Suffolk Non-School Alternative Provision Framework

Suffolk County Council is developing an Open Framework to commission non-school alternative provision (NSAP) services for vulnerable children and young people aged 5-19 (up to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan). This framework will include quality-assured providers offering education outside traditional school settings, such as specialist tuition, vocational programmes, therapeutic education, outdoor learning and online/blended models. The council seeks to place pupils who have been permanently excluded, are at risk of exclusion, have significant social-emotional or mental health needs, medical conditions affecting attendance, or require additional support due to SEND, disability, or complex backgrounds including those in public care or with young offender status. Providers must deliver personalised learning with smaller class sizes, pastoral support and robust safeguarding oversight, supporting either reintegration into mainstream education or longer-term alternative arrangements. This framework will replace the current Alternative Education Rolling Select List (CD1397). Interested providers should note that robust quality assurance, attendance monitoring, progress tracking and regular reviews are essential to ensure provision meets individual needs and delivers value for money. This notice is exploratory and does not constitute a formal call for competition.