Independent Secretariat Service / Function for the School Support Staff Negotiating Body

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking to engage with the market in advance of a planned procurement for an independent secretariat service to support the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB). The SSSNB was established through the Employment Rights Act 2025 and brings together employer and employee representatives to negotiate matters relating to school support staff pay, terms and conditions The Department intends to appoint a supplier to provide an independent and impartial secretariat function to support the effective operation of the SSSNB and its associated governance arrangements. The service must provide more than administrative support. The provider will help create the conditions for constructive negotiations while remaining impartial and independent of employer, employee and departmental interests. The successful provider will be expected to:

• provide governance and secretariat support to the SSSNB and its Chair including developing the operating model, coordination of meetings, agendas, papers, action tracking and records of decisions;
• facilitate effective engagement and relationship management between the independent Chair, employer representatives, employee representatives, Department for Education officials and other stakeholders;
• support (including through planning and commissioning) evidence gathering, research, analysis and reporting activities;
• prepare briefings, recommendations and other documentation required to support the work of the SSSNB;
• coordinate meetings, agendas, papers, action tracking and records of decisions; and
• plan, coordinate and support the smooth delivery of the SSSNB's work programme

The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations.