22nd June 2020

CCS Framework: Benefits for schools

Welcome to the CCS Handbook series, which covers everything you need to know about the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) framework for the DfE-approved Supply Teachers and Agency Workers deal.

The framework is designed to help schools get value for money and find agencies that follow best practices in safeguarding and compliance. You can find out more about it here.

In this article, we’ll be exploring the specific benefits of the CCS framework for schools in more detail. These benefits can be broadly categorised into three sections:

1. Financial benefits
2. Legislative benefits
3. Time-saving benefits

Financial Benefits of the CCS Framework

The CCS framework was developed to help schools reduce the amount of public money they spend on supply agencies. The DfE is calling on more schools to use the framework when recruiting supply teachers and other agency workers in order to ensure their resources are being used as effectively as possible.

Transparency of costs

All preferred suppliers on the CCS framework have to set out their markup up-front, allowing schools to compare prices and quality. The online selection tool shows all fees that a recruitment agency will charge on top of staff wages and associated costs, so you know what you are getting for your money.

Zero temp to perm fees  

When your school has hired a worker on CCS terms, you can avoid any temp-to-perm fees once the worker has worked 12 weeks or more – provided you give 4 weeks’ notice.

Compliance

With the CCS framework, schools can rest assured the commercial terms do not equate to a neglect of legislative compliance, as all listed agencies are required to demonstrate compliance and safeguarding best practices through an approved auditing body.

At Engage, we are audited by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, and our practices have consistently received the REC Audit Gold Standard.

This level of compliance means that thorough background checks are completed on every worker before they are cleared for work.

See here for a list of all checks required by the CCS.

OJEU Procurement Legislation

Public procurement in the UK and the rest of the EU is governed by a number of directives and regulations, which are then implemented in national legislation. This legislation lays out procedures for the award of public supply, service and works contracts over a specified threshold amount.

By using the CCS framework, you can ensure that your school remains compliant with all UK and EU legislation associated with the recruitment of temporary employees.

Time-saving benefits

In addition to the financial and legislative benefits of using the CCS framework, there are some practical time-saving benefits that can be applied to free up more time for your school leaders and business managers.

We are aware that many schools are often inundated with calls and emails from supply agencies, putting pressure on your school switchboard and meeting calendar. By only working with CCS-approved suppliers (which make up just 17% of agencies in the UK) you can drastically reduce this pressure by fielding calls without missing out on the quality or cost-effectiveness of your supply workers.