Scope
Reference
CP2706-25
Description
Devon County Council (DCC) is issuing this notice to inform the market of its intention to procure a strategic partner for the delivery of:
• Children's homes
• High-needs foster care
• Associated therapeutic education
This strategic partnership model-rather than traditional block contracting-is intended to provide greater flexibility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of children and young people. The aim is to deliver more adaptable, blended care solutions tailored to individual circumstances.
By fully integrating this provision with existing council children's services, DCC seeks to enhance support for children and young people with the most complex needs. The overarching goal is to provide stable, local homes within Devon, alongside consistent access to education from childhood through to adulthood-enabling young people to thrive and reach their full potential.
DCC is seeking to establish a long-term (10-year) strategic partnership with a provider who shares its values and commitment to supporting vulnerable children and young people. This new wraparound service will focus on those at risk of, or currently placed in, high-cost and often distant settings-whether due to mental health or social care needs. It will also address the growing number of children under the age of 13 living in children's homes rather than in family-based care.
To facilitate the procurement process DCC will adopt a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) in order to introduce an element of Negotiation to this process.
Scope of Provision
The proposed service will include:
• 12 small children's homes (2-3 beds each), including one dedicated to children under 13
• 20 specialist high-needs foster carers, with 6-8 focused on under-13s, supported by a dedicated children's home
• 3-4 small therapeutic schools, including at least one for primary-aged children
This integrated model is designed to ensure continuity of care, education, and therapeutic support, enabling better outcomes for some of Devon's most vulnerable children and young people.
Total value (estimated)
- £156,000,000 excluding VAT
- £156,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2036
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
25 August 2025
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
25 September 2025, 12:00pm
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 January 2026
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
To facilitate the procurement process DCC will adopt a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) in order to introduce an element of Negotiation to this process.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
These will be provided via the tendering portal https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/
Contracting authority
Devon County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRC-4623-RJBH
County Hall
Exeter
EX2 4QD
United Kingdom
Contact name: Iain Perkins
Telephone: 01392 383000
Email: iain.perkins@devon.gov.uk
Website: https://www.devon.gov.uk
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government