​We are delighted to share some exciting news. Link3 Recruitment has been successfully awarded a place on the Government Commercial Agency RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment (STeER) framework, across both Lot 1 and Lot 2.

This is a significant milestone for us, and one we are incredibly proud of as a team. It is not just recognition of the quality of our work, it is an important step forward as we continue working towards our plans to grow Link3 nationally.

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What Is the RM6376 Framework?

For those unfamiliar with it, the RM6376 Supply Teachers and Education Recruitment framework, commonly referred to as STeER, is a new government-negotiated framework agreement developed by the Government Commercial Agency, formerly known as Crown Commercial Service, in partnership with the Department for Education.

It replaces the previous Supply Teachers and Temporary Staff framework and launches in May 2026, running through to May 2029 with an option to extend. The framework has an estimated total value of £2 billion and covers the provision of temporary and permanent staffing across schools and educational establishments in England.

One of the most significant elements of the STeER framework is its approach to fee transparency and value for schools. Schools across England spend approximately £1.4 billion a year on agency supply staff, and the new framework introduces maximum daily supplier fee rates across all role categories, capping agency mark-up rather than what supply workers are paid. This means agency staff pay and conditions are entirely unaffected, while schools benefit from stronger cost controls and clearer pricing.

The framework was developed in collaboration with ESPO, NEPO and YPO, giving it broader national reach and stronger negotiating weight on behalf of schools.

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What Do Lot 1 and Lot 2 Cover?

The framework is structured across two lots, and Link3 has secured a place on both.

Lot 1 covers Teachers and Education Recruitment, an agency selection tool allowing schools to hire temporary, fixed term, and permanent workers directly from a recruitment agency. Lot 2 is a Managed Service model, where a single provider manages supply staffing needs, drawing on a supply chain of agencies where required.

Being awarded a place on both lots means schools and academy trusts can access Link3 through either route, giving them flexibility in how they choose to work with us.

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Why This Matters for Schools

From September 2026, when the updated Academy Trust Handbook is published, academy trusts will be required to use the RM6376 framework for their supply staffing needs, unless they have an alternative compliant arrangement with rates that do not exceed those available through the framework.

This means that working with a framework-approved agency is not just a quality assurance decision, it is increasingly a compliance one too. Schools and trusts working with Link3 can be confident that we operate within the agreed standards, rate caps, safeguarding requirements, and audit expectations that the framework demands.

The framework also includes a 12-week free temporary-to-permanent provision. After 12 weeks, schools can take on supply staff permanently without paying a transfer fee, a significant financial benefit that many current agency contracts do not offer. This is something we fully support, because we believe the best outcome for a school and a candidate is often a long-term placement, not a revolving door.

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What This Means for Link3

For us, this framework award is about more than a badge. It validates the standards we have always held ourselves to on compliance, safeguarding, candidate quality, and transparency in our relationships with schools.

Since we launched Link3 Recruitment, we have built our reputation across the Midlands by doing things properly. We take the time to understand the schools we work with. We vet our candidates rigorously. We stay in contact after placements to make sure things are working, not just for the school but for the candidate too. That approach is what got us here.

Being on the RM6376 framework now opens the door for us to bring that same approach to schools beyond our current region. Our ambition is to grow Link3 nationally, and this framework gives us a credible, government-approved platform to do exactly that.

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What Happens Next

This framework goes live in May 2026. If you are a school, Multi-Academy Trust, or local authority looking to work with a compliant, approved education recruitment agency, we would love to hear from you.

Whether you need supply teachers at short notice, fixed-term cover, permanent recruitment, or a managed staffing solution, Link3 is now positioned to support you through a framework that has been specifically designed to deliver better value and stronger outcomes for schools.

This is a proud moment for everyone at Link3. We are excited about what comes next.

Get in touch with the Link3 Recruitment team today. Visit: www.link3recruitment.co.uk | Call: 0115 6972550