Temporary and permanent staffing procurement with CPC

Crescent Purchasing Consortium is aware that many of our members across the UK education sector are currently feeling a degree of uncertainty around the procurement of temporary and permanent staffing.

This largely stems from the Department for Education’s new guidance promoting the use of the GCA's Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework from September 2026. The guidance is published in the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook.

Understandably, this has raised questions of what is compliant, what is permitted and importantly, whether you can continue using existing frameworks, such as those offered by CPC. We would like to assure all members... there is no need for concern.

While the Department for Education's guidance mentioned in the Handbook promotes the GCA framework, it does not prohibit the use of alternative procurement frameworks, provided that certain conditions are met. In line with this, from September 2026 onwards, multi-academy trusts are permitted to use an alternative framework or contract...

• That is in compliance with Procurement Act 2023

• Where the total trust or individual school spend exceeds the applicable threshold

• Where pricing does not exceed the agency cap rates detailed by the Department for Education

What this means in practice is that members can continue to use the current, active CPC Temporary and Permanent Staffing framework, provided you are satisfied it meets the above conditions. CPC's procurement framework has been designed with compliance and value at its core, giving you confidence that you remain aligned with regulatory expectations.

The current CPC Temporary and Permanent Staffing framework will remain available until 17th July 2026. Notably, up until the introduction of the guidance, this framework was classed as a DfE-recommended buying route for UK schools and academies...

We appreciate the urgency that many may be feeling, but in most cases, there is no immediate action required.

Rest assured, you can continue to procure staff compliantly through Crescent Purchasing Consortium.

Looking ahead to our new Temporary & Permanent Staffing 2 framework

We’re also pleased to share details of Temporary & Permanent Staffing 2, our new, fully Procurement Act 2023-compliant purchasing framework, as developed in response to sector needs and the relevant regulatory changes. The tender for this framework recently closed and we are currently evaluating submissions, with an intended go-live date of 17th July 2026.

The structure of the new framework

The new framework will offer members a more streamlined lotting structure, with six lots covering all your staffing needs...

Lot 1: Academic Roles

Lot 2: Non-Academic Roles

Lot 3: Executive & Leadership Roles

Lot 4: Managed Services

Lot 5: Neutral Vendor

Lot 6: Vendor Management Systems

The selection of vetted suppliers per lot will range from 10 (Lots 1-3), to 5 (Lots 4-5), to 3 (Lot 6), keeping things manageable.

What this means for you

The new CPC framework is fully compliant with Procurement Act 2023. We have received high levels of supplier interest across all lots, ensuring strong competition at call-off stage with a manageable number of suppliers (it is worth highlighting that the GCA Teachers and Education Recruitment lot contains 163 appointed suppliers).

The forthcoming Temporary & Permanent Staffing 2 framework also offers agency margin caps built in to guarantee value for money. Moreover, the framework will provide full cost transparency, with statutory costs clearly separated and agency margins clearly identified. We will also offer members a new benchmarking tool, enabling you to quickly validate and demonstrate that supplier rates meet required thresholds.

This combination of compliance plus efficiency, transparency and control, enables members to confidently demonstrate their procurement approach meets DfE expectations. The upcoming CPC framework will also offer a variety of call-off mechanisms, including flexible direct award and further competition options.

Supporting you through change

We know that further guidance is expected and that many institutions are seeking clarity. CPC's message is simple: do not fear, clarity is already available and we offer compliant options. Please remember, you are not restricted to a single route. With the right checks in place, CPC remains a compliant, trusted and value-driven solution for your supply staffing requirements.

Need support?

If you would like support assessing your current position, validating compliance, access to supplier pricing at tender stage, or preparing for the transition to the new framework, our team is here to help. Please contact framework lead Katherine Orme by email at [email protected] or phone on 0161 535 0122.