If you regularly use the public framework to book supply teachers and education support staff, you will notice a few significant updates taking effect in 2026. Managing a school budget and keeping your classrooms staffed is demanding enough without having to navigate complicated procurement changes. We are here to make the transition straightforward.
First, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) officially became the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) on the 1st of April 2026. Second, the previous agreement has been replaced by a newly renewed framework: RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment. This new framework went live on the 30th of April 2026 and will run until the 29th of April 2029.
While the new name above the door is a prominent change, the framework also introduces vital updates to how schools and trusts procure supply staff. Most notably, a major shift for academy trusts will take effect from September 2026. This blog will guide you through exactly what is new, what remains the same, and the practical steps your school should take to remain compliant and well-staffed.
If you only have two minutes, here is a brief overview of the most critical details you need to know about the new framework:
All schools exceeding the thresholds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) need to ensure they meet the act’s requirements to procure compliantly. The GCA framework provides these schools with a compliant solution.
For schools that have used the framework before, you will find that the day-to-day process of finding a supplier, signing a short order form, and booking a worker works in a very familiar way.
The RM6376 framework brings a few highly impactful changes designed to improve cost efficiency and transparency for school leaders.
This is the most crucial update for trust leaders and business managers. Under the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook, single and multi-academy trusts must procure their supply staff through a recognised framework agreement starting in September 2026. RM6376 is specifically designed to meet this compliance requirement.
In practical terms, academy trusts currently booking supply teachers through non-framework routes will need to update their procurement arrangements before the new academic year begins. This might impact long-standing local agency relationships or managed services procured outside a public framework. Trustees and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) will need to demonstrate clear compliance with this mandate as part of their routine governance reporting.
Local authority schools are not required to follow this mandate. However, many opt to use RM6376 voluntarily, as it offers access to compliant suppliers, standardised terms, and controlled fee caps. Schools exceeding the thresholds set out in the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) must ensure they comply with the Act’s requirements to carry out procurement in a compliant manner.
Budget constraints are a constant challenge in education. RM6376 introduces published caps on the fees a supplier can charge schools on top of the worker’s basic pay and associated employment costs. GCA and the Department for Education have agreed upon these caps to help schools manage their finances more effectively.
RM6376 simplifies procurement by splitting the framework into two distinct lots. Most schools will exclusively use Lot 1 for their daily needs.
Within Lot 1, schools can award a contract without competition. This is the simplest route where you pick a supplier from the agency selection tool, sign a short order form, and secure your staff. Alternatively, larger trusts using Lot 2 can award with competition by running a mini-tender to establish a highly tailored arrangement.
While the updates are important, much of the operational detail you rely on remains exactly the same.
The 12-week temp-to-perm transfer rule still applies. A worker engaged through the framework can transition to a permanent contract at your school with no additional fee, provided they have completed at least 12 weeks of work and you provide 4 weeks of notice. Nominated workers also continue under the new agreement, allowing you to bring a known, trusted supply worker onto framework terms easily. Alternatively, schools can benefit from post-12-week discounts on fees.
Student safety remains the highest priority. Worker vetting standards continue to align strictly with the Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) requirements. All suppliers on RM6376 must vet workers in line with KCSiE, and this critical obligation is explicitly set out in the framework’s terms.
Ultimately, the underlying principle of the framework stands firm. Schools and trusts use it to access reliable, compliant suppliers under standard terms, with visible fees and structured safeguards. RM6376 improves upon that model to better serve your students.
Depending on your school’s structure, you will need to take specific steps to prepare for the September 2026 mandate.
Begin by mapping your current supply staff arrangements against the upcoming mandate. If any schools within your trust book supply staff through a non-framework route, you need to develop a clear transition plan. Review whether direct appointments under Lot 1 or a comprehensive managed service under Lot 2 best fit your operational needs. Finally, verify that your current suppliers are actively named on RM6376 by checking the published supplier list on the GCA website.
If you operate as an academy, the September 2026 mandate applies to you. You will need to follow the same mapping and transition steps as a MAT, simply scaled to your size. Most SATs and small schools find that Lot 1, awarded without competition, is the most efficient and straightforward route to securing top talent.
Using the framework remains entirely optional for you. However, it is highly beneficial to understand how RM6376 works. Transparent charging, capped fees, and standard terms offer excellent value and legal protection, making the framework a smart choice even when it is not strictly required. If your school exceeds PA23 thresholds, the GCA framework provides your school with a compliant solution to meet your school’s requirements under PA23.
You will likely see the old CCS name lingering on school documents, finance systems, and various supplier websites over the coming months. Agreements signed under the previous framework remain entirely valid until they expire, and references to CCS-issued documents continue to apply. These references will naturally update to GCA as the year progresses.
If you want a more comprehensive look at these changes, we provide a free GCA framework handbook for schools and trusts. It covers the operational details of using the agency selection tool and signing your short order forms.
We are proud to be a named supplier on RM6376 Lot 1 and Lot 2. We are a long-standing, REC-audited supplier with regional offices located across England. We believe there is nothing more inspiring than happy and supported staff, and we want to help you place those workers in your classrooms. If you have questions about how the new framework works in practice, our dedicated team is ready to help you navigate it with confidence.
Engage Education has been named as a supplier on Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework, Lot 1: Teachers and Education Recruitment. The framework runs from the 30th of April 2026 to the 29th of April 2029.
Government Commercial Agency (GCA) is the UK’s central commercial and procurement organisation, connecting public and private sectors to achieve the best outcomes for the UK and its citizens. GCA uses its commercial expertise to create a simpler procurement experience that redirects valuable resources into essential public services, creating value for the nation.
Book a 15-minute GCA framework consultation to see what this means for your school or trust.
If you have ever read government procurement documentation cover to cover, you know it is rarely a thrilling experience. Buyer...
Child Safety Week is all about raising awareness about children’s physical safety. It’s an annual community education campaign, to hopefully...
One of the most common assumptions about the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) RM6376 framework is that it exists solely for...
If you have ever read government procurement documentation cover to cover, you know it is rarely a thrilling experience. Buyer...
One of the most common assumptions about the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) RM6376 framework is that it exists solely for...
Navigating staffing shortages alongside fixed, limited budgets is a constant challenge for school leaders. You want to ensure you have...
