Planning

Supporting Stability and Sufficiency of children in care placements

  • Derbyshire County Council

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-002391

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0603fc

Published 12 January 2026, 4:04pm

Scope

Reference

CCS059/CCS047

Description

Soft Market Testing

THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION

Derbyshire County Council has over 1000 children in care. Approximately 50% of these children in care are in placements sourced through external providers, within residential, fostering and supported accommodation.

This is an opportunity for OFSTED registered providers to support in the delivery of Good and Outstanding quality, stable and local placements to the Council's Children in Care.

The Council is committed to driving a dynamic, outcomes-focused, child-centred placement market, which offers good value, quality and choice. The Council also aim to ensure that the right placement is found the first time, on time, every time and to deliver statutory duties. The Council is wanting to develop partnerships that will help the Council's Commissioners and Providers to address areas of sufficiency and establish a clear and strategic sense of direction for future provision within Derbyshire.

The Council would welcome responses from foster care providers, residential providers, and supported accommodation providers to work with the Council to find creative solutions for Derbyshire's Children in Care.

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2031
  • 5 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract locations

  • UKF - East Midlands (England)

Engagement

Engagement deadline

6 February 2026

Engagement process description

The Soft Market information can be accessed via the following link:

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=876a67fb-caef-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=0184a1f4-ccef-f011-813c-005056b64545

The deadline for completion of the questionnaire is 10:00 on 06/02/2026

Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Procedure

Special regime

Light touch

Contracting authority

Derbyshire County Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWZQ-2162-JJQL

County Hall

Matlock

DE4 3AG

United Kingdom

Email: Countyprocurementcompliance.team@derbyshire.gov.uk

Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government