Scope
Reference
CP2706-25
Description
Devon County Council is inviting SME providers to participate in a market engagement event to help shape the procurement of a strategic partner for the delivery of:
• Children's homes
• High needs foster care
• Associated therapeutic education
This strategic partnership approach-rather than traditional block contracting-will enable greater flexibility and responsiveness to evolving needs. It aims to offer children and young people more adaptable, blended care options tailored to their individual circumstances.
By fully integrating this provision with existing council children's services, DCC seeks to better support children and young people with the most complex needs. The goal is to provide stable homes within Devon, alongside consistent access to education from childhood through to adulthood, helping them 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 in, high-cost and often distant placements-whether due to mental health or social care needs. It will also address the increasing number of children under 13 living in children's homes rather than family settings.
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:
• 12 small children's homes (2-3 beds each), including one dedicated to children under 13
• 20 specialist high needs foster carers (6-8 focused on under-13s, supported by a dedicated children's home)
• 3-4 small therapeutic schools, including one for primary-aged children
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
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Engagement
Engagement deadline
31 July 2025
Engagement process description
Devon County Council wishes to undertake a virtual Preliminary market engagement in order to better appreciate and understand the market for this service and ensure it can produce a specification, tender process and final contract as attractive as possible to potential suppliers.
Market Engagement Event Details:
Date: 23rd July 2025
Time: 09:00 - 10:00am
Location: Online via Microsoft Teams
To register: Suppliers wishing to attend the event are required to complete the following form to express their interest.
Alternatively, if this link does not work please email procurementpeople-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Please note, the form is to be completed and submitted not later than 14:00pm, 22nd July 2025. The Authority will send an invite link to all suppliers who have submitted the form.
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
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Devon County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRC-4623-RJBH
County Hall, The Annexe
Exeter
EX2 4QD
United Kingdom
Contact name: Iain Perkins
Telephone: +441392383000
Email: iain.perkins@devon.gov.uk
Website: https://www.devon.gov.uk
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government