GCA framework supplier — RM6376 Supply Teachers
The GCA framework for supply teachers and education recruitment
If your school or academy trust is seeking a compliant and transparent way to book supply staff, the Government Commercial Agency’s RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework is the trusted solution for many schools across England. Engage Education is proud to be a named supplier on Lot 1 of this framework. On this page, we’ll guide you through how the framework works, who it’s designed for, and how your school can make the most of it.
What’s changed in 2026?
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) became the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) on 1 April 2026. The new framework agreement RM6376 went live on 30 April 2026 and runs to 29 April 2029. From September 2026, all single and multi-academy trusts must procure supply staff through a framework agreement, in line with the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook.
To make supplier fees transparent and capped
Schools can see exactly what’s being charged on top of worker pay.
To make safeguarding standards consistent
Every named supplier vets workers in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE).
To reduce the procurement effort for schools
Standard terms, a short order form, no need to negotiate every supplier engagement from scratch.
What the framework is, in plain terms
RM6376 is a national procurement framework for hiring supply teachers, support staff and other school-based workers. It exists for three reasons:
- To make supplier fees transparent and capped — schools can see exactly what’s being charged on top of worker pay.
- To make safeguarding standards consistent — every named supplier vets workers in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE).
- To reduce the procurement effort for schools — standard terms, a short order form, no need to negotiate every supplier engagement from scratch.
The framework was developed jointly by the Department for Education and GCA. It runs alongside other school procurement frameworks but is the only one specifically designed for supply teaching and education recruitment.
Who can use the framework
RM6376 is open to a broad range of public sector buyers, including:
Independent fee-paying schools are not eligible to use the framework, and international schools are also outside its scope.
The September 2026 mandate for academy trusts
From September 2026, all single and multi-academy trusts will be required to procure supply staff through a framework agreement, as outlined in the 2026 Academy Trusts Handbook. RM6376 is the designated framework to help trusts meet this compliance requirement.
For academy trusts currently relying on non-framework routes—such as long-standing local agency partnerships or managed services outside public frameworks—this will mean updating procurement processes ahead of the new academic year. Trustees and CFOs will also need to ensure compliance with the mandate is clearly demonstrated in their governance reporting.
Local authority maintained schools are not bound by this mandate. However, many choose to use RM6376 voluntarily, benefiting from its capped fees, compliant suppliers, and standardised terms, while retaining the flexibility to opt in.
How the framework is structured
RM6376 has two lots. Most schools will only ever use Lot 1.
Lot 1 – Teachers and Education Recruitment
For directly appointing teachers, support staff and other school-based workers, one booking at a time. This is the route used for day-to-day supply, fixed-term placements, and individual permanent hires. Engage Education is named as a supplier on Lot 1.
Lot 2 – Managed Service Provision
For appointing a single supplier to manage all your temporary and permanent staffing needs through their own supply chain. Typically used by larger multi-academy trusts that want a consolidated, single-supplier arrangement across multiple schools.
Capped supplier fees
Under RM6376, the supplier’s fee, charged in addition to the worker’s pay and statutory employment cost, is capped.
Up to £45 per day for teachers
Up to £38 per day for education support staff
These are maximums, not flat rates. Suppliers can charge less, particularly for higher-volume bookings or longer placements. The fee shown in the GCA agency selection tool is the supplier’s stated rate; the rate you actually pay may be lower depending on your circumstances.
Importantly, the cap applies only to the supplier’s margin. Worker pay and statutory employment costs (employer NI, pension contributions, holiday pay accrual) are separate line items on every invoice, and unaffected by the cap.
How to use the framework
Most schools and trusts can be live on the framework within an afternoon. The process:
You can sign short order forms with as many suppliers as you like. Most schools work with two or three regularly, and bring in others for specialist needs.
Two features worth knowing about
Temp-to-perm transfers at no extra cost
If a worker you’ve hired through the framework proves to be a great fit, you can transition them to a permanent contract at no extra cost—provided they’ve completed at least 12 weeks of work with you under framework terms and you give 4 weeks’ notice. Outside the framework, agencies often charge permanent placement fees that can reach thousands of pounds. Within the framework, after 12 weeks, that fee is zero.
Nominated workers
If you already know someone you want to bring in, perhaps a former staff member, or a teacher recommended by a colleague, you can refer them to a framework supplier as a nominated worker. The supplier handles the vetting, payroll and KCSiE compliance, even though you sourced the candidate. Nominated worker fees are typically lower than fully agency-sourced placements.
Why work with Engage Education on the framework
We’ve been recruiting for schools and trusts in England for over a decade, and we’ve been a supplier on the national framework throughout. Three things shape how we work:
Compliant by default
REC-audited continuously since the company’s inception. Worker vetting aligned to KCSiE. Modern Slavery Act compliance and supply-chain due diligence. The framework’s safeguarding standards are met as a matter of course, not as an exception.
Transparent by design
We work within the framework’s transparency model, every booking shows worker pay, statutory employment costs and the supplier fee broken out separately, in line with the framework’s standard. Open-book reporting is available to multi-academy trusts. The temp-to-perm transfer is at no additional fee after 12 weeks.
Built for the way schools actually work
EngageNow, our booking and workforce management platform, handles bookings, timesheets, invoicing and reporting in one place. National coverage from regional offices in Watford, Brighton, Leeds, London and Manchester. Specialist support for SEND, exam invigilation, non-classroom roles, and international hiring.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about RM6376 and using the Government Commercial Agency framework for education staffing.
The framework explained
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Crown Commercial Service (CCS) became the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) on 1 April 2026. Same function, new name. The new framework agreement, RM6376, replaced the previous CCS framework on 30 April 2026.
If you’re a school in England, yes. DfE Sign-In is the route into the GCA agency selection tool. If you don’t have one, you can request access through the GCA website. Schools in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, and other public sector organisations, can email the GCA team for access.
If you’re an academy — single-academy trust or part of a multi-academy trust — yes. If you’re a maintained school under a local authority, no. LA-maintained schools can use the framework voluntarily but aren’t required to.
Roles & costs
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Teachers, leaders, support staff, administrative, finance, IT, maintenance, catering and cleaning roles — the framework covers far more than just supply teachers. If a role is part of the workforce of a publicly funded educational establishment, the framework can almost certainly be used to fill it.
There’s no cost to use the framework itself. Suppliers’ fees are capped at £45 per day for teachers and £38 per day for education support staff. These are maximums — the rate you actually pay may be lower depending on volume and placement type.
Hiring & suppliers
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Yes, and at no additional fee — provided they’ve completed at least 12 weeks of work with you on framework terms, and you give 4 weeks’ notice.
The supplier list is published on the GCA website. You can also ask any supplier directly — named suppliers are required to confirm their framework status when asked.
About this framework
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 30 April 2026 to 29 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. GCA replaced Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on 1 April 2026.
Next steps...
If you'd rather talk it through, our team is happy to walk you through the framework on a 15-minute call. We'll cover the routes, the fees, and any questions specific to your school or trust. No obligation either way.
