Flexible Resource Pool – Staff Bank rates reduced

The framework is designed to help the NHS and other public sector organisations flexibly manage their workforce through staff bank services. Staff bank rates have been reduced following negotiation with suppliers.

Staff bank rates reduced

The NHS Workforce Alliance partnership has worked with suppliers to agree further framework efficiencies for the benefit of customers and suppliers. 

To support the increased use of staff banks in the NHS, the alliance has reduced the supplier management charge on this framework from 4.5% to 1% of supplier fees.

Suppliers have passed this reduction straight on to customers by reducing their maximum framework rates. All suppliers have reduced their rates and, in some instances, this has led to rate reductions of as much as 42% (based on typical bank usage).

NHS England and NHS Improvement approved

As well as highly competitive rates, the framework is the first (and currently only) staff bank agreement approved by NHS England and NHS Improvement. 

This is thanks to a commitment to ‘bank first’, supporting effective bank delivery for the NHS and providing robust framework standards and management. This includes requirements for framework suppliers to conduct employment checks in full compliance with the NHS Employers Check Standards. 

NHS Workforce Alliance support

With the support of the alliance team, customers with existing contracts are already seeing their staff bank rates reduced, in line with the framework reductions.

If you would like help from our team of experienced framework managers to ensure you get best value on your staff bank services, please get in touch. As well as advice on how to direct award and the further competition process, we offer an assisted procurement service.

The framework has recently been extended until 2 July 2023, so there is plenty of time to get a contract in place and benefit. 

To find out how the alliance can help you with staff bank services please email your local alliance partner:

Crown Commercial Service and IBM launch new MoU for cloud services

The MoU aims to remove barriers to the adoption of cloud based services within the UK public sector and drive innovation that will improve essential public services for UK citizens. It is valid for 3 years (from 22 May 2020) and allows eligible public sector organisations to obtain preferential commercial terms to IBM’s published list prices for cloud services. These discounts are available for any new cloud contracts and for the term of those contracts. 

Establishing new routes to market and supporting the digital ambitions of organisations across the entire public sector has been a strategic deliverable for CCS and this MoU marks a great milestone in delivering value and operational choice.

For further information please contact Christian Martin, IBM Public Cloud at Chris@uk.ibm.com. To speak to a member of our team, please complete this form.

Virtual interviews: top tips for success

While some office-based staff are returning to the workplace, many public sector organisations are continuing to work remotely, and social distancing measures mean this could remain the case for some time. In fact, for a lot of organisations, remote working could become the ‘new normal’ for some or all of their employees. This means that organisations will have to adapt not just to a new way of working, but also to recruiting and onboarding new employees remotely – and that includes virtual interviews. 

Some of the tips shared in this blog might seem pretty obvious, but it is all too often that the simplest of things that can trip you up. Make sure you are well prepared and a technical hitch won’t mean you lose out on a great candidate. Whether interviews are face-to-face or online, planning is the key to success.

Technology

  • what technology are you planning to use? 
    • make sure it is a platform that is easily and freely accessible to your candidates, for example, Skype, Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams
    • if you chose a platform that you don’t normally use in your day-to-day work make sure you (and all your interview panel members) can access it from your work computer – and make sure you know how to use it
  • consider a quick test call with candidates and the interview panel ahead of the actual interview to make sure there are no technical glitches:
    • this will help ensure that you are well prepared and can give a great first impression of your organisation
    • importantly, it will also help ensure that candidates feel confident and focus on giving their best at the interview – not worrying about the technology
  • have a backup plan, such as a conference call number, in case the technology fails you on the day – unfortunately, we all know that this can happen

Sifting candidates

  • a first stage of phone interviews can be a good way to help you create a shortlist if you have lots of candidates to consider – and then you can invite your shortlist to a more in-depth interview

Interview panel

  • have the same panel members for all your interviews if you can – you will build a better rapport between the panel and the interviews will flow better
  • have a pre-interview session with panel members to go over your planned interview format, questions and scoring:
    • it’s a good idea to agree in advance who will ask what questions and the roles each panel member will have

Before the virtual interview

  • decide if you want to record the interviews to help you review candidates: 
    • if you do, check your chosen technology platform can do that and that you know how to do it
    • tell your candidates in advance that you plan to record the interview so they don’t feel ambushed and self-conscious – and give them the opportunity to opt out 
  • agree in advance if you expect everyone to have their cameras on – it will certainly help you build a rapport and read their body language, so should be encouraged

We’re here to help

I hope you find these tips useful. For more advice and guidance on recruitment email the team or fill in our short online form and one of our commercial experts will get back to you. 

You can also explore our full range of workforce frameworks and the latest news on our new dedicated workforce web page.

Annual Report and Accounts 2019/20 published

The report highlights strong growth in spend through CCS’s agreements, with significant commercial benefits delivered for customers across the public sector, and improvements in customer satisfaction scores.

By making more commercial agreements available online, helping the public sector transform the way it works, and offering quality goods and services CCS customers have achieved commercial benefits worth more than £1 billion compared to current market comparators.

CCS helps schools, universities, hospitals, housing associations, charities and central government departments save time and money on buying everyday goods and services.

£18.1 billion of public sector spend was channelled through CCS agreements in 2019/20 – an increase of £2.4 billion on the previous year.

The accounts also show that £275 million more has been spent directly with SMEs through our deals year on year.

Customer satisfaction scores have also continued to rise, while we assisted customers with procurements worth a total annual contract value of £875 million

Simon Tse, CEO of CCS said:

“It has been another excellent year for us, ensuring that we get value for money across the entire public sector. We had very ambitious targets for the year, and I am delighted that we have generated commercial benefits for the public sector of over £1 billion. We could not have delivered as much as we have without the hard work, commitment and excellence of our people, and I am so proud of everything they have achieved.”

Tony van Kralingen, Chair of the CCS Board said:

“The year has demonstrated CCS’s importance in the role of ensuring the public sector purchase common goods and services at best value. This has been particularly evident in the last few weeks of the financial year. CCS has played a key part in the government’s response to the challenges of the coronavirus crisis. While the extent of the impact of the crisis will not be known for months, perhaps years, I am proud of the organisation’s determination to step up to the plate and be counted.”

Performance highlights for 2019/20 include:

  • £18.1 billion of public sector spend channelled through CCS commercial agreements
  • More than £1 billion of commercial benefits delivered
  • We assisted customers with procurements worth a total annual contract value of £875 million
  • Our employee engagement index, as measured by the Civil Service People Survey, has increased to 68% in 2019 – maintaining top quartile performance
  • Net Promoter Scores for customer satisfaction over the year reached +51 for Customer Service and +57 for Assisted Procurement

The Annual Report and Accounts are available to read now on GOV.UK.

Changes to our frameworks during June

We are introducing a new monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

Frameworks awarded in June

Frameworks extended in June

Please note: the expiry dates on the framework pages will be updated shortly

Frameworks that expired in June

Frameworks due to expire in next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these frameworks please get in touch. 

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? Simply complete this short form.

How the Supply Teachers deal can support your return to school

We’re working closely with colleagues at the Department for Education (DfE) so that we can effectively help you with your supply and temporary staffing needs, in readiness for a return to school in September. Find out how the Supply Teachers deal can help your school or academy.

Supply teachers deal

As you will no doubt already be considering your staffing plans for the next academic year, it’s a great time to talk to us about how we can help you save money – particularly given the current situation with COVID-19.

Our Supply Teachers and Temporary Staff framework is supported by DfE and recommended in current DfE guidance. It will help you efficiently get best value when recruiting supply teachers, classroom assistants, tutors and other temporary staff.

Talk to one of our commercial experts

Book a 1:1 session this summer with one of our commercial experts. We will help you ensure you are fully staffed and ready to return to school in September. 

Simply email the team at supplyteachers@crowncommercial.gov.uk providing the following information:

  • school name
  • your name
  • email address
  • telephone number
  • details of any preferred dates and times for the session

We will get back to you within one working day to arrange a convenient time for the 1:1 session and discuss the best virtual platform to host the meeting on.

Tackling single use plastics in the workplace this Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July, a global movement to tackle plastic pollution, serves as a reminder of the harmful role plastics play in our increasingly fragile natural environment.  The government has stated it is committed to taking appropriate action addressing CSUP waste through a range of initiatives. The 25-year Environment Plan aims to eliminate avoidable plastics by the year 2042. To achieve this, public sector staff and the supply chain need to work ever more closely together. 

CCS is supporting this ambition. We have worked with suppliers – establishing steps which can be taken to remove CSUPs from new and existing contracts at neutral cost, either through direct savings or as a result of savings elsewhere in the supply chain or waste management process.

Our Facilities Management suppliers have identified key items for phased replacement, and they fall into three broad categories:

Cleaning – e.g. wipes, brushes, scourers, soap, consumables, dishwasher tablets, bags

Catering – e.g. condiment containers, sachets, tea bags, shrink-wrap, milk bottles, bags

Tableware and Takeaway​ – e.g. cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws, takeaway boxes

In order to remove such items from the workplace, suppliers have also identified practical alternatives including:

  • bulk concentrates of cleaning substances which are diluted and decanted into reusable pump-spray bottles
  • foamer soaps in dispensers which go up to 10 times further than liquid soaps
  • reusable and launderable cloths to replace disposable wipes
  • glass milk bottles in smaller catering settings, or large milk bladders in bigger operations
  •  metal, bioplastic, wood and cardboard tableware in canteens
  • a ‘latte levy’ to incentivise reusable cups in canteens

Our agreement is designed to let all public sector bodies take advantage of these solutions and help eliminate CSUPs from public sector purchasing. CCS aims to help public sector bodies navigate the facilities procurement landscape by supporting them to make cost-effective, compliant procurement decisions that benefit their local communities.

For more information and guidance on how your organisation can change the way it sources single use items, download our free whitepaper: The elimination of consumer single use plastics today.

Expert support for your telecoms procurements

With a broad range of services available and many technical complexities, we understand that for buyers with a limited technical background, telecoms can be one of the most complex things to procure.

Often, contracts cover a broad range of services with a high level of technical complexities, and it can be challenging to gain an understanding of the existing estate.

To help overcome this hurdle, experts in our Network Services team can provide assistance with your technology and telecoms procurements to help evaluate how your organisation could save on telecoms. In short, a mini consulting piece, free of charge, to help you complete your procurement through our Network Services agreements. 

This expert support covers:

  • developing an understanding of your current telecoms estate 
  • helping develop a statement of requirements
  • advising on the procurement process

Agreements in our Network Services category include:

  • Network Services 2 
  • Health and Social Care Network (HSCN) Access Services
  • Technology Expense Management
  • Gigabit Capable Connectivity
  • Crown Hosting
  • PSN Core Services

Find out more about our offering on our website.

If you need additional technical support with an upcoming or ongoing networking or telecoms procurement, please complete our form stating ‘Network Services procurement support offer’ along with any further details about your requirements in the comments box and a member of our team will be in touch.

CCS and ESPO partnership puts customers at the forefront through innovative tech offering

Since 2012, we’ve been working alongside ESPO to help and support customers, predominantly within the local government and education sectors.

Our latest partnership will allow us to offer maximum value to customers who want to buy hardware and software like laptops, desktops, screens and software licenses. 

This is offered as part of our Technology Products & Associated Services (TePAS) framework and through our Education Technology framework, which is expected to appeal to ESPO’s school customers. 

With remote working more important than ever, both frameworks are key routes to market for the technologies and services needed to ensure staff can operate effectively, in and out of the workplace.

Education Technology and TePAS customers can also expect to benefit from access to expertise, guidance and support from our expert teams, alongside in-depth sector knowledge and a wide selection of products and services.

By working together, we believe that we can help more public sector customers than ever before to get even better value through a wider range of innovative products and services.

Our Chief Executive, Simon Tse, said:

CCS and ESPO share an understanding of just how important the customer experience is at every stage of their procurement journey.  These agreements have been designed in collaboration with those who use them, and we’re really proud to be offering them to the market in collaboration with ESPO – an organisation we have a long and successful history of working closely with.

Maurice Campbell, Assistant Director – Commercial and Procurement at ESPO, added:

This latest collaboration comes at a crucial time as many people continue to navigate new ways of working remotely. These solutions ensure the best possible service and outcome for our customers and the wider public sector, allowing quick, easy and compliant access to a wide range of technology hardware and software. We’re pleased to be continuing our work with CCS in our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of our customers.

Visit our website to find out more about our TePAS and Education Technology frameworks or complete our online form to speak to one of the team.

Charter travel services for the university sector in response to COVID-19

In response to the travel restrictions coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought, there is increasing interest from the university sector in chartering air and other travel solutions to help safely bring international students into the country.

At CCS, we can facilitate access to experienced suppliers who can navigate the unique needs and complexities of the travel sector at this challenging time. 

Our suppliers can offer end-to-end travel solutions – from chartering international flights to sourcing travel once in the United Kingdom – that can be accessed through 2 of our frameworks, both of which offer direct award for quick access: 

  • RM6016 – Public Sector Travel and Venue Solutions – Lot 4
  • RM6164 – Public Sector Global Travel and Venue Solutions – Lot B  

During the COVID-19 response, many of these suppliers supported the government with their charter travel needs, demonstrating their capability in, at pace, designing robust and flexible travel solutions.

When putting together a solution to suit your requirements, our suppliers can:  

  • Provide dedicated travel specialists to manage groups
  • Negotiate directly with carriers to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery
  • Coordinate your charter aircraft schedule – regardless of passengers numbers or point of origin and destination
  • Liaise with regulatory authorities to secure all landing permits and approvals 
  • Provide an online platform to support students’ self-service registration, including payment services and health screening
  • Manage flight manifests, ensuring accurate passenger information is provided to the required authorities 
  • Offer 24/7 booking support to students 
  • Prepare operational and financial reporting to support your business needs
  • Facilitate access to other travel services such as accommodation and visa support.

Once students arrive in the United Kingdom, you may be looking to book vehicle with driver services, such as taxis and coaches, to support their safe transportation to campus. 

Both RM6016 and RM6164 offer this service as part of their end-to-end solution. However, if you would like to contract directly with suppliers for this element of your requirements, our Public Sector Passenger Transport Services – Taxi & Coaches (RM6121) framework offers a Dynamic Purchasing System. 

Learn More

If you want to learn more about how we can help you safely welcome international students into the United Kingdom you can get in touch with our category experts via email or this online form.

You can also find out more about each of our frameworks by following the links below:

  • RM6016 – Public Sector Travel and Venue Solutions 
  • RM6164 – Public Sector Global Travel and Venue Solutions
  • RM6121 – Public Sector Passenger Transport Services – Taxi & Coaches