Market Engagement for the future provision of Early Career Framework (ECF)-based training

Tender description

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to invite potential providers to participate in market engagement activity and to notify the market of a planned procurement for provision of Early Career Framework (ECF)-based training. The Department is conducting market engagement via its sourcing portal, Jaggaer (please see: https://www.education.app.jaggaer.com). Potential providers and organisations interested in becoming delivery partners are encouraged to register their interest. An online presentation (via MS Teams) will take place on 30th October 2023. Potential providers that are interested in attending must register their interest and request an invite via Jaggaer. All future information relating to this market engagement will be issued to potential providers via the DfE e-Tendering Portal. Potential providers can access this system at: https://education.app.jaggaer.com. The e-Tendering Portal provides details of how to register and the terms of free registration. Lot 1: The Early Career Framework ("ECF") sets out what early career teachers (‘ECTs’) are entitled to learn about and learn how to do when they start their careers. It underpins an entitlement for 2 years of professional development designed to help ECTs develop their practice, knowledge and working habits. The ECF was based on the most up-to-date research into excellent teaching practice when it was published in 2019. However, evidence does not stand still, and when launching the ECF, DfE committed to updating it as research progresses. In 2023, DfE launched a review of the ECF to ensure it remains up-to-date, and a revised framework will be published accordingly. Providers will need to use this new framework as the foundation of ECF-based training from September 2025. Full details on the programme and support offered to ECTs: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/induction-training-and-support-for-early-career-teachers-ects details of current provision can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-set-up-training-for-early-career-teachers ECF-based training is currently delivered by 6 providers ("Lead Providers") appointed to a multi-provider framework agreement. In addition, the School-Led Development Trust who operate the National institute of Teaching (NIoT) provide ECF-based training under a separate sole-supplier framework agreement. The existing multi-provider Framework Agreement expires in February 2025. The Department is intending on reprocuring a replacement of the multi-provider framework agreement to provide ECF-based training to ECTs from September 2025. The Department is proposing to introduce some changes as to how ECF-based training will be delivered, this includes designing content in accordance with the new Framework. The Department will still be expecting all ECTs to cover all of the content of the ECF through training materials delivered in a set sequence. Providers will be expected in addition to deliver: • ECF-based training, through a mixture of self-study materials and taught sessions, that is tailored to ECTs’ needs, where core content can be supplemented with stretch materials or more intensive support from mentors; • diagnostic tools that indicate to mentors what level of support ECTs need for each topic/theme; • training for mentors that covers mentoring skills and the evidence base underpinning the ECF, to be delivered through taught sessions, access to ECT materials, and detailed materials to support their sessions with ECTs. • Online learning platforms that provide a high quality, hybrid learning experience and meet accessibility and usability standards. It is also anticipated that some Providers who are successful in this procurement will be required to develop materials for schools choosing not to take up a provider-led programme. Additional information will be made available via Jaggaer during the market engagement period. Potential Providers should note that the Department’s specific requirements relating to the delivery of ECF-based training will be subject to the specification, conditions of contract and terms of participation of a subsequent procurement and these may differ from those set out here and in any information presented during the market engagement period. Potential providers interested in delivering ECF-based training are invited to participate in the market engagement exercise to help them understand and comment on the service requirements, the proposed commercial arrangements of the new framework agreement, and to help them prepare for the planned procurement which is intended to launch sometime in early 2024. Organisations who are interested in becoming Lead Providers and / or delivery partners (sub-contractors) to Lead Providers are welcome to join this market engagement activity by registering via Jaggaer and expressing interest in the opportunity. Additional information: Additional information will be provided at the online event and issued via Jaggear during the period of market engagement