Scope
Reference
SCC-SMS-0918
Description
1. The Council has a statutory responsibility to provide services to meet the short break and support needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers. The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has a statutory responsibility to provide services that meet the health needs of disabled children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers. The Council has conducted a procurement process to procure provision of registered residential overnight short breaks for children, young people and adults, working in partnership with the ICB to meet statutory responsibilities.
2. The overarching outcomes expected of the services are that:
a) Unpaid carers will be able to continue caring for their child, young person or adult with disabilities in the family home
b) Unpaid carers will be able to provide care more effectively to their child, young person or adult with disabilities.
c) Children, young people and adults with disabilities are supported within the short break environment to have fun and develop their own abilities.
3. It is expected Service Providers will meet needs identified through statutory assessments and work in a person-centred way with disabled children, young people and adults to support them to fulfil their aspirations and promote their wellbeing in relation to:
a) Their physical and mental health.
b) Being protected from abuse and neglect.
c) Taking as much control as possible over their day to day lives, using least restrictive approaches and supporting them to develop their skills and abilities and grow their confidence to realise their full potential.
d) Improving their confidence and emotional wellbeing so that they enjoy life and have positive self identities.
e) Helping them to develop wider social and emotional skills to establish and maintain positive one to one and group relationships outside the family home.
f) Participation in education, employment or training.
g) Strengthening domestic, family and personal relationships.
h) The contribution they make to their community.
i) Providing positive experiences by promoting friendships and by encouraging social activities, new experiences and supportive relationships with carers and peers.
j) Providing culturally appropriate provision that meets the racial, cultural, linguistic and religious needs of the person and their unpaid carers.
k) Using their preferred communication mode at all times.
l) Maximise their independence in preparation for a time when carers cannot continue caring.
4. In addition, it is expected the Services will enable unpaid carers to achieve the outcomes which are important to them, including:
a) Having breaks from their caring responsibilities
b) Being as independent as possible.
c) Being able to participate actively in the community.
d) Being able to access education, employment or training.
e) Being confident that their relative is safe in the short break environment and that they enjoy the experiences.
f) Meeting the needs of other family members more effectively
g) Carrying out day to day tasks which they must perform in order to run their household.
h) Support and continuity for unpaid carers by recognising their needs through flexible planned breaks and emergency backup. On occasions this may include shared care arrangements.
i) Unplanned and short-term support to unpaid carers in crisis or emergency situations.
5. Service Providers will be expected to work alongside children, young people, adults and their unpaid carers in the ongoing shaping and delivery of services and their quality, eventually leading to services being co-produced.
PLEASE NOTE: this procurement is comprised of three (3) Lots. This Notice concerns the award of Lot 1a only. Lots 1b and Lot 2 shall be awarded at a later date.
Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
Description
a. The Council is seeking to appoint a Service Provider to provide overnight residential respite short breaks for adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities as their primary need at Weston Court, a respite setting in the east of Southampton. Short breaks are an important part of the overall support package provided to adults with learning disabilities and their unpaid carers. They allow unpaid carers to have an overnight break from their caring responsibilities as well as individuals to take part in new activities, form and maintain friendships and develop their independence skills.b. In addition to the core overnight element of this Service, Providers may need to provide additional hours of support to individuals. The requirement for this as well as the allocation of overnight residential respite short breaks is based on statutory assessments of need and subject to review.c. The Service is required to be CQC registered to deliver accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care with the relevant specialisms. The Service Provider will ensure equity of access, regularly review quality assurance systems and care and support plans. Individuals and their unpaid carers will be engaged in the development of services. The Service will be expected to operate a core ratio of 1:3 (one staff member to three individuals accessing the service) staffing model. The Service Provider will need to respond flexibly to emerging and unexpected respite requests from unpaid carers to maximise usage and support.d. The Service Provider will be expected to enter into a License to Occupy Agreement with the Council for the Weston Court site, and a draft of this will be shared as part of the tender documentation.
Contract 1. Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
Lots
Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,357,848 excluding VAT
- £1,629,418 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
15 October 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
15 October 2025
Standstill period
- End: 24 October 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 January 2026 to 11 January 2029
- Possible extension to 11 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The term of the contract can be extended for up to a period of two (2) years.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The service is demand led and value will fluctuate based on demand. The estimated value range for this Lot is £1,187,840 - £1,357,848.
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Information about tenders
Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
- 14 tenders received
- 9 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 6 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 8 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Dimensions (UK) Limited
- Mutuals Public Register: 31192R
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVC-1443-BCQH
Dimensions, Ground Floor, Building 1230, Arlington Business Park
Theale
RG74SA
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Lot 1a. Overnight Residential Respite Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities (primary need)
Contracting authority
Southampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCGN-2413-RBTX
Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road
Southampton
SO14 7LY
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government