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NHS procurement frameworks provide pre-approved routes for NHS and public sector organisations to access staffing agencies without individual procurement exercises. This guide explains how the main NHS staffing frameworks work and who can benefit from them.
NHS staffing frameworks are pre-agreed contracts between public sector bodies and groups of approved staffing suppliers. They provide NHS trusts, local authorities and other public sector organisations with a compliant route to accessing staffing services without needing to run a full procurement exercise each time. Using a framework route is typically the most straightforward compliant procurement approach for public sector care commissioners and avoids the risk of non-compliant procurement that could attract scrutiny or challenge.
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An NHS staffing framework is a pre-tendered agreement between a contracting authority (such as NHS England, NHS Shared Business Services or Crown Commercial Service) and a group of approved staffing agencies. The framework has been procured in accordance with public procurement regulations, meaning that NHS organisations and other public sector bodies can use framework agencies without running their own procurement exercise. Approved agencies have been assessed against quality, compliance and commercial criteria as part of the framework procurement.
The primary frameworks used for NHS staffing include the NHS Professionals (NHSP) framework, which is the NHS’s own agency staffing service; frameworks managed by NHS Shared Business Services; and frameworks managed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS). Different frameworks cover different staff categories: some cover nursing and clinical staff, others cover social care and support roles. Trusts and other public sector bodies should identify which framework is most relevant to their specific staffing requirement.
NHS frameworks are primarily available to NHS trusts and foundation trusts, but many frameworks also extend eligibility to local authorities, clinical commissioning groups (and their successors), independent healthcare providers and other bodies that receive NHS or public funding for care services. Eligibility to access a specific framework depends on the terms of that framework and the contracting authority’s definitions of eligible bodies. Organisations should confirm their eligibility before accessing a framework.
Using a framework route provides several benefits for public sector organisations. It provides assurance that suppliers have been assessed against quality and compliance criteria. It satisfies public procurement compliance requirements and reduces the risk of procurement challenge. It typically provides access to pre-negotiated commercial terms that may be more favourable than spot market rates. And it reduces the procurement and management overhead of the commissioning process.
Framework agreements are not unlimited. They typically cover a specified range of staff categories and must be used within the terms of the framework agreement. The range of agencies available on any given framework depends on which suppliers were successful in the original tender. Frameworks have a fixed term and must be retendered periodically. Some framework arrangements may not provide the fastest response times compared to direct agency relationships, particularly for very urgent or specialist requirements.
Independent care providers, such as private care homes and social care organisations, are not generally required to use NHS procurement frameworks. However, some choose to access framework agencies because of the compliance assurance they provide or because of the commercial terms available. Social care commissioners in local authorities may require independent providers to use approved agency lists or framework agreements as a condition of their commissioning contracts. Independent providers should check any commissioning requirements regarding agency use with their local authority or NHS commissioner.
For related information see our articles on CQC Standards for Care Agencies and Compliance in Health and Social Care.
An NHS staffing framework is a pre-tendered agreement between a public sector contracting authority and a group of approved staffing agencies. It provides a compliant procurement route for NHS and public sector organisations to access staffing services without running individual procurement exercises. Agencies on the framework have been assessed against quality and compliance criteria.
Eligibility for NHS frameworks depends on the terms of the specific framework. Some frameworks extend to independent care providers, local authorities and other public sector-funded bodies. Independent care providers should check the eligibility criteria for any framework they wish to access with the framework manager. Some commissioning contracts may also specify which agencies providers are permitted to use.
The main NHS staffing frameworks include those managed by NHS Professionals, NHS Shared Business Services and the Crown Commercial Service. The specific frameworks available, their scope and their eligibility criteria change over time: organisations should consult the relevant contracting authority or check the NHS or CCS website for current framework information.
Visit our Health and Social Care Agency Resource Hub for more guides on staffing, compliance, CQC standards, agency costs and how to choose the right care agency for your organisation.
The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, regulatory or professional advice. Regulations, rates and compliance requirements change: always verify current requirements with the relevant regulatory body. SENDhelp Education Limited accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Any links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of their content.
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