Scope
Description
Cross Regional contract on behalf of Councils Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Reading, Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire to offer residential and educational provision for Children We Care For (CWCF) with complex social, behavioural and educational needs.
Cross Regional Project (CRP) delivers therapeutic residential care and educational services for children aged 11-17 with complex needs, operating across 11 homes in partner counties offering 36 placements.
A registered special school, commissioned under a block contract, provides education for pupils aged 11-17-including those without EHCPs-across Key Stages 3 to 5.
The new service will launch on August 1, 2027, starting with 36 placements and potentially expanding by 24 more. After six months, partners can buy extra placements at any time during the contract.
Total value (estimated)
- £172,000,000 excluding VAT
- £206,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2032
- Possible extension to 31 July 2037
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKH2 - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
19 December 2025
Engagement process description
This is a preliminary market to seek views from potential providers on how best to deliver Cross Regional Project that offers residential, educational and therapeutic services for children aged 11 to 17 inclusive with complex needs.
To partake in this preliminary market engagement, potential providers can register on and access the Council's e-tendering system - Proactis on: https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=16101b29-4acc-f011-813a-005056b64545 then clicking on the "Opportunities" tile to search for the pre-market engagement project (reference:DN798997).
A preliminary market engagement questionnaire will be available on this project for providers to download and respond to by the end of Friday 19th December 2025.
Please note that any commercially sensitive information supplied by providers will be stored confidentially and will not be disclosed to any third party.
Also note that this is neither a call for competition nor a procurement exercise.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
5 February 2026
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Oxfordshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZNW-8281-MHNM
County Hall
Oxford
OX1 1ND
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ms Priscilla Opare Mintah
Email: Startwellprocurement@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Website: http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government