Scope
Reference
NCCT43288
Description
Norfolk County Council (NCC) has demonstrated national leadership in social investment through its successful implementation of Social Outcomes Partnerships (SOPs). Building on this foundation, the SIGN programme seeks to attract further investment to address complex social challenges.
This strategic framework seeks to support long-term partnerships between funders, investors, outcome payers and Norfolk delivery partners in developing and implementing a wide range of investment projects aligned to UK government policy, NCC strategic objectives and the Norfolk Local Growth Plan. NCC are keen to see partnerships that deliver higher impact for beneficiaries, delivery partners and NCC commissioners.
The Strategic Framework is intended to be inclusive and encourage investment organisations to engage with the development of the SIGN programme and initiate investment into sustainable and replicable projects and programmes of work. This will likely include but not be limited to:
• Investors into outcome-based partnerships
• Asset backed and property-backed investments with an emphasis on the development of new operating models and revenue funded services from those assets
• Investment support to voluntary, community, social enterprise and social purpose organisations and consortia supporting public service transformation
• Investors and grant providers from the philanthropic and corporate sectors seeking to provide grant, repayable grant and low yield flexible debt to support growth and productivity and tackle poverty and exclusion across Norfolk.
The intention is to develop a new form of engagement via the framework between social investment organisations and other funders interested in social impact to work with provider(s) and local commissioners to co-design and co-develop new solutions to challenging local issues. This will be an emergent and evolving piece of work requiring a partner/s to work across a range of stakeholders and investors on investment propositions .
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 85322000 - Community action programme
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
- UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
- UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
Lot 1. Children's Services and Education
Description
Commissioning teams across NCC and its health partners have been exploring where social investment, outcome approaches and other forms of place-based investment can support their transformation plans and strategic priorities. Full details will be provided in the specification once published.
In children's services these will include:
a. step down from residential care;
b. expansion of the foster carers network across the county;
c. additional provision to prevent escalation from Child Protection Plan to Local Authority
d. new services and interventions to support SEND children.
In education services, priorities will include:
a. preventing exclusions;
b. improved outcomes from virtual school and Elective Home Education provision;
c. reintegration into mainstream provision for students;
d. enhanced offers for children at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
Outcomes across key transition points, edge of care services and complex services are also in scope.
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Public Health
Description
Commissioning teams across NCC and its health partners have been exploring where social investment, outcome approaches and other forms of place-based investment can support their transformation plans and strategic priorities. Full details will be provided in the specification once published. However the lot will include innovation delivery in the following areas:
a. Children and young people aged 5-19 to ensure better life opportunities;
b. Sexual and reproductive health;
c. Reduction in drug and alcohol addiction
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Adult Social Care/Community Health
Description
Commissioning teams across NCC and its health partners have been exploring where social investment, outcome approaches and other forms of place-based investment can support their transformation plans and strategic priorities. Full details will be provided in the specification once published. However the lot will include
a. redesign of the intermediate care offer with an emphasis on preventing hospital admission and speeding up hospital discharge through reablement at home
b. integrated home care bringing together community, adult social care and wider health teams to support home-based services.
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Skills and Productivity
Description
Commissioning teams across NCC and its health partners have been exploring where social investment, outcome approaches and other forms of place-based investment can support their transformation plans and strategic priorities. Full details will be provided in the specification once published. However the lot will include
a. new provision for young people who are NEET/at risk of becoming NEET;
b. services for young people leaving the care system;
c. skills provision for neuro-diverse individuals;
d. upskilling people locked into entry levels jobs and development of career pathways as well as innovating apprenticeship offers across NCC;
e. tackling skills shortages with key sectors, and;
f. tackling low aspiration/further developing the careers hubs.
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
20
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
• Any successor body to Norfolk County Council, including any company formed by the Council to carry out its Children's Services, Education, Adult Social Services, Community Health, Public Health, Economic Development or Skills Development functions
• The Combined Mayoral Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk once operational
• Any organisation Norfolk County Council outsources its Children's Services, Education, Adult Social Services, Community Health, Public Health, Economic Development or Skills Development requirements to
• Any public body with which the Council enters into pooling arrangements for the provision of its Children's Services Education, Adult Social Services, Community Health, Public Health, Economic Development or Skills Development services.
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UKH14 - Suffolk
- UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
- UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
- UKH17 - Breckland and South Norfolk
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
30 January 2026
Enquiry deadline
20 February 2026, 11:00am
Tender submission deadline
6 March 2026, 11:00am
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
16 April 2026
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Norfolk County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDYH-3246-XWTR
County Hall, Martineau Lane
Norwich
NR1 2DH
United Kingdom
Email: sourcingteam@norfolk.gov.uk
Region: UKH15 - Norwich and East Norfolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government