Award

Independent Fostering Agencies

  • Hampshire County Council

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-084037

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75 (view related notices)

Published 17 December 2025, 4:29pm



Scope

Reference

CS26629

Description

Hampshire County Council's Children Services Directorate is seeking to commission a range of IFA (independent fostering agencies) to support our looked after children cohort.

The new framework will as a minimum include fostering arrangements for;

  • Standard Foster Placements including Respite
  • Parent & Child Foster Placements
  • Children with Complex/Challenging Behaviours
  • Children with Disabilities/Complex Healthcare Needs
  • Separated Children

This list is not exhaustive and the framework will be flexible to capture additional fostering requirements that may emerge.

The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will be open for the initial period as set out in paragraph 4.1. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term.

The Council will run call offs to establish which suppliers can meet the different fostering arrangements before making individual placements to suppliers who have been awarded call off contracts. Further details can be seen in Annex 2 - Framework Overview

Providers who have been accepted onto the Framework and wish to add additional registered branches/offices during the life of the contract can amend and resubmit their Framework questionnaire to include these.

The priority of any arrangements will be to secure Hampshire placements for Hampshire children and Young People to support with their education, training, contact, and in order to maintain other existing support networks such as friends and other family members.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework


Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

Suppliers (20)

Contract value

  • £203,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £203,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

4 December 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

17 December 2025

Earliest date the contract will be signed

8 January 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 9 January 2026 to 7 January 2030
  • Possible extension to 7 January 2034
  • 7 years, 11 months, 30 days

Description of possible extension:

There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month, and a value ex VAT of £ 105,000,000

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract locations

  • UKJ3 - Hampshire and Isle of Wight
  • UKJ - South East (England)

Information about tenders

  • 20 tenders received
  • 20 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 12 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 3 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 20 suppliers awarded contracts
  • 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Suppliers

Action for Children

  • Companies House: 04764232

3 The Boulevard, Ascot Road

Watford

WD18 8AG

United Kingdom

Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

BANYA FAMILY PLACEMENT AGENCY LIMITED

  • Companies House: 03161115

6-7 Croxted Mews 286a-288 Croxted Road

London

SE24 9DA

United Kingdom

Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

BLUE SKY FOSTERING LIMITED

  • Companies House: 05326869

4 Jardine House

Harrow

HA1 3EX

United Kingdom

Region: UKI74 - Harrow and Hillingdon

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

BRIGHTER FUTURES FOSTER CARE LTD

  • Companies House: 06846257

Atria

Bolton

BL1 4AG

United Kingdom

Region: UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

CAPSTONE FOSTER CARE (SOUTH WEST) LIMITED

  • Companies House: 04343716

Unit 2, Greenbox, Westonhall Road,

Stoke Prior Worcestershire,

B60 4AL

United Kingdom

Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

CHILDREN'S FAMILY TRUST(THE)

  • Companies House: 00398875

Hanbury Court Harris Business Park, Hanbury Road

Bromsgrove

B60 4DJ

United Kingdom

Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

COMPASS FOSTERING SOUTH LIMITED

  • Companies House: 08374139

3 Rayns Way

Leicester

LE7 1PF

United Kingdom

Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

Fair Ways Community Benefit Society

  • Mutuals Public Register: 8691

Ground Floor, Building 1000, Western Road

Portsmouth

PO6 3EN

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

FAMILY PLACEMENT.COM LIMITED

  • Companies House: 04307071

Atria

Bolton

BL1 4AG

United Kingdom

Region: UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

FIVE RIVERS CHILD CARE LIMITED

  • Companies House: 04236028

47 Bedwin Street

Salisbury

SP1 3UT

United Kingdom

Region: UKK15 - Wiltshire CC

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES LIMITED

  • Companies House: 04322806

Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior

Bromsgrove

B60 4AD

United Kingdom

Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

FOSTERING SOLUTIONS LIMITED

  • Companies House: 04006225

Atria

Bolton

BL1 4AG

United Kingdom

Region: UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

FUSION FOSTERING LIMITED

  • Companies House: 07819299

Maltravers House

Yeovil

BA20 1SH

United Kingdom

Region: UKK23 - Somerset

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMME

  • Companies House: 02820208

Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior

Bromsgrove

B60 4AD

United Kingdom

Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

LIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITED

  • Companies House: 06803003

Passfield Business Centre Lynchborough Road

Liphook

GU30 7SB

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

LOTUS FOSTER CARE LTD

  • Companies House: 11903013

35 Bedser Drive

Greenford

UB6 0SE

United Kingdom

Region: UKI73 - Ealing

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

ORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE LTD

  • Companies House: 07027421

Malvern View, Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road,

Stoke Prior

B60 4AD

United Kingdom

Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

SUNBEAM FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITED

  • Companies House: 03948662

Sunbeam House 12 Waterside Drive

Slough

SL3 6EZ

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ11 - Berkshire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

The Adolescent & Children's Trust

  • Companies House: 2779751

98 Station Road

Sidcup

DA15 7BY

United Kingdom

Region: UKI51 - Bexley and Greenwich

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies

THE NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITED

  • Companies House: 03127814

Atria, Spa Road

Bolton

BL1 4AG

United Kingdom

Region: UKD36 - Greater Manchester North West

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Independent Fostering Agencies


Contracting authority

Hampshire County Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHM-7586-PWLP

High St, The Castle

Winchester

SO23 8UJ

United Kingdom

Contact name: Strategic Procurement

Email: strategic.procurement@hants.gov.uk

Website: https://www.hants.gov.uk

Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government