Scope
Reference
2025-200
Description
Milton Keynes City Council ('the Council') is keen to explore how we can best work with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to develop sufficient, good-quality local homes for children in our care.
We are a growing city, experiencing rapid expansion of our population and an increase in the number of children looked after by the local authority. We want to look beyond the traditional 'framework' model of contracting to build closer relationships with fostering providers operating locally, guarantee sustainable commissioning and work in partnership to recruit and retain foster carers.
We are particularly keen to engage with IFAs around the possibility of developing block or soft-block contracts for foster care placements to ensure the needs of our children can be met long-term. These are likely to be 'enhanced' placements, intended for children who could live in a foster home but who might otherwise enter residential care due if sufficient fostering placements are not available.
We are keen to hear from providers on the questions given in the market engagement document. The responses to the questions will help the Council in developing the specification and the tender.
Please respond to the questions within the attached document by latest 5pm on 25th July 2025 via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. If there is sufficient interest in a scoping event to explore the proposal in more detail, this will be held w/c 11th August, please indicate in the attached document if you would like to receive an invitation.
The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home
Total value (estimated)
- £9,500,000 excluding VAT
- £9,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 2 November 2026 to 1 November 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Engagement
Engagement deadline
25 July 2025
Engagement process description
Milton Keynes City Council ('the Council') is keen to explore how we can best work with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to develop sufficient, good-quality local homes for children in our care.
We are a growing city, experiencing rapid expansion of our population and an increase in the number of children looked after by the local authority. We want to look beyond the traditional 'framework' model of contracting to build closer relationships with fostering providers operating locally, guarantee sustainable commissioning and work in partnership to recruit and retain foster carers.
We are particularly keen to engage with IFAs around the possibility of developing block or soft-block contracts for foster care placements to ensure the needs of our children can be met long-term. These are likely to be 'enhanced' placements, intended for children who could live in a foster home but who might otherwise enter residential care due if sufficient fostering placements are not available.
We are keen to hear from providers on the questions given in the market engagement document. The responses to the questions will help the Council in developing the specification and the tender.
Please respond to the questions within the attached document by latest 5pm on 25th July 2025 via In-Tend Correspondence section/market engagement stage. If there is sufficient interest in a scoping event to explore the proposal in more detail, this will be held w/c 11th August, please indicate in the attached document if you would like to receive an invitation.
The Market Engagement document can be accessed on our e-tendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/milton-keynes/aspx/Home
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
19 November 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Milton Keynes City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDZ-6131-PWZH
Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East
Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Procurement Team
Telephone: 01908691691
Email: corporateprocurement@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Website: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/
Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government