What Is the GCA Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment Framework?

The Government Commercial Agency (GCA) Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment Framework (RM6376) is the Department for Education's approved procurement route for schools and academy trusts seeking supply teachers and education staff. It replaced the previous CCS Supply Teachers and Temporary Staffing Framework in 2026.

The framework provides:

✅ Pre-approved education recruitment suppliers

✅ Transparent and capped supplier fees

✅ Fully compliant safeguarding and vetting procedures

✅ Pre-negotiated terms and conditions

✅ Procurement compliance

✅ Improved value for money for schools and trusts

✅ Free temporary-to-permanent transfers after qualifying periods

✅ Access to specialist education recruitment agencies with proven track records

Official guidance can be found here:

Department for Education – Guidance on Supply Staff Mandate

Why Are Academy Trusts Being Encouraged to Use the GCA Framework?

From September 2026, the Department for Education requires academy trusts to procure supply staff through the GCA framework unless they can demonstrate that an alternative procurement route:

• Complies with procurement legislation.
• Delivers equal or better value for money.
• Does not exceed the pricing available through the GCA framework.

In practice, this means many academy trusts will find it difficult to justify using non-framework agencies unless they can provide clear evidence that they are achieving equivalent or better commercial outcomes.

For school leaders, business managers and procurement teams, using a GCA-approved supplier provides reassurance that procurement decisions can be easily justified and audited.

Why Choose Mana Education?

Long-Term Framework Experience

Mana Education has been an approved supplier since the original CCS Supply Teachers Framework and continues to hold approved supplier status under the latest GCA agreement.

This demonstrates our long-standing commitment to:

• Safeguarding excellence
• Regulatory compliance
• Ethical recruitment
• Value for money
• Educational quality

Outstanding Compliance Standards

All candidates supplied by Mana Education undergo rigorous vetting procedures aligned with Department for Education safeguarding requirements and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) standards.

Our compliance processes include:

✔️ Enhanced DBS verification

✔️ Barred List checks

✔️ Identity verification

✔️ Right to Work checks

✔️ Qualification verification

✔️ Employment history checks

✔️ Professional references

✔️ Teacher Regulation Agency checks

✔️ Overseas checks where required

For schools preparing for Ofsted inspections, this provides confidence that supply staff have been recruited and vetted to recognised standards.

High Quality Teachers and Support Staff

Mana Education supplies:

• Primary Teachers
• Secondary Teachers
• SEN Teachers
• Teaching Assistants
• SEN Teaching Assistants
• Cover Supervisors
• HLTAs
• Learning Support Assistants
• Behaviour Mentors
• SEND Specialists
• School Administrators
• Senior Leaders
• Permanent Teaching Staff

Our extensive talent network allows us to respond quickly to both planned and emergency staffing requirements.

Understanding Framework Pricing

One area that sometimes causes confusion is the pricing information published within the GCA framework.

The rates displayed against framework suppliers represent the maximum supplier fee caps permitted under the agreement. These are ceiling rates established by the Government Commercial Agency to ensure transparency and prevent excessive margins.

Importantly, these rates are not necessarily the rates schools will pay.

Mana Education Can Often Offer Better Value

Many schools and trusts benefit from pricing below the published maximum framework rates.

For:

• Multi-Academy Trusts
• School groups
• High-volume users
• Long-term placements
• Preferred supplier arrangements

Mana Education can often negotiate enhanced commercial terms whilst remaining fully compliant with framework requirements.

We actively work with schools to create staffing solutions that balance quality, compliance and budget considerations.

Additional Financial Benefits

Schools using the GCA framework can benefit from:

No Temp-to-Perm Fees After 12 Weeks

Under framework rules, schools can often transfer a temporary worker into a permanent role without paying a transfer fee after qualifying periods and notice requirements have been met.

Transparent Cost Breakdown

Framework pricing provides greater visibility into:

• Teacher pay rates
• Employment costs
• Agency fees

This transparency helps schools demonstrate value for money and budget effectively.

Reduced Procurement Risk

Using a pre-approved framework supplier removes many of the procurement challenges associated with sourcing staff outside approved agreements.

Supporting Schools Across the East Midlands and Eastern England

Mana Education supports schools throughout:

• Northamptonshire
• Leicestershire
• Rutland
• Lincolnshire
• Cambridgeshire
• Peterborough
• Nottinghamshire
• Derbyshire
• Bedfordshire
• Norfolk

We work with:

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools
• SEN Schools
• Alternative Provisions
• Academy Trusts
• Independent Schools
• Colleges