Scope
Description
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient, good quality and safe provision for the young people in its care in accordance with Section 22G of the Children Act 1989. The Council is advertising to seek tenders from suitably experienced and qualified organisations to join our new open framework of providers for the provision of Young People's Supported and Semi-Independent Accommodation and Support Services, for our looked-after young people aged 16 and older (up to a maximum age of 25).
The aim of the Open Framework is to establish a range of placement provisions that best meet the individual needs of our looked-after young people, acknowledging that these needs are often ongoing. The Open Framework will be composed of four (4) lots and will seek providers as follows:
Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation;
Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation;
Providers of both supported accommodation and semi-independent accommodation types in order to ensure consistency and continuity of care and relationships for a Young Person; and
Providers of both supported accommodation (OFSTED regulations) and semi-independent accommodation types in order to ensure consistency and continuity of care and relationships for Young People that are parents.
The new framework is expected to run for a period of eight (8) years commencing on Monday 20th April 2026. Entry on to the framework will be based on providers meeting the necessary quality standards. Contracts will be awarded based on the individual needs of our young people. This will be an Open Framework, as defined under the new Procurement Act 2023, which provides for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms at regular periods.
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham's Commissioning team is planning on reopening the Framework within two years of the original day of award and then in two-yearly cycles, up to the eighth year of the original day of award, in line with the new regulations.
To achieve our vision, we will need to work with contractors who can demonstrate specific experience for this specialist area of work. Organisations who wish to express an interest must:
Have within the Organisation (or anyone within the proposed staffing), at least two years' experience in providing support to vulnerable children and young people accommodated by children's social care
Be registered with Ofsted to deliver under: The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) and Quality Standards, if they are planning to deliver supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years
Employ staff (keyworkers) who have a minimum of a QCF/NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Children & Young People) or equivalent
Employ a Contract Manager/Manager (who will supervise all keyworkers) with a minimum QCF/NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
The Framework Contracts will have no minimum value, nor will any commitment to expenditure by the Council be stipulated within the contract itself. Expenditure will only be incurred when placements are made. The estimated value of the eight-year framework will be approximately £50 million based on the Council's current spend; however, the Council has no obligation to spend through the framework.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £50,000,000 excluding VAT
- £60,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 20 April 2026 to 19 April 2034
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Engagement
Engagement deadline
16 October 2025
Engagement process description
We are hosting a Market Engagement Event on Thursday 16th October 2025 from 10-11.30am, on Microsoft Teams. We encourage suppliers to attend, as this will give you an opportunity to find out more about the open framework and the procurement process, including a question-and-answer session.
If you would like to attend, please contact Claudia.Wakefield@lbbd.gov.uk for the Microsoft Teams link.
The tender is due to be published on our online portal Bravo on or around Wednesday 29th October 2025. Please follow the link below to register on the portal.
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham eTendering portal (https://lbbd.bravosolution.co.uk)
Please contact: Claudia.Wakefield@lbbd.gov.uk or Valerie.Tomlinson@lbbd.gov.uk with any queries ahead of publication.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
29 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPYP-9821-RZGJ
Town Hall
Barking
IG11 7LU
United Kingdom
Region: UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government