The GCA framework (RM6376) is the Government Commercial Agency's Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework. It provides schools, academies, and trusts with access to pre-approved recruitment suppliers who meet strict standards on safeguarding, compliance, pricing, and quality, ensuring transparent and cost-effective staffing solutions across the education sector. Using this framework eliminates the need for tenders as suppliers have already been thoroughly vetted and centrally approved.

From the start of the 26/27 academic year, academy trusts must procure supply staff through the GCA framework unless they can demonstrate that an alternative route is fully compliant and offers equal or better value for money. Local authority schools are strongly encouraged, though not required, to use the framework, while independent fee-paying schools are generally not eligible.

Working with a GCA framework approved supplier isn’t just for compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook. It also gives schools access to capped supplier fees, transparent pricing, and thoroughly vetted candidates, alongside contractual protections such as the 12-week free temp-to-perm provision, helping reduce recruitment costs and administrative risk.

Under the GCA framework, schools can convert a temporary or supply worker into a permanent employee after 12 weeks without paying a transfer fee. This removes a cost that has traditionally been charged by many recruitment agencies, giving schools greater flexibility to build permanent teams from trusted temporary staff while keeping staffing budgets predictable. Though agencies like SAAF will have offered this as standard before, the new framework ensures all approved agencies also offer it.

Schools select an approved supplier from the framework directly through the Public Procurement Gateway (PPG) and complete a Call-Off Order Form, which acts as the contract under the framework's standardised terms. This ensures transparent pricing and protects the school throughout the recruitment process, with a clear procedure in place for resolving any issues that arise during a placement.

A Call-Off Order Form is a short, standardised contract completed when a school engages a supplier through the GCA framework. Rather than negotiating individual terms of business with each agency, schools use this pre-agreed order form, which locks in framework-compliant pricing, safeguarding standards, and contractual terms, reducing procurement time and legal risk.

Onboarding a GCA framework supplier is typically much faster than a standard agency tender, as the formal approval process has already been completed centrally. Schools generally only need to complete a Call-Off Order Form through the Public Procurement Gateway, meaning most trusts can begin working with a new supplier within days rather than the weeks or months a local tender process would usually take.

The GCA framework is open to all state-funded schools and academy trusts, as well as public sector colleges, nurseries, and pre-schools. Local authorities can also access the framework on behalf of maintained schools. Independent fee-paying schools are generally not eligible, as the framework is designed specifically for publicly funded education institutions.

The GCA framework was introduced partly to address the education sector's estimated £1.4 billion annual spend on agency staff, much of which was lost to excessive mark-ups. By capping supplier fees and removing temp-to-perm transfer charges after 12 weeks, schools can achieve significant, measurable savings, with some trusts reporting expected savings of over £150,000 across an 18-month period through reduced agency fees alone.

The GCA framework sets maximum rate caps that recruitment suppliers can charge schools, preventing excessive agency mark-ups. These caps represent ceiling rates only; approved agencies like SAAF Education already offer rates below the maximum and will continue to do so. Schools can check specific submitted rates via the GCA's Public Procurement Gateway, ensuring full pricing transparency before engaging a supplier.

To become an approved GCA framework supplier, recruitment agencies must meet strict DfE safeguarding standards as part of the formal approval process, including:

• Rigorous candidate vetting,
• DBS checks,
• And compliance with statutory safeguarding guidance.

Though this is already the minimum standard for agencies like SAAF Education, this process gives schools confidence that every placement meets the same high standard, regardless of which framework supplier they choose. Agencies can still maintain other accreditations that offer a much higher level of safeguarding, such as APSCo Compliance+.

Yes. Because GCA framework suppliers have already been vetted against Department for Education compliance and safeguarding standards, schools reduce their exposure to procurement risk. Using an approved supplier provides a clear, auditable trail showing that staffing decisions align with statutory guidance and the updated Academy Trust Handbook, supporting schools during inspections and financial audits.

As a GCA framework supplier, SAAF supports schools beyond placement by offering access to ongoing professional development resources, including on-demand training content designed to support school staff. This helps schools invest in staff development alongside compliant recruitment, adding long-term value to every placement.

We can supply:

• Qualified Teachers
• Supply Teachers
• Teaching Assistants
• SEN Specialists
• Cover Supervisors
• School Administrators
• Site and Facilities Staff
• Catering and Support Staff
• Senior Leadership and Interim Staff