By Matt Lydon, Partner SAAF Supply & Recruitment
To recap (in brief):
Crown Commercial Service is now the Government Commercial Agency (GCA), and its Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework (RM6376) went live at the end of April 2026. Since 1 October 2026, when the Academy Trust Handbook took effect, single and multi-academy trusts have been required to buy agency supply staff through it, unless they can show an alternative route that complies with the Procurement Act 2023 and doesn't cost more than framework rates. Local authority schools can use it too.
It covers temporary, fixed-term and permanent roles, teaching and non-teaching. And the much-talked-about fee cap? That limits what suppliers charge schools. It doesn't change what supply staff are paid.
Simple right? But what do you need to do? Here are five actions, that will make the difference.
The numbers! How much does your trust spend on agency staff, with which agencies, and across which schools?
If the honest answer is "let me ask each school office", congratulations: you've found your first job. Supply spend has a habit of hiding in individual school budgets, and you can't compare what you can't see.
The suppliers! Is each agency you use on the GCA Framework (RM6376)? If not, are you using an alternative route and can you evidence this as compliant, at rates no higher than the framework?
"We've always used them" is a lovely sentiment, but it isn't evidence.
How many agencies? If your school use several agencies (and let's face it most do), make sure there's an agreement in place with each one, and that someone owns the list. Who's signed what, for which school, on what terms, and when it's up for renewal.
A single, up-to-date record beats a trail of emails every time.
Sssh the quiet part? Write down which route you’ve chosen and why, and keep the rate comparisons that back it up. If a trustee or auditor asks "why this agency?" in six months' time, the answer should be in a folder, not in someone's head.
It’s not the most exciting task, but it’s far less painful to do now than to reconstruct later.
Your rules! Whoever books cover in your schools, whether that's a headteacher, an office manager or a business manager, needs to know the new rules before they pick up the phone to their usual agency.
Then revisit your budget. A cap on supplier fees doesn't automatically mean a smaller bill, because usage and pay rates still drive the total. Forecast on your real numbers rather than assuming a saving is coming.
We're a Lot 1 approved supplier on the framework, supporting schools and trusts with transparent, compliant supply and recruitment.
We also support schools and trusts with finance, payroll and HR too. So, if you'd like a second pair of eyes on your supply spend, your route or your paperwork, we're happy to take it off your plate.