Flexible Learning Support Framework

Overview

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is setting up a Flexible Learning Support Framework to provide high-quality education and support for children, young people, and young adults who need alternative, additional, or specialist provision. The aim is to make sure every learner can access flexible, personalised support that helps them stay engaged, improve their wellbeing, make progress, and achieve positive long-term outcomes. We welcome a wide range of providers to apply. This includes education providers, alternative provision settings, specialist support services, training organisations, community and voluntary groups, therapeutic practitioners, employers, and organisations offering vocational, employability, or life-skills opportunities. We particularly encourage applications from small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs), voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, and local providers. This framework is part of the Council’s wider work to improve the availability, quality, and choice of education and support services across Dudley. We want services that respond to local needs, meet statutory responsibilities, and create positive social value for children, families, and the wider community. Providers on the framework will need to demonstrate strong safeguarding, effective partnership working, good quality assurance processes, and a commitment to ongoing improvement. We are looking for forward-thinking providers who can deliver accessible, high-quality support that helps children and young people achieve their potential and move successfully into education, employment, training, or independent adulthood. A pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) will be established, comprising an initial admission stage followed by call‑off stages. After the initial admission phase, the pseudo DPS will reopen and remain continuously accessible for new applications throughout the duration of the contract. The Council reserves the right to use the powers available to it under Section 21 of the Procurement Act 2023 and Schedule 8, paragraph 1(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This includes the Council’s ability under Section 21 PA23 to issue tender notices and associated tender documents as required for the lawful conduct of the procurement process, as well as its ability under Schedule 8, paragraph 1(a) PA23 to make permitted contract modifications without commencing a new procurement procedure, where such modifications meet the statutory conditions.