes of children in care, previously looked after, or otherwise known to social services.

The contract(s) being procured have been split into Lots, as follows.

Lot 1: Training for staff at educational establishments and other professionals

Lot 2: Training for Social Care Professionals

Lot 3: Training for Parents, Carers and Family Members

The Council reserves the right to reopen the procurement and conduct additional tender processes during the term of the FCA. This may be done to appoint new providers to the FCA where necessary to meet evolving service needs or ensure adequate market coverage.

The Training Services FCA will be for a period of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years (on a 1+1 basis) subject to performance and budget.

Main category

Services

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

600000 GBP to 600000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

08 December 2025, 00:00AM to 07 December 2029, 23:59PM

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Birmingham City Council

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Type of framework

Closed

Award method when using the framework

With reopening competition

Framework operation description

Appointment to the flexible contracting agreement is based on 100% quality.

Description

To include a range of learning and development activities to meet the learning and development requirements of the staff at education establishments and other professionals. The learning and development activity provided must meet national and local standards, as well as any legislative requirements, and will be tailored to suit each key stage.

Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples include initial and refresher training for designated teachers, school improvement training and training to support staff to develop their skills and knowledge to support children know to social care improve educational attainment and actively participate in educational pathways.

CPV classifications

• 80500000 - Training services
• 80510000 - Specialist training services
• 80522000 - Training seminars

Lot value (estimated)

200000 GBP Excluding VAT

240000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

08 December 2025, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

07 December 2029, 23:59PM

Participation

Award criteria

Description

To include a range of learning and development activities for the adult social care workforce of Birmingham.  This includes providing learning opportunities to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Personal Education Plans (PEPs). The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices. 

Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from social workers includes Practical use of the ePEP system and Personal Education Plans and Pupil Premium Plus training.

CPV classifications

• 80500000 - Training services
• 80510000 - Specialist training services
• 80522000 - Training seminars

Lot value (estimated)

200000 GBP Excluding VAT

240000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

08 December 2025, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

07 December 2029, 23:59PM

Participation

Award criteria

Description

This will cover bespoke learning and development activities for parents, carers and family members. This includes providing learning opportunities to support them in helping children with learning at home and motivational techniques. The learning and development offered is required to meet national and local standards as well as any legislative requirements around social care practices. 

Commissioned activity will include tailored face-to-face and virtual classroom-based courses in response to legislative change and bespoke learning activity to meet the identified needs of specific groups or teams. Examples of the types of learning and development requested from carers includes attachment awareness and trauma informed practice, emotion coaching, education basics and homework and learning in everyday situations.

CPV classifications

• 80500000 - Training services
• 80510000 - Specialist training services
• 80522000 - Training seminars

Lot value (estimated)

200000 GBP Excluding VAT

240000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

08 December 2025, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

07 December 2029, 23:59PM

Participation

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

08 October 2025, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

30 September 2025, 12:00PM

Date of award of contract

16 November 2025, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

This framework agreement is being issued using the Council's e-tendering system 'In-tend' and organisations must ensure that they are registered users. The procurement process will be managed using this system and therefore all bids must be submitted by Tenderers via the 'in-tend' system. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc Registration and use of in-tend is free. All correspondence for this procurement process must be via the in-tend correspondence function and you should not contact any individual directly either by email or by telephone. If you are already a registered user, you do not have to re-register. If you are unable to register with in-tend or are experiencing difficulties, please email the etendering@birmingham.gov.uk. Tender deadline submission is noon on 8th October 2025.

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English