Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Essex County Council
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
Contact
Ms Anne-Lise Nicol
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH3 - Essex
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Children’s Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach
Reference number
DN711075
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Essex County Council have an opportunity for providers within the children’s
residential and fostering space to enter into a block contract agreement, this will be for
registered provision for children and young people under the age of 18, currently in
unregistered settings. Providers must have provision or be able to demonstrate they will
have, that is Ofsted registered and, either in Essex or within 20 miles from Essex County Council’s geographic coverage / boundaries.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £8,736,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows 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 are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.
The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.
The Council are 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 include 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 are
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 is 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.
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 that the provider will have a registered children’s
home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales 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.
This service specification has been 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 has also been 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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical Response / Weighting: 30
Price - Weighting: 70
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,184,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Two further 12 month extensions are available.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows 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 are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.
The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.
The Council are 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 include 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 are
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 is 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.
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 that the provider will have a registered children’s
home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales 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.
This service specification has been 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 has also been 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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical Response / Weighting: 30
Price - Weighting: 70
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,184,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Two further 12 month extensions are available.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows 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 are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.
The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.
The Council are 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 include 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 are
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 is 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.
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 that the provider will have a registered children’s
home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales 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.
This service specification has been 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 has also been 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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical Response / Weighting: 30
Price - Weighting: 70
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,184,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Two further 12 month extensions available.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH3 - Essex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows 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 are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.
The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.
The Council are 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 include 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 are
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 is 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.
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 that the provider will have a registered children’s
home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales 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.
This service specification has been 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 has also been 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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical Response / Weighting: 30
Price - Weighting: 70
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,184,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
12
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Two further 12 month extensions available.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions
As detailed within the tender documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
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 that the provider will have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales 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.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
Accelerated procedure
Justification:
Procurement will be open for a minimum of 15 calendar days, a PIN was previously published to alert tenderers of the upcoming opportunity. Justification for shorter period due to needing providers to have a vacancy, and still hold vacancy at time of award.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-004816
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
5 September 2024
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
5 September 2024
Local time
12:00pm
Place
Electronically via ProContract
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure
The commercial officer will conduct the opening process via the functionality within the Council's e-sourcing portal ProContract. No postal responses or any submissions which are issued outside the electronic portal will be accepted.
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom