Scope
Reference
LCC-SA2027
Description
Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) has embarked on a Children in Care (CiC) Transformation Programme which is focused on improving outcomes for children in care by providing the right help, at the right time, in the right place at the right cost and for the right duration.
The Council recognise that some young people may need to live in Supported Accommodation and we will strive for them to be placed as close to home as possible where their needs can be best met where they can feel safe and supported within their accommodation, build resilience and are able to maintain good mental health and wellbeing, and transition successfully into adulthood and are able to live independently.
The Council has a statutory duty under the Children Act 1989 to assess the needs of homeless Lincolnshire 16-17 year olds , including Children in Care (CiC), and ensure they are accommodated appropriately.
Following a full scale service review, the Council seek to commission Supported Accommodation for this cohort, the contracts for which will be in place from 1st April 2027 for a period of up to 5 years.
The requirement will be commissioned in Lots:
Lot 1: Lincolnshire Youth Housing Service for 16-17 year olds - 44 units of self-contained accommodation in 3 locations (Boston, Grantham and Lincoln) including 4 units of solo accommodation for more complex young people - indicative total value over 5 years of £10.49m
Lot 2: Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds - 4 units of solo occupancy supported accommodation - indicative total value over 5 years of £3.548m
Lot 3: Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds - 4 units of solo occupancy supported accommodation - indicative total value over 5 years of £3.548m
Suppliers are able to tender for all relevant Lots if appropriate, and will be part of a wider range of Supported Accommodation that includes the Council's in-house provisions and individually commissioned Independent Supported Accommodation placements.
All Suppliers wishing to tender must be registered with Ofsted as a Supported Accommodation provider in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
The tender opportunities are expected to go live in April 2026, though this may change if circumstances dictate.
Subject to evaluation, and following the required standstill period, it is anticipated that final tender award will be confirmed in July 2026 - this will offer an adequate implementation period for the successful supplier(s) in advance of the contract(s) start date on 1st April 2027.
Tender documents detailing the service requirements and Terms and Conditions, along with background information, application guidance, pricing schedule and application form will be available on Panacea in April 2026 (subject to change if required) - go to https://app.panacea-software.com/LCC/Login.aspx to register, and email support@panacea-software.com in the event of any technical difficulties with registration.
Total value (estimated)
- £17,586,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2027 to 30 March 2030
- Possible extension to 16 March 2032
- 4 years, 11 months, 16 days
Description of possible extension:
The contracts (Lots 1, 2 and 3) may be separately extended by agreement, and following a review of the service KPIs in the 6-months prior to the end of the initial contract date of 31st March 2030.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKF3 - Lincolnshire
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Individual Lots will be evaluated separately and will be based on quality statements and submitted price. Quality statements and the indicative contract cost may be different for each Lot.
Lot 1. Lincolnshire Youth Housing Service for 16-17 year olds (Lot 1)
Description
Lincolnshire County Council's commissioned Youth Housing Service (Lot 1) will offer 44 units of self-contained hub-style accommodation (flats/studios) in Boston, Grantham and Lincoln (Lincoln to include 4 units of solo support accommodation for more complex young people).
Service users will be Lincolnshire Children in Care (CiC) aged 16 -17 years old, as well as 16-17 year olds who are at risk of being or who are homeless. Service users may be young parents and/or have a range of support needs.
The service will support young people with their independence skills, and should have post-18 accommodation options available outside the contract or work effectively with identified partners to ensure effective transition to independent accommodation as soon as possible after their 18th birthday.
The supplier must be Ofsted registered in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
Lot value (estimated)
- £10,490,000 including VAT
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. Solo Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds (Lot 2)
Description
Lincolnshire County Council wishes to commission 4 units of solo support accommodation, ideally in Lincoln or immediate surrounding area, for more complex young people (Lot 2).
Service users will predominantly be Lincolnshire Children in Care (CiC) aged 16 -17 years old, but subject to needs, may also be 16-17 year olds who are at risk of being or who are homeless.
These young people may not be suited to living in hub-style accommodation with other young people, though the aim would be to support them to move to either the Youth Housing Service (Lot 1) or the Council's in-house supported accommodation option when they are ready.
The service will support young people with their independence skills, and should have post-18 accommodation options available outside the contract or work effectively with identified partners to ensure effective transition to independent accommodation as soon as possible after their 18th birthday.
The supplier must be Ofsted registered in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,548,000 including VAT
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. Solo Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds (Lot 3)
Description
Lincolnshire County Council wishes to commission 4 units of solo support accommodation, ideally in Lincoln or immediate surrounding area, for more complex young people (Lot 3).
Service users will predominantly be Lincolnshire Children in Care (CiC) aged 16 -17 years old, but subject to needs, may also be 16-17 year olds who are at risk of being or who are homeless.
These young people may not be suited to living in hub-style accommodation with other young people, though the aim would be to support them to move to either the Youth Housing Service (Lot 1) or the Council's in-house supported accommodation option when they are ready.
The service will support young people with their independence skills, and should have post-18 accommodation options available outside the contract or work effectively with identified partners to ensure effective transition to independent accommodation as soon as possible after their 18th birthday.
The supplier must be Ofsted registered in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,548,000 including VAT
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.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lincolnshire Youth Housing Service for 16-17 year olds (Lot 1)
Lot 2. Solo Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds (Lot 2)
Lot 3. Solo Supported Accommodation for 16-17 year olds (Lot 3)
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 April 2026
Tender submission deadline
1 May 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 June 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://professionals.lincolnshire.gov.uk/children%E2%80%99s-commissioning
Lincolnshire County Council webpage for the Children's Strategic Commissioning Team.
Includes the Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2023-27 and annual Market Position Statements.
Technical specifications to be met
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/416/made
Suppliers must me Ofsted registered as a supported accommodation provider at the point of tender, in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, or must be able to evidence an application for registration has been submitted.
Contracting authority
Lincolnshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGRB-3736-CHZN
County Offices, Newland
Lincoln
LN1 1YL
United Kingdom
Contact name: Bridie Fletcher
Email: bridie.fletcher@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Website: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Region: UKF30 - Lincolnshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government