- Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
- Lot 1b. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need) including complex and/or more specialist needs
- Lot 2. Specialist Residential Overnight Short Breaks for Disabled Children
Scope
Reference
SCC-SMS-0918
Description
1. The Council has a statutory responsibility to provide services to meet the short break and support needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has a statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the health needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers. The Council is seeking to procure provision of registered residential overnight short breaks for children, young people and adults, working in partnership with the ICB to meet statutory responsibilities.
2. The overarching outcomes expected of the services are that:
a) Unpaid carers will be able to continue caring for their child, young person or adult with disabilities in the family home
b) Unpaid carers will be able to provide care more effectively to their child, young person or adult with disabilities.
c) Children, young people and adults with disabilities are supported within the short break environment to have fun and develop their own abilities.
3. It is expected Service Providers will meet needs identified through statutory assessments and work in a person-centred way with disabled children, young people and adults to support them to fulfil their aspirations and promote their wellbeing in relation to:
a) Their physical and mental health.
b) Being protected from abuse and neglect.
c) Taking as much control as possible over their day to day lives, using least restrictive approaches and supporting them to develop their skills and abilities and grow their confidence to realise their full potential.
d) Improving their confidence and emotional wellbeing so that they enjoy life and have positive self identities.
e) Helping them to develop wider social and emotional skills to establish and maintain positive one to one and group relationships outside the family home.
f) Participation in education, employment or training.
g) Strengthening domestic, family and personal relationships.
h) The contribution they make to their community.
i) Providing positive experiences by promoting friendships and by encouraging social activities, new experiences and supportive relationships with carers and peers.
j) Providing culturally appropriate provision that meets the racial, cultural, linguistic and religious needs of the person and their unpaid carers.
k) Using their preferred communication mode at all times.
l) Maximise their independence in preparation for a time when carers cannot continue caring.
4. In addition, it is expected the Services will enable unpaid carers to achieve the outcomes which are important to them, including:
a) Having breaks from their caring responsibilities
b) Being as independent as possible.
c) Being able to participate actively in the community.
d) Being able to access education, employment or training.
e) Being confident that their relative is safe in the short break environment and that they enjoy the experiences.
f) Meeting the needs of other family members more effectively
g) Carrying out day to day tasks which they must perform in order to run their household.
h) Support and continuity for unpaid carers by recognising their needs through flexible planned breaks and emergency backup. On occasions this may include shared care arrangements.
i) Unplanned and short-term support to unpaid carers in crisis or emergency situations.
5. Service Providers will be expected to work alongside children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers in the ongoing shaping and delivery of services and their quality, eventually leading to services being co-produced.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,823,580 excluding VAT
- £9,388,296 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2028
- Possible extension to 30 September 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
One possible extension of two (2) years after the initial three (3) year period.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
Description
a. The Council is seeking to appoint a Service Provider to provide overnight residential respite short breaks for adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities as their primary need at Weston Court, a respite setting in the east of Southampton. Short breaks are an important part of the overall support package provided to adults with learning disabilities and their unpaid carers. They allow unpaid carers to have an overnight break from their caring responsibilities as well as individuals to take part in new activities, form and maintain friendships and develop their independence skills.
b. In addition to the core overnight element of this Service, Providers may need to provide additional hours of support to individuals. The requirement for this as well as the allocation of overnight residential respite short breaks is based on statutory assessments of need and subject to review.
c. The Service is required to be CQC registered to deliver accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care with the relevant specialisms. The Service Provider will ensure equity of access, regularly review quality assurance systems and care and support plans. Individuals and their unpaid carers will be engaged in the development of services. The Service will be expected to operate a core ratio of 1:3 (one staff member to three individuals accessing the service) staffing model. The Service Provider will need to respond flexibly to emerging and unexpected respite requests from unpaid carers to maximise usage and support.
d. The Service Provider will be expected to enter into a License to Occupy Agreement with the Council for the Weston Court site, and a draft of this will be shared as part of the tender documentation.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,105,410 excluding VAT
- £2,526,492 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 1b. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need) including complex and/or more specialist needs
Description
The Council is seeking to appoint a Service Provider to provide overnight residential respite short breaks for adults with severe learning disabilities and profound and multiple learning disabilities as their primary need including complex needs at the Providers own suitable setting. Short breaks are an important part of the overall support package provided to adults with learning disabilities and their unpaid carers. They allow unpaid carers to have an overnight break from their caring responsibilities as well as individuals to take part in new activities, form and maintain friendships and develop their independence skills.
b. In addition to the core overnight element of this Service, Providers may need to provide additional hours of support to individuals. The requirement for this as well as the allocation of overnight residential respite short breaks is based on statutory assessments of need and are subject to review.
c. The Service is required to be CQC registered to deliver accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal with the relevant specialisms. The Service Provider will ensure equity of access, regularly review quality assurance systems and care and support plans. Individuals and their unpaid carers will be engaged in the development of services. The Service will be expected to operate a core ratio of 1:2 (one staff member to two individuals accessing the service). The Service Provider will need to respond flexibly to emerging and unexpected respite requests from unpaid carers to maximise usage and support.
Lot value (estimated)
- £3,056,040 excluding VAT
- £3,667,248 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. Specialist Residential Overnight Short Breaks for Disabled Children
Description
The Council is seeking to appoint a Service Provider to provide overnight residential respite short breaks for children with disabilities, including complex needs at the Providers own suitable setting. Short breaks are an important part of the overall support package for children with disabilities and their unpaid carers. They allow parents and carers to have an overnight break from their caring responsibilities as well as an opportunity for children to take part in new activities, form and maintain friendships and develop their independence skills.
b. In addition to the core overnight element of this Service, Providers may need to provide additional support to individuals. The requirement for this as well as the allocation of overnight residential respite short breaks is based on a formal statutory assessment of need and is subject to review.
c. The Service is expected to be Ofsted registered, with elements of nursing oversight for the presentation of more complex needs, ensure equity of access, regularly review quality and care and support plans and ensure individuals and their unpaid carers are involved in the development of services. The Service will be expected to operate a core ratio of 1:2 (one staff member to two individuals accessing the service) staffing model. The Service Provider will need to respond flexibly to emerging and unexpected respite requests from unpaid carers to maximise usage and support.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,662,130 excluding VAT
- £3,194,556 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.
Submission
Enquiry deadline
22 July 2025, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
29 July 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender submissions must be uploaded (including ALL response Schedules and accompanying evidence) to the Proactis e-procurement portal prior to the submission deadline.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
11 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 50% |
| Quality | Quality | 45% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
A Prior Information Notice (FO1) was published on 19th February 2025 , Publication reference: 2025/S 000-006008, to engage in preliminary market consultation which has helped inform commissioning intentions and this current opportunity.
Contracting authority
Southampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCGN-2413-RBTX
Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road
Southampton
SO14 7LY
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government