GCA RM6376 Explained: Your Questions Answered

The education recruitment landscape shifted significantly when the GCA RM6376 framework went live in April 2026. Since then, school leaders across the country have been getting in touch with broadly the same set of questions - and understandably so. A new procurement framework, a looming September deadline, and updated supplier rules all landing at once is a lot to absorb.

This page pulls together everything you need to know in plain English, so you can get on with what matters most: running your school.

Understanding the GCA and RM6376
 

What is the GCA?

The Government Commercial Agency - GCA for short - is the UK government body responsible for public sector procurement. It took over from the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) on 1 April 2026. The name is new; the purpose is the same: to help publicly funded organisations spend wisely and compliantly when buying goods and services.

What is RM6376?

RM6376 is the reference number for the current Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework. It launched on 30 April 2026 and runs through to 29 April 2029. Think of it as the approved rulebook for schools hiring agency staff - setting out terms, fee structures, and supplier standards that everyone must work within.

What happened to the old CCS agreement?

The previous framework has been retired and replaced entirely by RM6376. Any existing contracts signed under the old arrangement will continue to run until their natural end date, so there's no need to unpick active bookings. All new hiring arrangements, however, should be placed under RM6376 from this point onwards.

Do I need a DfE sign-in to access the framework?

Schools in England will need a DfE sign-in to use the GCA's online supplier selection tool. If you don't have one yet, access can be requested through the GCA website directly. Schools in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland - as well as other public sector bodies - can simply contact the GCA team by email to get set up.

The September 2026 Mandate

What is changing in September 2026?

From September 2026, the Academy Trusts Handbook formally requires single and multi-academy trusts to use a recognised framework when procuring supply staff. RM6376 is the live framework built for this purpose - use it and you're covered.

Does this apply to my school?

It depends on your school's legal status. Academies - whether standalone or part of a MAT - fall within scope of the mandate. Maintained schools operating under a local authority are not required to comply, though they're welcome to use the framework and many find it useful for cost control and assurance.

What are the consequences of non-compliance for trusts?

Trustees carry personal accountability for compliance with the Academy Trusts Handbook. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has the authority to intervene where breaches are identified. In practice, most trusts working with established, recognised agencies will already be on the right side of the rules. The key task is reviewing any less obvious arrangements - for example, an individual school in the trust that may still be working with an off-framework provider.

Does the mandate cover all types of agency staff?

Yes, it's broader than many people initially assume. The requirement extends beyond teachers to cover teaching assistants, admin staff, and operational support workers. Any agency-supplied staff should be mapped against the framework as part of your compliance planning.

How to Use the Framework

How do I find approved suppliers?

Log into the GCA agency selection tool with your DfE credentials, enter your postcode and the type of role you need, and set your search radius. The tool will return a list of approved suppliers in your area, including their applicable fee, so you can compare options side by side before making a decision.

Do I have to stick with one supplier?

Not at all. Schools can sign agreements with as many framework suppliers as they choose - there's no cap. In practice, most settle into a working relationship with a small number of regular partners, supplemented by others for specialist or harder-to-fill roles.

What's the difference between Lot 1 and Lot 2?

Lot 1 is for individual placements or small groups of workers - this covers the vast majority of schools' day-to-day recruitment needs. Lot 2 is a managed service model, where a single supplier coordinates all your supply staffing through their own network. It's designed primarily for larger trusts with high-volume, complex staffing requirements.

When should I run a competition, and when can I just appoint directly?

Direct appointment - signing a short order form with a supplier you've selected from the tool - is the straightforward route for most Lot 1 bookings. It's fast and fully compliant. Running a mini-competition, where you invite multiple suppliers to put forward proposals, is more appropriate for managed service (Lot 2) contracts or larger-scale Lot 1 arrangements where the added rigour is warranted.

Fees and Pricing

Are there caps on what suppliers can charge?

Yes. The framework sets maximum fee caps for all suppliers. These limits apply only to the agency's margin - they are separate from the worker's pay, employer National Insurance, pension, and holiday pay, which are itemised distinctly on any invoice.

Will I always be charged the maximum fee?

No - the cap is a ceiling, not a standard rate. Many suppliers charge below the maximum, particularly for longer placements or where there's an established relationship. It's always worth asking for a specific quote for your situation rather than assuming the cap is what you'll pay.

What does the agency fee actually cover?

The fee reflects the agency's work: finding suitable candidates, carrying out thorough compliance checks, managing payroll, handling safeguarding obligations under KCSiE, and providing account support. Worker pay, employer on-costs, and pension contributions are all listed separately and passed through transparently.

Can agencies charge for things outside the framework?

Suppliers may invoice for specialist services that fall outside the framework's scope. For anything placed as a framework booking, however, fees must sit at or below the agreed cap. If something doesn't look right on an invoice, it's worth querying directly with the supplier.

Workers, Roles, and Compliance

What kinds of roles can I recruit through RM6376?

The framework covers an extensive range of positions across publicly funded educational settings - not just classroom teachers. You can source school leaders, teaching assistants, SEND specialists, administrators, finance staff, IT support, caretakers, and catering and cleaning personnel.

How do I know agency workers have been properly vetted?

All suppliers on the framework are contractually obligated to vet candidates in line with the DfE's Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidance. This is a binding requirement, not a best-practice recommendation. You can request sight of compliance documentation from your supplier at any time.

Can I put forward a candidate I've already found myself?

Yes - this is called the nominated worker route. If you've identified someone through your own networks, you can introduce them to a framework supplier who will carry out the necessary compliance checks and handle the payroll and employment arrangements. You then book them through the supplier as normal. Fees for nominated workers are usually considerably lower than for agency-sourced placements.

Can a supply worker move into a permanent role at my school?

They can, and at no additional charge. The worker needs to have completed a minimum of 12 weeks on framework terms with your school, and you'll need to give four weeks' notice. This route is a genuine benefit of the framework for schools looking to grow their permanent team from people they already know and trust.

For Schools Moving from the Old CCS Framework

Are existing contracts still valid?

Yes. Anything signed under the previous CCS framework remains in place until it reaches its end date. You don't need to renegotiate those arrangements — simply let them run their course while ensuring any new bookings go through RM6376.

Has the supplier list changed significantly?

The new framework expanded the approved supplier pool, raising the inclusion threshold from 150 to 250 named providers. Most reputable agencies that appeared on the old framework will be present on the new one. The full list is available on the GCA website and is worth reviewing if you're planning to bring in any new suppliers.

Will my day-to-day experience with my current agency change?

For the most part, no. The transition is primarily a change to the underlying legal and commercial structure. Your contacts, booking processes, and working relationships with established agencies should continue exactly as before.

What to Do Next

Getting to grips with RM6376 now - rather than rushing to catch up in September - puts your school in a strong position. You'll have time to review your current supplier relationships, sign any necessary order forms, and make sure your trust is fully covered before the mandate kicks in. At NextGen Teachers, we are an approved supplier on the GCA RM6376 framework and work with schools right across the country to place great educators quickly and compliantly. If you have questions specific to your school's situation, we'd be happy to talk it through - just get in touch with our team.