What is the supply teacher framework?

The framework is a government-backed procurement route that gives schools, colleges and other public-sector education settings access to approved recruitment suppliers for temporary, fixed-term and permanent education recruitment. The official agreement covers teachers, education support staff such as teaching assistants and cover supervisors, senior leaders, and a wide range of non-teaching roles too.

For schools, the real benefit is that the framework is built to make buying safer and easier. Official benefits listed for the agreement include:

• compliance with procurement rules

• consistent pre-negotiated terms and conditions

• transparency of costs

• safeguarding and worker screening aligned with DfE standards

• the ability, in some cases, to transfer a temporary worker to a permanent role after 12 weeks at no extra cost, subject to notice requirements.

Why schools like using the framework

One of the biggest advantages of the framework is that it removes a lot of complexity.

For Lot 1, schools in England can use the agency selection tool through a direct award route. The official guidance explains that you need to know the job role and expected length of contract, then you can search suppliers by distance from your organisation, contact suitable suppliers directly, choose your supplier, sign an order form and send it over. You only need to do this once for each supplier, and there is no limit to the number of suppliers you can use.

In practical terms, that means:

• no lengthy tender process for routine staffing needs

• no unnecessary complexity

• a clear, structured route to compliant recruitment

• the flexibility to work with one or more approved suppliers

• a fast route to getting a teacher or support professional in place.

How easy is it to use?

The process is refreshingly simple for schools.

Step 1: Identify your need

Decide the role you need to fill, such as a supply teacher, teaching assistant, cover supervisor or another education support role, and the likely length of assignment.

Step 2: Use the agency selection tool

If you are a school in England with DfE sign-in access, you can use the official tool to identify suitable approved suppliers by distance from your organisation.

Step 3: Choose your supplier

You can contact the suppliers shown in the tool, discuss your requirement and decide who is the best fit for your school.

Step 4: Complete the order form

Once you have chosen a supplier, you sign the order form and send it across. The official guidance says you can use the “Requirement” section to define your exact needs in more detail.

Step 5: Start hiring

Once the supplier has your signed order form and your requirement, they can begin supporting your staffing needs through the framework route.

Fair pricing and full transparency

Another major strength of the framework is price transparency. Official framework information states that schools can see how much the worker is being paid each day and how much the agency or supplier is taking.

That matters because schools want reassurance that they are receiving a fair deal.

At Mana Education, the mark-up we commit to under the framework is the maximum we are permitted to charge under that route. In other words, the framework gives schools clarity and cost protection.

We are also very happy to discuss even better pricing where a school wants to appoint us as a preferred supplier or can offer a strong volume of assignments.

Call us to discuss a pricing arrangement that works for your school.

Why talk to Mana Education?

Choosing a framework supplier is not just about compliance. It is also about service, speed, safeguarding and value.

Schools choose Mana Education because they want:

• a compliant route to supply and recruitment

• a supplier that understands education staffing

• transparent pricing

• the flexibility to discuss preferred supplier rates

• a responsive team that can support urgent and planned vacancies alike

RM6376 and the move from CCS to GCA

The upcoming agreement is RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment, which official CCS pages describe as the replacement for RM6238 Supply Teachers and Temporary Staffing (STaTS). Official published timeline information currently shows framework award in May 2026 / expected award 29 May 2026.

You may also notice the change from Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to Government Commercial Agency (GCA). Official guidance states that this change takes effect from 1 April 2026, and that existing CCS agreements, frameworks and call-offs remain valid during the transition.

Watch our video

Watch our short video to see how the framework works, why schools use it, and how Mana Education can support you with fair, transparent pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the framework difficult to use?

No. For Lot 1, the official route is designed to be straightforward: identify the role and contract length, use the agency selection tool, choose a supplier, complete the order form and proceed.

Does the framework help schools stay compliant?

Yes. Official framework information highlights compliance with procurement rules and pre-negotiated terms and conditions. RM6376 is described as being let under the Procurement Act 2023.

Does the framework help schools secure fair pricing?

Yes. Official framework information highlights transparency of costs, including visibility of worker pay and supplier margin.

Can Mana Education offer better value than the maximum framework mark-up?

Yes. We are open to discussing better rates where we are a school’s preferred supplier or where assignment volumes justify a sharper commercial arrangement.

Can schools use more than one supplier?

Yes. The official guidance says there is no limit to the number of suppliers a school can use, and you only need to complete the order form once for each supplier.