Junction 16 and procurement experience
Junction 16 have successfully managed a DPS since 2018. Prior to this, tendering systems were in place. In February 2025, our second DPS for Alternative Provision launched and has attracted a number of new providers as well as many of the ones we have previously worked with in the past. In November 2025, Respect Collaboration Trust was formed of which Junction 16 is a part of. Since academisation and under the new Procurement Act 2023, Respect Collaboration Trust has become a contracting authority in their own right. In response to these changes, Junction 16 is developing a new procurement system, utilising individual tenders to procure alternative provision.
Our standards of criteria to be accepted through tendering will not change. Each individual tender will have a defined specification, very similar to the one for TD2205 (see below). All specifications are written and reviewed to align with the latest statutory and non statutory guidance that is applicable to AP settings and offers. We stand by the fact that this ensures all children get the best offer of AP, as well as schools and referrers having reassurance of the quality and safety of their placements.
Junction 16 continue to offer a service to all schools*, to quality assure any of the provision that is commissioned through us. Compliance is a key element of the work Junction 16 carries out. Click the link below to see our comprehensive specification that all providers offered current contracts of work, must adhere to – this remains in place and active until the end of July 2026.
*All schools have a responsibility to continually monitor and check on their students who attend alternative provision. They must ensure that each child can still progress and achieve regardless of whether they attend mainstream education or not. If the provision has not been commissioned through the DPS and Junction 16 are not providing any ongoing quality assurance, then the school must ensure they have sufficient checks in place to meet the most recent government guidelines for AP.
