Community Learning and Adult Skills Services Framework

SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL invites applications from suitably experienced organisations for the delivery of a range of high quality Community Learning and Adult Skills Services. The Services will be provided under a multiple provider framework agreement which will be divided into two Lots. The Framework will be used to provide adult skills and community learning courses in Southampton. The Council’s current annual budget for adult skills is £113,000 and for community learning services is £260 000. Additional grant income received from the Skills Funding Agency could bring the total budget to £3,000,000 over 4 years but is not guaranteed. Applicants may bid for one or both of the Lots. The council anticipates awarding a maximum of 20 service providers to each framework. Lot 1 – Community Learning – the service will be required to provide learning opportunities across a variety of interest areas to a broad range of learners, some of whom may need to meet specific criteria. The range of learning activities required will include: ? Targeted family learning activities to increase parent skills and ability to support their child’s learning; ? Learning opportunities and support activities for people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods; ? Innovative and accessible learning opportunities delivered directly in specified local communities; ? Neighbourhood, civil renewal and active citizenship skills, knowledge and behaviours; and ? Support for residents returning to learning, particularly at Entry and Level 1, enabling them to progress to achieve Functional Skills and Level 2/3 qualification outcomes, and helping to re-engage learners within the context of social inclusion. Lot 2 – Adult Skills Budget – the service will be required to deliver accredited courses to eligible learners. Currently the funding is being targeted at learners who are unemployed and seeking work. The service aims to fill gaps in provision within the City and to respond to local labour market needs. Service Providers will need to meet qualification requirements across all Lots within the Framework. It is anticipated that the Framework Agreement will commence in August 2015 and will be for a period of four years with possible extension of up to a further three years. Please note that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) may apply. Further details will be included in the invitation to tender documentation. In the interests of efficient public procurement, the contracts will be accessible (by agreement) to other Local & Regional Authorities within Hampshire and other neighbouring counties, members of the Central Buying Consortium (CBC) as listed at http://www.cbconline.org.uk/index.htm and members of Improvement and Efficiency South East listed here http://www.southeastiep.gov.uk/homep.asp? Whilst every effort has been made to consider the full scope of the requirement the Council does not guarantee the volume of service required resulting from this tender or that it will accept any tender on completion of the tender exercise. The services will be provided under a multiple provider framework agreement which will be divided into two Lots. The Framework will be used to provide services funded by the Skills Funding Agency. Providers may bid for either of the Lots, or both of the Lots. An indicative first year budget and numbers of learners is provided against each Lot to assist potential providers in deciding whether to express an interest.