FCS SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS LIMITED

AppealsPro

AppealsPro is a fully-hosted, cloud-based, legislatively compliant, school appeals management solution that enables Appeal Clerks to administer school admission appeals (including Grammar schools), exclusion reviews and transport appeals. The system also comes with a fully integrated Appellant Portal, School Portal and Panellist Portal (for sending Panel Packs securely).

Features

• Remote access
• Workflow automation
• Real-time reporting
• Email and SMS Integration
• Single sign-on (Entra ID and Google)
• Full auditing
• Role-based access control for all user types
• Dashboard analytics with configurable views by role
• Real-time appeal tracking and status updates
• API integration with third-party systems

Benefits

• Zero infrastructure required
• Deploys quickly with training, configuration, and onboarding included
• Automated backups without user intervention
• Accelerates decisions with automated workflows and scheduling
• Enables real-time collaboration across council departments
• Automates statutory letters, hearing notices, reminders and decisions
• Reduces printing, postage, and storage costs significantly
• Delivers full audit trails and compliance reporting
• Provides secure portals for parents, schools, and panel members

• Free trial available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales@fcssoftware.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

731847233142539

Contact

Jamie Doig
01452 345629
sales@fcssoftware.co.uk

About your service

• Service categories:

  Application Development and Deployment

  Application platforms

  • Model driven application platforms
  • Robotic process automation
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: No
• Cloud deployment model: Private cloud
• Service constraints: Planned maintenance is carried out outside of standard business hours where possible and notified to customers in advance. Occasional brief service interruptions may occur during scheduled updates or security patches. The service requires a modern web browser and stable internet connection. Data is hosted within UK-based, ISO 27001-certified data centres. No additional hardware dependencies exist.
• System requirements:
  • Modern web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
  • Stable internet connection
  • Application site licence

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: Business as usual email support is provided Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm where we aim to respond within 2 working hours.; ; During busy periods the business will default to our standard SLA response times of Critical (1 hour), High (2 hours), Medium (4 hours), Low (8 hours).; ; An email support service for Critical support is available at all other times where we will make best endeavours to respond within 1 hour.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support: Yes
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Web chat accessibility testing: Our service uses Microsoft Teams for all web chat communication. We have not carried out formal accessibility testing with assistive technology users specifically within Teams, as Microsoft provides built-in accessibility features that are already extensively tested and documented. Teams supports screen readers (such as JAWS and NVDA), keyboard navigation, high-contrast display modes, and live captions. We rely on these Microsoft accessibility standards to ensure that users with assistive technologies can participate fully in chat and collaboration features. We continue to monitor Microsoft’s accessibility updates and welcome user feedback to identify any additional needs or improvements.
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Business as usual: Telephone and email support is provided Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am to 5pm. We aim to respond within 2 working hours but will default to our standard SLA response times of Critical (1 hour), High (2 hours), Medium (4 hours), Low (8 hours) during busy periods.; ; An email support service for Critical support is available at all other times where we will make best endeavours to respond within 1 hour.; ; We provide General, Application and Technical Support as standard and all support levels are included within the set support and maintenance fee.
• Support available to third parties: No
• AI chatbot: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Prior to the delivery of the system, a project kick-off meeting will be arranged with all key stakeholders invited. This session will set out the project plan and define roles and responsibilities.; ; Training is typically delivered remotely by one our training specialists.; ; In addition, we can also provide an onsite training service, where we can deliver all of the online training content and relevant exercises at the users business premises or at an agreed training location. ; ; To support the training received, a full and comprehensive user document that covers all aspects of the application and its use is provided at the point of delivery of the live system.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: An end of contract scenario (termination or otherwise) will trigger our Data Extraction Plan. This plan assumes a 'big bang' approach, meaning that everything happens in a one-time boxed event.; ; This approach acknowledges the restricted timescales that the user is typically bound by and so allows them to migrate their data to another supplier in the most practical, timely and efficient manner possible.; ; An overview of the process is as follows;; ; Step one: the suppliers appointed 'contract transition manager' will liaise with the user and agree the data extraction plan, timescales and then communicate this to all stakeholders involved in the data extraction process.; ; Step two: the contract transition manager will ensure that detailed supporting documentation is provided to assist the users incumbent supplier in auditing the data, in readiness for the migration, by identifying the following;; ; 1. What the data fields are; 2. What does and doesn't need to be mapped; 3. Any missing data; 5. Any inaccuracies; ; Step three: Extract the data and deposit it in a secure location (as agreed and provided by the user i.e. a secure FTP).; ; Step four: Provide a consultative service to assist the user during their migration process.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of contract, in conjunction with the data extraction service, the following process will be implemented, all of which is included in the price of the contract.; ; 1. Internally appoint one of our product delivery specialists to the role of Contract Transition Manager; 2. The Contract Transition Manager will be the single point of contact for the user and any incumbent supplier, in all matters relating to the end of contract; 3. The end of contract process includes the data extraction and migration assistance service (both in a physical and consultative capacity); 4. At the point of successfully extracting the data, securely delivering it to the user and receiving confirmation from the user that the data has been successfully extracted and delivered, we will commence our 'folding up' service; 5. The folding up service includes the following;; a. the removal of any and all user data backups; b. Redaction and service archiving of any related information or documentation that we are legally bound to retain (for any set period of time); c. Revoking of any and all user access to our software and services
• Documentation accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: AppealsPro is a cloud-based web application accessible through any modern web browser on desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile devices. The core functionality is the same across all platforms. Users can securely log in, view data, manage tasks, and perform all key operations regardless of device type. Differences: Some advanced configuration or administration features may be easier to use on desktop due to screen size and layout. There is no separate mobile app, all access is via the browser. Overall, the user experience and performance are consistent across desktop and mobile devices, with only minor layout and navigation adjustments for usability.
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Description of service interface: Yes. AppealsPro is accessed through a secure, web-based interface. Users log in via any modern web browser using their credentials. The interface provides access to all features, including data entry, reporting, administration, and communication tools. The design is fully responsive, allowing users to access the service from desktop, tablet, or mobile devices without additional software installation. An API is also available for authorised integrations where required.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Accessibility testing: AppealsPro has been designed and tested in alignment with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 Level AA, with some areas achieving Level AAA compliance. Our accessibility assurance process includes testing with a range of assistive technologies to verify usability and compliance across different user needs. ; ; Testing approach: We conducted internal accessibility testing using recognised assistive technologies including ChromeVox screen reader, keyboard-only navigation, and high-contrast and zoom adjustments to validate content structure and interaction consistency. The testing confirmed that: All non-text elements have descriptive text alternatives. All system functions are fully operable via keyboard, including modals, ribbons, and dropdowns. Screen readers can accurately interpret page structure, focus order, and navigation hierarchy. Contrast, resizing, and focus indicators meet or exceed WCAG 2.2 Level AA standards User interaction simulations: Our validation process includes real-world simulation of assistive use cases, such as operating without a mouse, using speech-to-text input, and verifying sequential focus order through form fields and modals Continuous improvement: We continue to monitor accessibility feedback and track Microsoft’s assistive technology updates to ensure compatibility across browsers and devices. Future testing cycles will include external user evaluation with assistive technology users to complement our internal compliance audits.
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: The AppealsPro API provides secure, documented endpoints for integrating with the AppealsPro platform. The API follows RESTful principles and is fully described in the public Swagger documentation. What users can do using the API: Retrieve, create, and update election-related data (e.g. electors, polling districts, postal voters, and events). Automate data exchange between ElectionsPro and third-party systems, such as CRM, EMS, or reporting platforms. Access structured data via authenticated GET and POST requests. Manage data in bulk through defined endpoints using JSON payloads. Query system status, configuration, and audit history for integration monitoring. Setting up the service through the API: Once authenticated, endpoints are accessed via HTTPS using standard REST calls. The Swagger interface provides full endpoint details, parameters, and live testing functionality. Making changes through the API: Users can make authorised data updates depending on their access level. All changes are validated by AppealsPro’s business rules and logged in the system’s audit trail. Limitations: The API is read/write restricted — some administrative functions (such as user management, licensing, or role assignment) are available only within the AppealsPro web interface. API usage is rate limited for performance and security reasons. Only authenticated users with valid credentials can perform write operations.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: Open API (also known as Swagger)
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: AppealsPro allows a range of configurable options so that each organisation can tailor the service to its operational requirements while maintaining compliance and data integrity. ; ; What can be customised: Portal branding, Document templates, User roles, access levels, and permissions. Layout preferences such as sidebar visibility, contrast, and font size. Notification settings, including toast messages and alerts. Integration settings with third-party systems via the Appeals API. ; ; How users can customise: Customisation is completed through the AppealsPro web interface and, for technical integrations, via the API. Administrators can adjust settings through on-screen controls, user management tools, and configuration panels — no coding required for interface-level changes. ; ; Who can customise: Administrators – manage system-wide settings, permissions, and integrations. Standard users – can personalise their view, layout, and notification preferences within their account.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: The service is delivered using a multi-tenant or dedicated (based on hosting tier selected) cloud architecture hosted on Microsoft Azure, with logical separation of customer data and workloads. Resources are monitored and scaled to manage demand, ensuring consistent performance during peak usage periods such as main round. Capacity planning, performance monitoring, and alerting are in place to identify and address contention risks. Azure’s underlying infrastructure provides isolation, resilience, and elastic scaling, while application-level controls prevent individual customer activity from adversely affecting others.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: System availability is maintained at 99.9% uptime, with live monitoring of server performance and response times. Support metrics include ticket response and resolution targets aligned with defined SLAs. User activity, appeal case throughput, and document processing volumes are tracked in real time to assess workload and efficiency. Administrators can access dashboards showing key appeal metrics, including (but not limited to): appeal types, appeal numbers, common trends, decision times, panel member attendance.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request
• Resource tagging: Yes
• FOCUS resource tagging: Yes

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: United Kingdom
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CREST-approved service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Other
• Other data at rest protection approach: We use tools to safeguard data, applying symmetric encryption to encrypt and decrypt large amounts of data quickly.; ; Data encryption at rest provides defence-in-depth protection using the following conceptual model:; ; A symmetric encryption key is used to encrypt data as it is written to storage.; ; The same encryption key is used to decrypt that data as it is readied for use in memory.; ; Data may be partitioned, and different keys may be used for each partition.
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type: Deleted data can’t be directly accessed / Cryptographic Erasure

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: Users can export their data using a variety of methods. The base standard is for the user to use the export option which exports all on-screen data into an Excel spreadsheet.; ; Alternatively the user can use the proprietary reporting tool to export specific sets of data (elector specific, property specific etc.), applying user defined reporting parameters and exporting data in a range of formats i.e. csv, tsv, Excel, PDF.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • Excel
  • PDF
• Data import formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data import formats:
  • Excel
  • Docx
  • Standard Image Formats

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: AppealsPro is hosted in a high-availability cloud environment with an uptime guarantee of 99.9%, excluding planned maintenance. Service availability is continuously monitored, and scheduled maintenance windows are communicated in advance. Our standard Service Level Agreement (SLA) provides a 1-hour response time for critical incidents and restoration within 4 hours where possible. In the unlikely event that guaranteed uptime is not met, customers are eligible for service credits or pro-rata refunds based on the duration and impact of the outage. Continuous monitoring, redundancy, and failover processes ensure resilience and minimal disruption to users.
• Approach to resilience: Available on request
• Outage reporting: Our infrastructure is hosted within Microsoft Azure, leveraging its high-availability, security, and compliance frameworks. We actively monitor Azure’s Service Health Dashboard and receive real-time outage notifications via automated email alerts from Microsoft whenever any incident, degradation, or maintenance event affects the services we use.; Upon receipt of an alert, our technical team immediately reviews the scope and potential impact to determine whether customer-facing systems are affected. If any service interruption or performance degradation is confirmed, we promptly issue a customer notification outlining:; ; the nature of the issue,; the affected systems or modules,; any known workarounds, and; ongoing remediation or monitoring actions.; ; We continue to provide updates as Azure posts progress reports or until full service restoration is confirmed. Once resolved, a summary of the incident, including root cause and mitigation measures, is recorded internally and shared with affected customers where applicable.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: As part of the installation we create an Admin account and provide the (administrative) user with access to our Users and Groups modules.; ; The administrator is able to use these functions to create new/edit and delete Users, create user groups i.e. Admin, Power User, Read-only User etc. and then assign permissions with different levels of access to each of these groups.; ; The permission and level settings within this account management module are extensive and allow the admin user to define and configure almost any combination of system access to suit any user.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: Between 6 months and 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: We have a number of policies that set the rules enacted by us to ensure we abide by the prescriptions regarding the security of data.; ; Policies are created, reviewed and maintained by the Managing Director and monitored and enforced by the Technical Director. All staff report through their line manager who in turn reports directly to the Directors.; ; Confidential Data Policy:; Details how we abide by the Data Protection Laws; ; Device Security Policy:; Details how we ensure the security of information on the workstation; ; File Sharing Policy:; Details how we share, transmit, view and publish sensitive, protected or confidential data or content; ; GDPR Policy:; Details how we process data in accordance our responsibilities under GDPR; ; Incidence Response Policy:; Details how we respond to breaches, Cyber security attacks and Disaster Incidents; ; Password Protection Policy:; Details the standard for creating passwords, its protection and frequency of change; ; Physical Security Policy:; Details the security controls in place to meet all legal, regulatory, contractual and standards; ; Security Awareness Policy:; Details our response to virus hoaxes, social engineering, malware, spyware and phishing; ; System Hardening Standards:; Details our standards for installations and configuring software; ; Wireless Policy; Details requirements that wireless infrastructure devices connect to our network
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Ll components are managed in Azure as we don't have any physical hardware (Servers etc.) As such, our server infrastructure is handled by Azure services.; ; Owing to the above, we do not have change management process in place as we do not have any infrastructure to manage.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: We do not have a vulnerability management process in place as this is managed by Azure.; ; Our Technical Director has full access to Azure's Threat Management dashboards which include:; ; 1. Advanced Data Security; 2. Vulnerabilities assessments; 3. Advanced threat protection.; ; In regards to any other vulnerabilities, these are covered in the following policies:; ; 1. Confidential Data Policy; 2. Device Security Policy; 3.File Sharing Policy:; 4. GDPR Policy; 5. Incidence Response Policy; 6. Cyber security attacks and Disaster Incidents; 7. Password Protection Policy; 8. Physical Security Policy; 9. Security Awareness Policy; 10. System Hardening Standards; 11. Wireless Policy
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: Potential comprises are identified through the use of Azures Advanced Threat Protection module.; ; We're alerted to suspicious events, i.e. a SQL injection attack and provided with links on how to remediate it. We identify that it is a genuine threat and (if required) take steps to remediate it.; ; Response to these incidents are based on the threat level provided, where we will mitigate the threat, prevent future attacks and/or trigger automated responses.; ; High: investigate and respond immediately; Medium: investigate immediately (then respond immediately or within two calendar days); Low: investigate within one working day and respond within five working days
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: Our Incident Response Policy (which is applied in conjunction with our Confidentiality and Data and File Sharing policies) detail how we respond to incidents i.e. Breaches, Cyber Security Attacks, Business Continuity and Disaster Incidents.; ; Incidents (whether reported by the customers or discovered internally), are reported to an FCS Director who will carry out a review and categorise the incident by severity, i.e. threat of life, disruption of service.; ; Customers that are affected are contacted and provided with a report, which includes details of the incident, strategies to mitigate risk, and any actions that need to be taken by the customer.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: No

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: Yes
• Description of free trial: We can provide a limited time free trial which will be supplied with default document templates and notifications. The trial is limited to a one month timescale, a half day introduction session is included as part of the trial.

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 0%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 0%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 0%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 0%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 0%
• Over £5,000,001: 0%

Non-mandatory Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: SOCOTEC
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Friday 2 August 2024
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: The certification does not cover customer-owned infrastructure, end-user devices, or third-party services that are not included within the defined scope of FCS Software’s ISO/IEC 27001 certified ISMS.
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: No
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: None of the criteria
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Please provide your Cyber Essentials Plus Certificate Number: C34b8a08-422c-478c-9909-7573487b06d9
• Other security certifications: No

Social value

• Section B - Commitment for Future: Delivery:

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

    • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
    • New apprenticeships on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b
    • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
    • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
    • Ensuring new workers are informed of their right to join a trade union
    • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
    • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
    • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
    • Activities to cascade good practice on fair working conditions throughout the supply chain
    • Offer a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers, ideally equivalent to statutory adoption pay and leave
    • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
    • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
    • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
    • Plans for an appropriate income replacement policy for staff who are required to spend time away from work to care for a sick dependent or close relative
    • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
    • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
    • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
    • Volunteering opportunities for staff
    • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
    • Measures to identify, mitigate and manage modern slavery risks relating to the contract and how these will be implemented
    • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling
    • How these flow down the supply chain and are monitored Illustrative examples include reporting, site visits, audits, etc.
    • How to ensure business decisions re: price/cost, short lead times, payment timescales do not create modern slavery risks in the supply chain
    • How the supplier will work with NGOs, trade unions or other businesses to address modern slavery risk
    • Means of influencing staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders with respect to modern slavery risks relating to the contract

  • Mission: Kick start economic growth. To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

    Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

    • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
    • Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees
    • Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutual
    • Understanding of local demographics, needs and opportunities for the co-design of the goods, services and works to be delivered under the contract
    • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
    • Measures to involve local stakeholders and/or users in design (e.g. in the design of services, systems, products or buildings)
    • Plans for positive actions with community groups.
    • Measures for making facilities used in the delivery of the contract available for community groups, education or training
    • Measures to engage users and communities and build relationships to increase community integration build trust and influence how the contract is delivered
    • Plans to respond flexibly and adapt approaches to community engagement and initiatives
    • Support for community-led initiatives relevant to the contract. Illustrative examples: improving transport links; reducing loneliness; helping with English language proficiency; and facilitating social mixing among people with different backgrounds
    • Collaborating with anchor institutions and community groups to make facilities available for education, training or community events

  • Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower: To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

    Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

    • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Delivery of additional environmental benefits through the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
    • Understanding of how to influence staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement
    • Activities to reconnect people with the environment and increase awareness of ways to protect and enhance it

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

    • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
    • Creation of employment opportunities particularly for those who face barriers to employment, such as prison leavers, care leavers and/or who are located in deprived areas, and for people in industries with known skills shortages or in high growth sectors
    • Delivery of training schemes and programmes to address any identified skills gaps and under-representation in the workforce for the contract (e.g. prison leavers, care leavers, kinship carers, disabled people)
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
    • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
    • Collection of the views and expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations on successfully supporting disabled employees or applicants
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
    • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
    • Offering a range of quality opportunities with routes of progression if appropriate, e.g. T Level industry placements, students supported into higher level apprenticeships.
    • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
    • Other measures to provide equality of opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions into employment, including becoming a Disability Confident employer and inclusion of supported businesses in the contract supply chain
    • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce
    • Inclusive and accessible development practices, including guidance for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition

  • Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity: By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

    Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

    • Understanding of the issues affecting the development of new skills by target cohort
    • Understanding of the underlying factors affecting improvements to reduce barriers to entry and training schemes for the target cohort(s) related to the contract workforce
    • Other measures to offer development opportunities for the target cohort(s) in the contract workforce
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
    • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce
    • Creation of outreach activities to create a pipeline of employees for the future contract delivery
    • Content of the outreach activity is designed to suit the target cohort
    • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort

  • Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future: That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

    Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

    • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
    • Understanding barriers to access to health and social care services or employment opportunities e.g. digital inclusion
    • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition
    • Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales@fcssoftware.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.