TENDER FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPLIERS FRAMEWORK
TENDER FOR LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUPPLIERS FRAMEWORK – WEST SUSSEX UNITED KINGDOM
Reference: C23670
Description
West Sussex County Council are creating a new Framework for Learning and Development to onboard training delivery providers. This framework is intended to establish a flexible and high-quality pool of approved Learning and Development (L&D) Suppliers who can deliver a broad range of services across defined Lots:
Lot 1 – Leadership, Management, Coaching & Professional Supervision
Lot 2 – Health & Social Care Workforce Development
Lot 3 – Corporate Skills, Organisational Development, Culture, Wellbeing & Change
Lot 4 – Digital Learning Design and Development
Lot 5 – IT & Digital Skills Training
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2026 to 4 June 2034
- 7 years, 6 months, 4 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 – Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKJ – South East (England)
Lot 1. Leadership, Management, Coaching & Professional Supervision
Description
To procure learning and development solutions that build the capability, confidence and effectiveness of leaders and managers working within a political, public service and regulatory environment. This Lot supports the development of leadership behaviours that improve outcomes for residents, strengthen organisational culture, enable effective people management and lead change across complex local systems.
Providers appointed to this Lot will be expected to:
Deliver practice‑focused leadership development tailored to public service contexts. (If accreditation is desired, it will be a condition of the specification.)
Demonstrate experience working with stakeholder complexity as is found in the public sector.
Offer flexible delivery options (face‑to‑face, virtual, blended, 1:1 and group‑based).
Provide coaching and mentoring through appropriately accredited or professionally recognised practitioners.
Ensure all materials and delivery methods comply with UK public sector accessibility standards (Latest version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG).
Ensure all language, assets and examples promote inclusivity and represent a diverse range of individuals.
Deliver interventions that are evidence‑informed, inclusive and aligned to council values and behaviours.
Allow the L&D Service to attend and quality assure training provision.
Refrain from promoting, marketing or upselling any additional products or services to delegates during design, delivery or support activities.
Work collaboratively with Council subject matter experts to ensure training delivery remains current, relevant and meets the service need.
Contribute to impact evaluation of events delivered.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Health & Social Care Workforce Development
Description
Adult Services (WSCC)
To procure learning and development solutions that support our internal and external workforce to deliver adult services aligned to the latest strategies which support people to live the life they want to lead, while ensuring that support is sustainable and focused on what matters most to individuals. Our approach is on enablement, using a strengths-based strategy so providing the information and opportunity to assist residents to lead as independent and fulfilling life as they can, in the way they choose, removing (or reducing the level of) dependency on statutory services, through timely interactions with individuals.
Children’s Services (WSCC)
To procure learning and development solutions that support our internal and external workforce to deliver the latest Children’s Services Strategy. We want to develop and retain the right people with the right skills and competences to fulfil the wide variety of roles across Children’s Services. West Sussex County Council is committed to putting Children First and improving the services that we offer.
Develop a diverse, skilled, motivated, engaged and healthy workforce who are clear about standards and expectations.
Create an environment where good practice can flourish.
Enable consistently high standards in the care and protection we provide to children who need it, enabling the best possible outcomes.
Early Childhood Services (WSCC)
To procure learning and development solutions that support our statutory duty to provide training, advice and support to Early Years settings on the 4 key areas;
Improving EYFS outcomes
SEND and vulnerable families
Paediatric first aid
Safeguarding and child protection
Providers appointed to this Lot will be expected to:
Deliver non‑qualification, skills‑focused professional and core skills training suitable for a diverse local authority workforce, to include internal WSCC professionals and external partners.
Evidence subject matter expertise and occupational competency, in the delivery subject matter.
Demonstrate understanding of the public sector context, including equality duties, governance, regulatory frameworks and resident‑focused services.
Work collaboratively with WSCC subject matter experts to ensure training delivery remains current, relevant and meets the service need.
Offer practical, accessible and inclusive learning solutions suitable for a wide range of roles, from qualified, unqualified and alternatively qualified, across all levels of the service.
Provide flexible delivery formats (virtual, in‑person, blended, modular, self‑directed).
Ensure all learning materials comply with public sector accessibility standards (latest version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and incorporate inclusive design principles.
Ensure all language, assets and examples promote inclusivity and represent a diverse range of individuals.
Apply evidence‑informed approaches that support behaviour change, improved performance and high‑quality council service delivery.
Allow WSCC L&D team to attend and quality assure training provision.
Refrain from promoting, marketing or upselling any additional non WSCC products or services to WSCC delegates during design, delivery or support activities.
Contribute to impact evaluation of events delivered.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Corporate Skills, OD, Culture, Wellbeing & Change
Description
To procure learning solutions that develop professional, corporate and core skills alongside organisational development, culture, wellbeing and change capability across WSCC’s workforce. This Lot supports specialist corporate functions, operational services and cross council roles, enabling colleagues to work confidently, effectively and in alignment with public sector standards, regulatory requirements and organisational values. It also strengthens values led transformation, team effectiveness and psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces council roles led transformation, team effectiveness and psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces, council roles-led transformation, team effectiveness and psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces.
Providers appointed to this Lot will be expected to:
Deliver non qualification, skills focused professional, core skills, OD, culture, wellbeing and change learning suitable for a diverse local authority workforce qualification, skills focused professional, core skills, OD, culture, wellbeing and change learning suitable for a diverse local authority workforce-focused professional, core skills, OD, culture, wellbeing and change learning suitable for a diverse local authority workforce.
Demonstrate understanding of the public sector context, including equality duties, governance, legislation, regulatory frameworks and resident focused services focused services.
Create psychologically safe, inclusive learning environments and apply trauma-informed practice and safeguarding considerations-informed practice and safeguarding considerations.
Offer practical, accessible and inclusive learning solutions suitable for a wide range of roles-from leaders and managers, corporate professionals to operational staff.
Provide flexible delivery formats (virtual, in person, blended, modular, self-directed).
Ensure all learning materials comply with public sector accessibility standards (Latest version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG) and incorporate inclusive design principles.
Ensure all language, assets and examples promote inclusivity and represent a diverse range of individuals.
Apply evidence informed approaches that support behaviour change, improved performance and high-quality council service delivery (e.g., systems thinking, change theory, compassionate leadership) informed approaches that support behaviour change, improved performance and high-quality council service delivery (e.g. systems thinking, change theory, compassionate leadership).quality council service delivery (e.g. systems thinking, change theory, compassionate leadership).
Allow WSCC L&D team to attend and quality assure training provision.
Refrain from promoting, marketing or upselling any additional products or services to WSCC delegates during design, delivery or support activities.
Contribute to impact evaluation of events delivered.
* Core skills are the essential workplace abilities all staff need – such as communication, professionalism, teamwork, time management, digital confidence, and problem solving – that enable colleagues to work effectively, inclusively and in line with public sector standards.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Digital Learning Design and Development
Description
To procure specialist expertise in the design and development of high‑quality, modern and accessible learning solutions. Under this Lot, the L&D Consultants will work with relevant stakeholders and Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) to conduct the Learning Needs Analysis and provide a clear specification, outlining the learning outcomes, audience requirements and contextual needs. Providers use this specification to design and/or supply scalable, engaging and inclusive learning resources that meet organisational needs, align with public sector standards and deliver measurable impact.
Providers appointed to this Lot will be expected to:
Use WSCC L&D’s specification as the foundation for design or resource selection.
Demonstrate strong capability in both custom digital learning design and / or curation of pre‑built content.
Deliver accessible, user‑centred learning aligned with public sector standards, WSCC internal standards and industry best practice (Latest version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG).
Apply WCAG‑compliant design, inclusive practices and plain English principles.
Ensure all language, assets and examples promote inclusivity and represent a diverse range of individuals.
Provide clear methods for evaluation, analytics and demonstrating learning effectiveness.
Offer scalable, flexible commercial models for both bespoke design and pre‑built content supply.
Use WSCC‑approved editing and content‑creation software (e.g., Articulate 360 or other platforms WSCC has access to), ensuring compatibility with local systems. The exception to this would be for ‘off the shelf’ learning resources.
When Learning resource is hosted on WSCC Learning Management System you will supply all final deliverables in agreed formats, including SCORM‑compliant files, transcripts, captions, alt‑text and any supporting assets required for hosting and accessibility.
If learning is hosted externally this should be compliant from an accessibility and a data management requirement standpoint.
Ensure WSCC receives full ownership and unrestricted usage rights for all bespoke materials created under this Lot, including source files, so content can be updated internally in future.
Refrain from promoting, marketing or upselling any additional products or services to WSCC delegates during design, delivery or support activities.
Contribute to impact evaluation of events delivered.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 5. IT & Digital Skills Training
Description
To procure learning solutions that build the digital capability of colleagues across the local authority workforce. This Lot supports the council’s digital transformation ambitions by increasing confidence, skills and behaviours needed to use modern digital tools, work efficiently, deliver excellent resident services and safeguard information.
roviders appointed to this Lot will be expected to:
Deliver non‑qualification, skills‑focused learning suitable for a diverse local authority workforce.
If required offer flexible delivery models (e.g., virtual, in‑person, blended, self‑directed) to support accessibility and operational needs.
Demonstrate experience in public sector or local government contexts, with an understanding of statutory, data, accessibility and cyber requirements.
Provide training that is practical, application‑focused and aligned to everyday council tasks, rather than theoretical or vendor‑certification‑based.
Ensure materials comply with UK public sector accessibility standards and promote inclusive learning (Latest version of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines – WCAG).
Ensure all language, assets and examples promote inclusivity and represent a diverse range of individuals.
Allow WSCC L&D team to potentially attend and quality assure training provision.
Refrain from promoting, marketing or upselling any additional products or services to WSCC delegates during design, delivery or support activities.
Contribute to impact evaluation of events delivered.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
4 June 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Suppliers must meet the minimum required selection criteria for entry onto the Framework Agreement and maintain the requisite criteria throughout the duration of the Contract. There are no other restrictions on who can or cannot join the Framework Agreement and Suppliers may apply to join at any time during the lifetime of the Framework Agreement Period as entry remains open throughout this period.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Leadership, Management, Coaching & Professional Supervision
Lot 2. Health & Social Care Workforce Development
Lot 3. Corporate Skills, OD, Culture, Wellbeing & Change
Lot 4. Digital Learning Design and Development
Lot 5. IT & Digital Skills Training
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 September 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
30 September 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 November 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) | Quality |
Weighting description
To gain a place on the framework bidders will need to successfully pass the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ).
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
West Sussex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXJW-5627-QRQR
County Hall, West Street
Chichester
PO19 1RQ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Lucy Kelly
Region: UKJ27 – West Sussex (South West)
Organisation type: Public authority – sub-central government