- Lot 1. Lot A: Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
- Lot 2. Lot B: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
- Lot 3. Lot C: 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
- Lot 4. Lot D: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
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 an open 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
- UKI - London
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Bidders can be awarded onto all lots, there are no restrictions
Lot 1. Lot A: Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
Description
This lot is for the provision of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
Lot value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot B: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
Description
This lot is for the provision of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
Lot value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot C: 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
Description
This lot is for the provision of both supported accommodation and semi-independent accommodation types in order to ensure consistency and continuity of care and relationships for a Young Person
Lot value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 4. Lot D: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
Description
This lot is for the provision of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
Lot value (estimated)
- £15,000,000 excluding VAT
- £18,000,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
19 April 2034
Maximum number of suppliers
100
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Prices provided as part of bidder submissions will be used to allocate work. Placements will be awarded based upon the needs of the young person and the provider that is most suitable to deliver.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot A: Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
Lot 2. Lot B: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
Lot 3. Lot C: 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
Lot 4. Lot D: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
The Authority will use the following to determine Tenderers Economic and Financial Standings and Business Risk Profile
A) Dunn and Bradstreet Report.
Requirements -
"Overall Business Risk" - Rating "Low" or "Low to Medium".
"Failure Score" between "100-51"
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot A: Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
Lot 2. Lot B: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
Lot 3. Lot C: 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
Lot 4. Lot D: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
(a) Does your Organisation (or anyone within the proposed staffing) have the following relevant experience in delivering a service that provides the following support:
• At least two years' experience in providing support to vulnerable children and young people accommodated by children's social care
(b) Is your organisation registered with Ofsted to deliver under: The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) and Quality Standards, if you are planning to deliver supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years?
• If yes, please provide a copy of your registration document with your tender submission.
If you are not planning to deliver supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, please cross 'not applicable' and proceed to question 16 (c)
(c) Does your organisation employ staff (keyworkers) who have a minimum of a QCF/NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Children & Young People) or equivalent, or who are currently working towards this qualification?
(d) Does your organisation employ a Contract Manager/Manager (who will supervise all keyworkers) with a minimum QCF/NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care or equivalent?
You must also provide the following;
• Organisations Standard Policies - Recruitment Policy, Child Protection Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Statement of Purpose, Liability Insurance, Young Persons Guide, Location risk assessment, In Date Gas & Electric Certificates
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot A: Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation
Lot 2. Lot B: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation
Lot 3. Lot C: 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
Lot 4. Lot D: Providers of semi-independent accommodation for Young People that are parents
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
5 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
18 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Response to method statement questions |
Quality | 50% |
| Pricing schedule | Cost of the service |
Cost | 40% |
| Social Value | Social value commitments |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open 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
Email: Procurement@lbbd.gov.uk
Website: http://www.lbbd.gov.uk
Region: UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government