There is an arrangement in place in the North West that allows schools to purchase Alternative Provision via a regional contractual agreement. This is called a Flexible Purchasing System or ‘FPS’. This puts in place contractual arrangements and a specification for services delivered. There are two ‘lots’ or categories under which Alternative Provision can join the contract; Lot 6 Registered Provision and Lot 7 Unregistered Provision. 

Providers on this system have met a specific set of criteria:

• Agreed to deliver a service that meets the advertised specification. 
• Passed finance checks. 
• Committed to having an agreed level of insurance. 
• Meet an acceptable standard in an Information Governance questionnaire.
• Have an Ofsted registration or equivalent and are rated Requires Improvement, Good or Outstanding. 

For Lot 7 Unregistered Provision there is also a requirement that providers submit:

• Behaviour Policy 
• Health and Safety Policy 
• Safeguarding and Vulnerable Children Policy. Including evidence through this policy that their safeguarding practice meets the current required standards as described in national guidance and the law, (see KCSIES 2022). 
• Complaints Procedure
• Data Protection and information management
• Staffing Policy (to include Safer Recruitment, Process for disregarding DBS disclosures and Code of Conduct and separate Whistleblowing Policy if not included)
• Absence management and reporting procedure
• Fixed term and permanent exclusion policy and procedure

These policies are not evaluated and are provided for information only. These can be made available to anyone placing through the purchasing system. 

Schools using the FPS will benefit from:

• An assurance that a minimum level of criteria has been met. 
• Defined service specification and set of terms and conditions to work to.
• Template agreement and set of terms and conditions for each placement. 
• Use of indicative pricing to be able to benchmark prices offered in response to referrals. 
• Recourse to put in place sanctions if the provider does not meet the agreed standards.
• Knowledge of local providers who may better meet the needs of children but be operating in a neighbouring or nearby authority. 

As the FPS is a regional contract there are additional benefits that come alongside the use of this contact including:

• Links to other schools and local authorities to obtain references and improve due diligence on new providers. 
• Introduction of the Information Sharing Protocol to support local understanding of risk. (Coming soon)
• Work on developing templates for quality assurance and best practice guidance. (Coming soon)

• Carry out appropriate due diligence to ensure that the children they are responsible for are safe. ​ 
• Monitor progress and outcomes for children in placements.​ 
• Communicate any issues with providers to NWADCS. ​ 

Where can I access the contract documents?

Local authorities can request a copy of the document pack from placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk.

Do I need to use the terms and conditions and specification provided?

Yes, these form the basis of the agreement. However, there is the option to vary these in the Individual Placement Agreement or to put in place specific requirements for the individual child. If you have feedback on elements of the standard terms and conditions that do not work for you please let us know, if this is a theme across the region we can make adjustments to the contract documents if needed.

Why do I need an Individual Placement Agreement when there is a contract already in place?

The FPS agreement is between the provider and the lead authority (Cheshire East) and defines their agreement to the specification and terms and conditions. This is signed once when a provider joins the FPS. The IPA agreement defines the agreement between the placing authority and the provider in relation to the individual child. This allows specific accommodations to be made for that child if needed. 

How do I make a placement through the FPS?

We issue information on providers on the FPS to local authorities on the 1st of each month. This includes their contact and referral details, service information and indicative pricing. Authorities can use this information to contact providers who may have a suitable place for a child. 

Why aren't there many providers in my area listed?

AP providers have only had one opportunity to join the FPS. We will run regional provider information sessions prior to and during each round in September but can also support local authorities who want to do more targeted work with providers in their area. 

How can our school sign up to use the FPS?

You need to return a copy of the 'Request to join' form to placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk. This form can be found in the documents section of this web page. 

How do I report an issue with a provider?

Please email placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk if there are any concerns about a provider or if there is an update to a provider's information. 

What are Lots 1 - 5?

Lots 1 - 5 are for local authorities to purchase placements in Independent Non Maintained Special Schools and Specialist Post 16 Institutions. These are not available for use by schools. 

Where can I go for advice?

You can contact placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk or colleagues from your local authority. 

We recognise that many colleagues may not be familiar with some of the terminology used and welcome questions on this. 

NWADCS: Regional sector led improvement service operating on behalf of the 24 North West authorities.​ 

Flexible Purchasing System 'FPS': providers have a contract with the lead authority (Cheshire East in this case) and then other purchasing authorities can 'call off'. New providers can join in each annual round. ​ 

Round: This is the opportunity each year for new providers to join the FPS. 

Lot: These are categories that define the services and pricing that providers are signing up to. Some providers may be on several lots. 

Individual Placement Agreement 'IPA': also known as a 'Call Off Contract'. This is between the authority or school and the provider and relates to a specific child. ​ 

Purchasing Authority: Local authority or school who is signed up to the FPS to be able to make placements through the contract.​ 

Provider: Independent Non-Maintained Specials Schools or organisation offering Alternative Provision. ​

Please contact placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk. 

We are always happy to speak to you or colleagues from your school or authority to answer any questions you have.