Scope
Reference
DN798414
Description
Nottinghamshire County Council's Children's Placement and Commissioning team are conducting a soft market test exercise to explore the possibility of developing a framework to support assessment placements for children-in-care.
This exercise is designed to gather insights from providers about capacity, appetite, challenges, and innovative approaches to emergency and planned assessment provisions to support the long-term home finding process. It is also an opportunity to shape future commissioning strategies with Nottinghamshire County Council.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031
- 5 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKF15 - North Nottinghamshire
- UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 December 2025
Engagement process description
Provider feedback will help us better understand market conditions, refine our commissioning strategy, and ensure that any potential future framework is informed by provider experience. We value your input and expertise in the market, and welcome open and honest conversations throughout the process. We will share a summary of our findings with all participants, which of course will be anonymised. Following this, we may hold a further provider forum if required.
To reiterate, this is not a procurement exercise but rather a data gathering exercise.
The Soft Market Testing exercise is being carried out on www.eastmidstenders.org - We kindly ask all providers to complete the response form attached to the market engagement exercise on the portal, and submit their responses by Friday 12th December 2025.
Your input is essential in helping us shape a responsive and sustainable emergency and assessment placement framework. Timely submissions will ensure your views are considered as part of our strategic planning and next steps.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Nottinghamshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBCV-5152-BXBP
County Hall, Loughborough Road
Nottingham
NG2 7QP
United Kingdom
Email: samantha.gilbert@nottscc.gov.uk
Website: https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/
Region: UKF16 - South Nottinghamshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government