✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 14 Oct 2026, 14:06.
Opportunity overview
Worcestershire County Council is seeking qualified and experienced suppliers to deliver services that support the Council to fulfil its Sufficiency Duty in relation to short breaks for Children with Disabilities and to improve the overall outcomes for these children. The framework agreement will assist the Council to improve the availability of suitable short breaks at the right time and right location, delivering the right support, ensuring that the Council’s Children in Care:
• Receive the best care possible to meet their needs.
• Are effectively supported to improve their individual outcomes.
• Have their welfare promoted and are effectively safeguarded.
The open framework is divided into four (4) Lots:
• Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks
• Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks
• Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care
• Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers
The Council is seeking to put in place an open framework to establish the initial framework and appoint one or more Suppliers to deliver services. This Procurement is intended to set up a list of approved Suppliers. There is no limit to the number of Suppliers who can join the framework. Call-off Award Procedures will then be conducted, and Call-off contracts will then be awarded.
The initial open framework was for Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks and Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks only, with new open framework start date of 1st November 2026.
Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care and Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers 4 will continue on the existing Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) until 28th February 2027.
The framework for Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care and Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers is now open with a start date of 1st March 2027. Lot 1– Overnight Fostering Short Breaks and Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks are also open again for new applications.
All Lots will reopen at least annually in the autumn.
Classification
CPV85000000 — Health and social work services
CPV85300000 — Social work and related services
CPV85311000 — Social work services with accommodation
CPV85311300 — Welfare services for children and young people
CPV85312000 — Social work services without accommodation
CPV85312200 — Homedelivery of provisions
CPV85312400 — Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
CPV98000000 — Other community, social and personal services
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
Awards under the framework agreement may be made with or without reopening competition. Please refer to the Appendix 2 - Short Breaks Services Framework Agreement Clause 4 (Award Procedure) and service specifications for each Lot.
Open Framework Scheme End Date
31 Oct 2034, 23:59
Submission terms
Electronic Submission Policy
allowed
Languages
en
Tender Period
Ends
16 Nov 2026, 16:00
Enquiry period
Ends
28 Oct 2026, 16:00
Expected award period
Ends
21 Dec 2026, 23:59
Recurrence
Dates
Entry 1
Starts
26 Feb 2027, 23:59
Lots and requirements
Entry 1
Id
1
Title
Lot 1 - Overnight Fostering Short Breaks
Description
Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards.
The service provides family-based respite care for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs who are assessed as benefiting from a foster family environment.
Status
active
Value
Including VAT
2,400,000
Amount
2,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
This procedure will be conducted in one single stage – Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) and using one single assessment process for all Lots.
The ITT Stage will assess the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and Quality Questionnaire including Social Value.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Quality Questionnaire
Description
Please refer to the Tender Guidance Section 5 for details about the assessment process and award criteria.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Mar 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Oct 2034, 23:59
Entry 2
Id
2
Title
Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks
Description
Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within a registered children’s home setting.
The service provides respite care for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs who are assessed as benefiting from a residential environment.
Status
active
Value
Including VAT
2,400,000
Amount
2,000,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
This procedure will be conducted in one single stage – Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) and using one single assessment process for all Lots.
The ITT Stage will assess the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and Quality Questionnaire including Social Value.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Quality Questionnaire
Description
Please refer to the Tender Guidance Section 5 for details about the assessment process and award criteria.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Mar 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Oct 2030, 23:59
Entry 3
Id
3
Title
Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care
Description
Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care covers the provision of one-to-one or two-to-one care (daily living activities, personal care, and household tasks) to children and young people aged 0-18 years with SEND and their families in their home.
Status
active
Value
Including VAT
3,504,000
Amount
2,920,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
This procedure will be conducted in one single stage – Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) and using one single assessment process for all Lots.
The ITT Stage will assess the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and Quality Questionnaire including Social Value.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Quality Questionnaire
Description
Please refer to the Tender Guidance Section 5 for details about the assessment process and award criteria.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Mar 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Oct 2034, 23:59
Entry 4
Id
4
Title
Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers
Description
Provision under Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers includes help and support to children and young people at their home and to enable and facilitate access to activities in the community.
Status
active
Value
Including VAT
9,120,000
Amount
7,600,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Weighting Description
This procedure will be conducted in one single stage – Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) and using one single assessment process for all Lots.
The ITT Stage will assess the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and Quality Questionnaire including Social Value.
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
quality
Name
Quality Questionnaire
Description
Please refer to the Tender Guidance Section 5 for details about the assessment process and award criteria.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
1 Mar 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Oct 2034, 23:59
Items and delivery
Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1
Additional Classifications
Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
85000000
Description
Health and social work services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
85300000
Description
Social work and related services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311000
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311300
Description
Welfare services for children and young people
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312000
Description
Social work services without accommodation
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312200
Description
Homedelivery of provisions
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312400
Description
Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
98000000
Description
Other community, social and personal services
Delivery locations
Entry 1
Region
UKG12
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 2
Id
2
Related Lot
2
Additional Classifications
Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
85000000
Description
Health and social work services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
85300000
Description
Social work and related services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311000
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311300
Description
Welfare services for children and young people
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312000
Description
Social work services without accommodation
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312200
Description
Homedelivery of provisions
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312400
Description
Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
98000000
Description
Other community, social and personal services
Delivery locations
Entry 1
Region
UKG12
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 3
Id
3
Related Lot
3
Additional Classifications
Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
85000000
Description
Health and social work services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
85300000
Description
Social work and related services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311000
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311300
Description
Welfare services for children and young people
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312000
Description
Social work services without accommodation
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312200
Description
Homedelivery of provisions
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312400
Description
Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
Entry 8
Scheme
CPV
Id
98000000
Description
Other community, social and personal services
Delivery locations
Entry 1
Region
UKG12
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Item 4
Id
4
Related Lot
4
Additional Classifications
Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
85000000
Description
Health and social work services
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
85300000
Description
Social work and related services
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311000
Description
Social work services with accommodation
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
85311300
Description
Welfare services for children and young people
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312000
Description
Social work services without accommodation
Entry 6
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312200
Description
Homedelivery of provisions
Entry 7
Scheme
CPV
Id
85312400
Description
Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
1 VERSION
1
096982-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Worcestershire County Council is appointing approved providers to an open framework for short-break services for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs. The four lots cover overnight fostering, overnight residential breaks, domiciliary care, and support workers. Call-off procedures will award subsequent contracts.
Who this may suit
Suitable for providers of regulated or specialist children’s respite, foster-care, residential-care, domiciliary-care, and community-support services, depending on lot. The supplied notice does not state detailed selection, accreditation, or insurance requirements.
Key points identified
Service scopeDeliver short-break services for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs across four lots.Evidence: “The open framework is divided into four (4) Lots” followed by overnight fostering, overnight residential, domiciliary care and short breaks support workers.
Lot 1 settingPlanned overnight breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards.Evidence: “Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards.”
Lot 2 settingPlanned overnight breaks within a registered children’s home setting.Evidence: “Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within a registered children’s home setting.”
96% approved-analysis confidence6 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Worcestershire County Council is appointing approved providers to an open framework for short-break services for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs. The four lots cover overnight fostering, overnight residential breaks, domiciliary care, and support workers. Call-off procedures will award subsequent contracts.
Who this may suit
Suitable for providers of regulated or specialist children’s respite, foster-care, residential-care, domiciliary-care, and community-support services, depending on lot. The supplied notice does not state detailed selection, accreditation, or insurance requirements.
Key deliverables
Lot 1: planned overnight short breaks in an approved foster carer’s home.
Lot 2: planned overnight short breaks in a registered children’s home.
Lot 3: one-to-one or two-to-one in-home care, including daily living, personal care and household tasks.
Lot 4: home-based help and support and enabling access to community activities.
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
6 criteria identified
Service scope
99% confidence
Deliver short-break services for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs across four lots.
View supporting evidence
“The open framework is divided into four (4) Lots” followed by overnight fostering, overnight residential, domiciliary care and short breaks support workers.
Lot 1 setting
99% confidence
Planned overnight breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards.
View supporting evidence
“Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards.”
Lot 2 setting
99% confidence
Planned overnight breaks within a registered children’s home setting.
View supporting evidence
“Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within a registered children’s home setting.”
Lot 3 care model
99% confidence
One-to-one or two-to-one care for children and young people aged 0–18 with SEND and their families in their home.
View supporting evidence
“Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care covers the provision of one-to-one or two-to-one care... to children and young people aged 0-18 years with SEND and their families in their home.”
Lot 4 service
99% confidence
Help and support at home and enabling/facilitating access to community activities.
View supporting evidence
“Provision under Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers includes help and support to children and young people at their home and to enable and facilitate access to activities in the community.”
Supplier qualification and eligibility criteria
98% confidence
Unknown from the supplied content.
View supporting evidence
The notice describes “qualified and experienced suppliers” but provides no stated qualification, financial-standing, insurance, exclusion, or selection criteria.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Framework value
99% confidence
Up to £14,520,000.
View supporting evidence
process.value_max: 14520000 GBP; lot values total £14,520,000.
Lot values
99% confidence
Lot 1 £2,000,000; Lot 2 £2,000,000; Lot 3 £2,920,000; Lot 4 £7,600,000.
View supporting evidence
Supplied lot value_amount fields.
Supplier appointments
99% confidence
One or more suppliers may be appointed; there is no limit on the number that can join the framework.
View supporting evidence
“appoint one or more Suppliers” and “There is no limit to the number of Suppliers who can join the framework.”
Call-off arrangements
99% confidence
Call-off award procedures will be conducted and call-off contracts awarded.
View supporting evidence
“Call-off Award Procedures will then be conducted, and Call-off contracts will then be awarded.”
Delivery
Delivery area
95% confidence
UKG12, United Kingdom; locality not stated.
View supporting evidence
Delivery location: region “UKG12”, country “United Kingdom”.
Submission deadline
99% confidence
16 November 2026, 16:00 UTC.
View supporting evidence
process.submission_deadline and each lot submission_deadline: “2026-11-16T16:00:00+00:00”.
Framework timing
93% confidence
Lot 1 and Lot 2 have a stated new framework start date of 1 November 2026; Lot 3 and Lot 4 have a stated framework start date of 1 March 2027.
View supporting evidence
“new open framework start date of 1st November 2026” and “Lot 3... and Lot 4... is now open with a start date of 1st March 2027.”
Reopening
98% confidence
All lots will reopen at least annually in autumn.
View supporting evidence
“All Lots will reopen at least annually in the autumn.”
“The Council is seeking to put in place an open framework”.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Detailed compliance requirements not supplied
99% confidence
The supplied content refers to regulatory standards and registered/approved settings but does not state the specific regulator, registration, accreditation, safeguarding, insurance, or selection requirements.
View supporting evidence
Lot 1 says “meet regulatory standards”; Lot 2 says “registered children’s home setting”; no detailed criteria are supplied.
Framework does not guarantee work
99% confidence
Appointment establishes a list of approved suppliers; work is to be awarded through later call-off procedures.
View supporting evidence
“This Procurement is intended to set up a list of approved Suppliers” and “Call-off Award Procedures will then be conducted”.
Lot-specific timing
93% confidence
The source states different framework start dates for Lots 1–2 and Lots 3–4; suppliers should assess the applicable lot timing.
View supporting evidence
“1st November 2026” for the initial Lot 1–2 framework and “1st March 2027” for Lot 3–4.
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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