Scope
Reference
I-45300
Description
West Sussex County Council invites existing and prospective children's home providers to take part in an online market engagement session on Wednesday 23rd October 2025 at 10:00 - 12:00 as we continue to develop the Children's Home Collaborative project. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not the start of a procurement procedure, nor a call for expressions of interest. The session will set out our vision for the Children's Home Collaborative, provide information on our commissioning approach and indicative timescales, and explain how the principles of the Procurement Act 2023 will underpin the process. It will also be an opportunity for providers to share insight on service models, market capacity, and challenges, and to discuss how we can work together to deliver local, safe, high-quality, and sustainable residential care for children and young people. The session will be of particular interest to Ofsted-registered providers, organisations considering opening new children's homes, and wider stakeholders who want to support residential care in West Sussex and the surrounding area. How to register: To confirm your attendance, please email Childrens.Home.Collaborative@westsussex.gov.uk with your name, role, organisation, and whether your service currently operates children's homes in West Sussex. Joining details will be shared following registration. Participation in this event will not give any advantage or disadvantage in future procurement activity. Any opportunities will be advertised separately in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £79,000,000 excluding VAT
- £79,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 24 April 2026 to 23 April 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2035
- 8 years, 11 months, 7 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Engagement
Engagement deadline
23 October 2025
Engagement process description
Online event Wednesday 23rd October 2025 at 10:00 - 12:00. To receive the diary invite, please email Childrens.Home.Collaborative@westsussex.gov.uk with your name, role, organisation, and whether your service currently operates children's homes in West Sussex.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
2 December 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
West Sussex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXJW-5627-QRQR
County Hall
Chichester
PO19 1RG
United Kingdom
Contact name: Daiga Allen
Email: bsdprocurement@westsussex.gov.uk
Website: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk
Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government