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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Children’s Residential Personalised Block Contracts - Phase 2

Essex County Council · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 19:51.

Opportunity overview

Essex County Council (“the Council”) were seeking to engage providers within the children’s residential and fostering space to enter into a block contract agreement for registered provision to support children and young people under the age of 18 who were in unregistered settings. Providers were required to hold Ofsted registered provision and located either in Essex or within 20 miles from the Council’s geographic coverage / boundaries. Please be advised that the contracts for this service were due to be commissioned under an initial term of twelve (12) months (subject to the enactment of the break clause as detailed in the draft terms and conditions for this procurement). Thereafter, the Council, at its sole discretion, may have enacted the options to extend the contract. For the avoidance of any further doubt, please note that this service was due to be commissioned with two (2) optional extension periods, each of which provide an additional twelve (12) month term. Therefore, the maximum duration of each contract per lot would be three (3) years. In addition, please note that the provider(s) would have been required to report their delivery of Social Value in relation to this service as a condition of the enactment of the contractual extensions. The Council were due to provide further details regarding this requirement with the successful bidder(s) during the contract management of this service.

Classification

  • CPV85000000 — Health and social work services
  • CPV85311000 — Social work services with accommodation

Lots

  • Young Person 1£2.2m
  • Young Person 2£2.2m
  • Young Person 3£2.2m
  • Young Person 4£2.2m
  • Young Person 5£2.2m
  • Young Person 6£2.2m
  • Young Person 7£2.2m
  • Young Person 8£2.2m
  • Young Person 9£2.2m

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
DN745245
Status
cancelled
Has Recurrence
No
Procurement Method
open
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure

Covered By

GPA

Procedure

Is Accelerated
Yes
Accelerated Rationale
Please note that this procurement will be open for a minimum of 15 calendar days, in line with the previously published PIN which was designed to alert tenderers of the upcoming opportunity. The justification for invoking shorter response period for this procurement is due to needing the successful provider(s) to have a vacancy, both at the point of submitting their tender response and still holding the vacancy at time of the contract award.

Bid Opening

Date
11 Feb 2025, 12:00
Description
Electronic process - the commercial officer will conduct the opening process via the inbuilt functionality within the Council's e-sender, ProContract. The Council is unable to accept any submissions which are issued outside the e-sender and does not have any discretion to accept any late submissions.

Address

Street Address
Electronically via the inbuilt functionality within the Council's e-sender, ProContract.

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Lot Details

Maximum Lots Bid Per Supplier
9,999,999

Expected award period

Starts
11 Feb 2025, 12:00

Tender Period

Ends
11 Feb 2025, 12:00

Communication

Future Notice Date
4 Nov 2024, 00:00

Contract terms

Performance Terms
The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision include, but are not limited to, the following conditions: • The successful bidder(s) must have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales as detailed within the specification. • The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

Classification

Id
85000000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Health and social work services

Submission terms

Languages

en

Bid Validity Period

Duration In Days
120

Submission Method

electronicSubmission

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
suitability
Description
As detailed within the tender documents.

Applies To

supplier
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Young Person 1
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two further 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Young Person 2
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two further 12 month extensions are available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Young Person 3
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two optional 12 month extensions available

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 4
Id
4
Title
Young Person 4
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two optional 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 5
Id
5
Title
Young Person 5
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two optional 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 6
Id
6
Title
Young Person 6
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 7
Id
7
Title
Young Person 7
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 8
Id
8
Title
Young Person 8
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed
Entry 9
Id
9
Title
Young Person 9
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Has Renewal
Yes
Description
Please find below a summary of the Council’s key requirements for this lot: The Council did not mandate precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This personalised specification approach was designed to allow providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement were individually outlined in each output specification, each of which formed a Lot within this procurement. Each of these output specifications were anonymised referrals of a Young Person who were in an unregistered placement, or at risk of being in an unregistered placement, who required a registered placement. The Council would have considered all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as they were in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council were therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council were not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people included those: • With emotional and behavioural difficulties. • With EHCP plans. • With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children’s homes. • Who have been at risk of harm. • Who have experienced neglect. • Who have experienced emotional abuse. • Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended were likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: • Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. • Offending • Sexualised behaviours • Fire setting • Absconding The placement was not required to accommodate children and young people with: • Physical disabilities. • Severe Learning disabilities. • Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. • Clinical / nursing needs. • Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. In addition, the provider would have been required to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria for providing the provision included, requiring the provider to have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which could be offered within the timescales detailed within the tender. Furthermore, this service was due to be provided in accordance with the following conditions: • The placement must be delivered in Essex or within 20 miles. • The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification was drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification was also drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Please be advised that the full scope of the Council’s requirements for this service was detailed in the overarching service specification which needs to be read in conjunction with the anonymised personal profile for this lot. These documents form part of the tender pack for this procurement which was published on ProContract and accessible to registered users via: https://procontract.due-north.com/

Value

Amount
2,184,000
Currency
GBP

Renewal

Description
Two optional 12 month extensions available.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
Quality
Type
quality
Description
30
Criterion 2
Type
price
Description
70

Contract period

Duration In Days
360

Submission terms

Variant Policy
notAllowed

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3
Entry 3
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 4
Id
4
Related Lot
4

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 5
Id
5
Related Lot
5

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 6
Id
6
Related Lot
6

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 7
Id
7
Related Lot
7

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 8
Id
8
Related Lot
8

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Item 9
Id
9
Related Lot
9

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKH3
Entry 2
Region
UKH3

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Id
85311000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Social work services with accommodation

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
technical
Document Type
technicalSelectionCriteria

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-4622
Name
Essex County Council

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKH3
Locality
Chelmsford
Postal Code
CM1 1QH
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
County Hall, Market Road

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Regional or local authority
Entry 2
Id
01
Scheme
COFOG
Description
General public services

Identifier

Legal Name
Essex County Council

Contact

Name
Ms Rachel Horne
Telephone
+44 333
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-8072
Name
The High Court

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
London
Postal Code
WC2A 2LL
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
The Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand

Identifier

Legal Name
The High Court

Award information

Award 1
Id
016277-2025-1
Title
Young Person 1
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

1
Award 2
Id
016277-2025-2
Title
Young Person 2
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

2
Award 3
Id
016277-2025-3
Title
Young Person 3
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

3
Award 4
Id
016277-2025-4
Title
Young Person 4
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

4
Award 5
Id
016277-2025-5
Title
Young Person 5
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

5
Award 6
Id
016277-2025-6
Title
Young Person 6
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

6
Award 7
Id
016277-2025-7
Title
Young Person 7
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

7
Award 8
Id
016277-2025-8
Title
Young Person 8
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

8
Award 9
Id
016277-2025-9
Title
Young Person 9
Status
unsuccessful
Status Details
discontinued

Related lots

9

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Chelmsford · UKH3 · CM1 1QH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKH3

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04a3a3-2025-04-22T14:47:31+01:00compiled ·