Guide to the 2026 Supply Teachers Framework

Managing a school budget while ensuring high-quality classroom cover is a constant balancing act. For school leaders, business managers, and multi-academy trust (MAT) executives, unexpected staffing needs can quickly derail financial forecasts.

At the same time, supply teachers and education support staff deserve fair pay, consistent work and transparent employment conditions. 

On April 1, 2026, the Crown Commercial Service officially became the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) launching the brand-new RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework. 

As a leading partner in government-approved education recruitment, Vetro Recruitment has put together this quick, question-and-answer guide to help you master the new framework effortlessly. 

What does the new GCA framework for supply teachers mean for England and Wales?

The GCA framework supply teachers (officially known as agreement RM6376) is the UK government’s regulated procurement path for sourcing temporary, fixed-term, and permanent education staff. 

Launched in spring 2026 to replace the old STaTS, it is a commercial agreement designed to standardise quality, guarantee transparent pricing, and cap agency margins across the education sector. 

The framework covers: 

• Classroom Teachers: Daily, short-term, and long-term cover for primary and secondary schools. 

• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Specialists: Dedicated educators and Support Workers for SEND environments. 

• Educational Support Staff: Teaching Assistants (TAs), Cover Supervisors, and learning mentors. 

• Headteachers and Senior Leaders: Interim or permanent leadership solutions.

• Operational & Non-Teaching Staff: Crucial back-office and site operational roles such as caretakers, administrative assistants, and more. 

Do schools have to use the GCA framework for education recruitment?

The answer to this depends entirely on your school’s geographical location and legal governance structure.

In England: The Mandatory Academy Trust Rule

Starting in September 2026, the use of the GCA RM6376 framework will become strictly mandatory for all single and multi-academy trusts.

If a trust chooses not to use the GCA framework, it must satisfy two incredibly strict tests:

1. Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) Compliance: The alternative arrangement must be fully compliant with PA23. Crucially, spend will be assessed and aggregated at the trust level rather than individual school level. If the spend exceeds PA23 financial thresholds, the Trust must prove it conducted a fully compliant, independent tender process. 

2. Rate Parity: The alternative commercial rates secured by the Trust must not exceed the capped rates available through the GCA framework.

In Wales and Maintained Schools

For local-authority maintained schools across England, as well as schools throughout Wales, the framework remains voluntary but highly recommended. 

The Welsh Government maintains its own distinct procurement frameworks for supply teachers. Welsh schools are generally encouraged to use agencies appointed to those local frameworks to ensure regional alignment. 

The Risk of Bypassing the Framework: For any educational institution, choosing to bypass these central agreements means your school misses out on pre-negotiated cost controls, robust legal protections, and complete margin transparency.

How does the GCA framework cap agency fees for supply staff?

One of the biggest financial pain points for schools historically has been hidden agency margins, where unexpected mark-ups inflate daily supply costs without benefiting the teacher. The RM6376 framework directly fixes this by introducing maximum daily supplier fee caps.

It’s important to note that the GCA framework caps the agency’s mark-up, NOT the take-home pay of the supply staff. Supply Teachers and TAs still receive highly competitive market rates, ensuring schools can attract top-tier talent. Instead, agencies are restricted from charging inflated, non-transparent margins. 

Framework-approved suppliers like Vetro Recruitment frequently offer even lower, preferential rates based on your school’s volume and long-term needs.

The ‘Nominated Worker’ Advantage

The RM6376 framework also includes provisions for a Nominated Worker route. If a school already knows a specific Supply Teacher or Teaching Assistant they want to hire, they can send that individual to register with an approved framework supplier like Vetro. The agency handles the necessary safeguarding, vetting, and payroll administration at a significantly reduced supplier fee, maximising cost-efficiency for the school. 

Can schools still hire supply teachers permanently for free under RM6376?

Yes. One of the best financial protections of the GCA framework is the free temp-to-perm transfer rule. 

In the open recruitment market, transitioning a temporary worker onto a permanent school contract often triggers expensive, unexpected finder’s fees that can devastate a department budget. Under the RM6376 framework, this barrier is completely eliminated:

• The 12-Week Rule: If your school discovers a brilliant Supply Teacher, Teaching Assistant, or specialist through the framework and wants to hire them onto a permanent contract, you can do so completely free of charge after 12 weeks of work. 

• The Notice Requirement: To trigger a free transfer, you simply need to provide the recruitment agency with a 4 weeks’ notice period.

• Extended Continuity: Furthermore, the framework outlines that timesheet margins may experience additional mandated reductions if a temporary assignment extends well beyond the initial 12-week threshold, protecting your bottom line over long-term placements.

How can schools find DfE approved supply agencies using the GCA portal?

To get the full legal and financial protections of the framework, schools must follow these steps: 

1. Log In: Access the official GCA agency selection tool using your DfE Sign-In. 

2. Filter Your Search: Search by your postcode, distance, and the specific role you need (e.g., Primary Teacher, SEN Teaching Assistant). 

3. Select a Partner: Choose an approved Lot 1 supplier, such as Vetro Recruitment. 

4. Sign the Call-Off Order Form: This is the most critical step. You must complete a standard GCA Call-Off Order Form instead of signing an agency’s standard terms. You only need to do this once to lock in your capped rates and framework benefits.

Why partner with a government-approved education recruitment agency like Vetro?

At Vetro Recruitment, our entire compliance, vetting and service delivery model is aligned with the standards required by the GCA. 

When you book your supply staff through Vetro under the RM6376 agreement, your school benefits from: 

• Guaranteed Safeguarding: We conduct rigorous, 100% compliant background vetting in strict adherence to the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) standards. This includes enhanced DBS checks, barred list verifications, right-to-work validation, through reference checks and qualification tracking - all validated via independent, regular compliance audits. 

• Total Cost Clarity: No hidden fees, no surprise margins. Our billing is fully transparent, breaking down worker pay, employer on-costs, and our capped framework supplier fee so your business managers can track every penny. 

• Local Expertise: We maintain a deep, highly local pool of vetted, high-quality educators and support professionals to ensure we can fulfill last-minute daily cover as well as long-term hires.

Don’t let the paperwork slow your school down. Let us handle it, so you can focus on your classrooms. 

Have more questions about the mandate or setting up your contract? Contact the Vetro Education team today to seamlessly transition to the new framework.