{ "uri": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-059695?limit=100&updatedTo=2026-11-10T22:14:07", "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json" ], "publishedDate": "2025-10-20T17:07:24+01:00", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "releases": [ { "id": "066873-2025", "tag": [ "planningUpdate" ], "date": "2025-10-20T17:07:24+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "parties": [ { "name": "Department for Education", "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street", "locality": "London", "postalCode": "SW1P3BT", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKI32" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "name": "Department for Education" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "How to engage \nThe Department for Education held a market engagement webinar via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 1st October 2025, which ran for approximately 1 hour, 11am - 12pm. We can provide the presentation and Q&A log (details of how to contact us are below). \nFollowing the webinar, a Microsoft Forms questionnaire for organisations was sent out sent out via Jaggaer (the department’s e-sourcing system). This questionnaire closed on Thursday 9th October. \nThe Department's next steps- One to one sessions\nFollowing a review of the questionnaire, we are planning to hold one to one virtual meetings with organisations interested in fulfilling the SIF role for further discussions. We aim to conclude all meetings by the end of November/December 2025. These discussions will be formally structured with notes taken to ensure transparency and fair treatment of all interested participants. \nFor organisations who already indicated their interest in engaging with us in a one to one session, you do not need to do anything further at this stage aside from noting the changes in this updated Notice (pertaining to how the SIF remit may expand to supporting the recruitment and retention of foster carers). \nFor organisations who have not engaged with us to date, should this potential opportunity be of interest and you self-assess as potentially able to act as an SIF on behalf of the Department, please contact us using the email below or through the Jaggaer portal following the instructions below, by no later than Thursday 23rd October to gain access to the questionnaire. The questionnaire will be reopened for a short period and closed on Friday 24th October, 23.45.\nThere are several ways to participate in this opportunity and register your organisation’s interest in ongoing participation: \nIf your organisation is already registered on Jaggaer:\n1. Please link through to project_10032/ssq_625. You will find a copy of the Q&A log and Webinar presentation in the Data Room. We recommend you read this first before contacting us.\n2. If you are interested in participating in a one-to-one session to talk to us about your SIF capability and experience, please message us via the Jaggaer portal, ensuring you provide full names, job titles and email addresses. We will then provide you access to access the questionnaire. \nIf your organisation is not registered on Jaggaer:\n1. Please contact us at Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk, stating your organisation name, full names, job titles and email addresses of representatives and request the presentation, Q&A log and access to the questionnaire. \nWhere your organisation is not registered on Jaggaer, you can set up an account for future engagement sessions in relation to this project by viewing the “Current Opportunities” page at Jaggaer https://education.app.jaggaer.com and searching for: project_10032. \nAll future communications with DfE in respect of additional market engagement will be held via Jaggaer. \nOnce you have located project_10032, please confirm your interest by selecting “Intend to Respond” and “Submit” to receive full access to the opportunity. All relevant documentation will be made available in the Data Room. \nAll organisations who have expressed an interest in this opportunity, including those who were unaware of, or unable to attend the webinar, will have access to relevant information and any supporting notes which will be made available via the Data Room within project_10032 at https://education.app.jaggaer.com/. This will include any questions or clarifications sent via the email address that would benefit all interested in the future communications.", "dueDate": "2025-11-14T23:59:59+00:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "066873-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066873-2025", "datePublished": "2025-10-20T17:07:24+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Diversification of Children’s Social Care Market - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice (updated 20 October 2025)", "description": "Please note: \nThis PME amendment does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education (DfE). If DfE decides to commence any procurement process subject to the Procurement Act 2023 as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time. This Notice has also been appended to Find a Grant.\nThe Purpose \nA Preliminary Market Engagement event has been undertaken to refine DfE’s requirements and better understand the capacity and capability of potential partners to deliver a Social Investment Vehicle (SIV) to facilitate the entry of new providers into the children’s social care placements market, particularly to increase the number of foster care placements. We refer to any future potential partner as a \"Social Investment Facilitator\" (SIF). \nThe Department’s initial thinking was that the purpose of the SIV would be to blend public and social finance to enable capital investment in new or re-entering regulated providers. We are sending this clarification document to ensure that the market is clear that the Department is interested in exploring how a SIF could be used to support the reform of the children's social care placements market, and as part of that how a SIF could support the recruitment and retention of foster carers. Thank you to those who have participated in the first event, the presentation and Q&A is available for any entrants who wish to join the ongoing market engagement at this time. \nThe DfE is exploring options as to how it can make best use of public funding to reform the children’s social care market to ensure that children’s needs are being met at a sustainable cost. A route DfE is considering is a proposed new model of investment which would enable us to work alongside social investors. This would enable us to diversify the market by investing in new local authority, charity or other third sector provision where it is most needed, allowing government investment to leverage a greater overall budget. \nFunding model options and eligibility \nOrganisations interested in acting as SIF should note that the DfE is still exploring options for the contractual funding model (whether under a grant or public contract), should the DfE decide to proceed with the project. It is therefore not yet clear whether this pre-market engagement will require further notices on the central digital platform or not, but PME is voluntarily being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 in the event that it should later be deemed to apply. \nWithin the last year, DfE has undertaken a range of desk-based research into potential funding models which would help us achieve our goals, as well as engaging with the DfE’s Market Interventions Advisory Group. As a result of a range of informal conversations with several operators in the social investment sector, the Department is considering a model involving the creation of a Children’s Social Care Social Investment Vehicle (CSC SIV) and would like to share the considerations to date with a wider market. \nUnder this model, DfE would engage a SIF to administer the CSC SIV which would then contribute funding on their own account and secure additional funding from social investors. Our ambition is that by working with social investors, we will be able to increase the funding available by a minimum multiplier of 2-4. \nEligible organisations, which may include charities and local authorities, could then bid for funding from the CSC SIV to implement policy interventions agreed to likely increase the number of fostering placements in England. This model could be either national or regional, and will appeal to SIF who can bring in investment to build capacity in the fostering sector and connected spaces.", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66100000", "description": "Banking and investment services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66120000", "description": "Investment banking services and related services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85311300", "description": "Welfare services for children and young people" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66171000", "description": "Financial consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "79412000", "description": "Financial management consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85000000", "description": "Health and social work services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85322000", "description": "Community action programme" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "98000000", "description": "Other community, social and personal services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKC", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKD", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKF", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKG", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKJ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKK", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKI", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKE", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "status": "planning" } ], "amendments": [ { "description": "Scope and Participation details updated", "id": "066873-2025" } ], "status": "planning" }, "language": "en" }, { "id": "055041-2025", "tag": [ "planningUpdate" ], "date": "2025-09-09T14:11:57+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "parties": [ { "name": "Department for Education", "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street", "locality": "London", "postalCode": "SW1P3BT", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKI32" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "name": "Department for Education" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "The Department for Education is holding a market engagement webinar via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 1st October 2025 which will run for approximately 1 hour, 11am – 12pm. Following the webinar, a Microsoft Forms questionnaire for organisations to respond to will be sent out via Jaggaer (the department’s e-sourcing system). \nThere are several ways to participate in this opportunity and register your organisation’s interest in attending the webinar: \nFor organisations registered on Jaggaer: \n1. If you are already registered on Jaggaer, please link through to project_10032 or ssq_625. \n2. Please ensure full names, job titles and email addresses are provided via Jaggaer for those who wish to attend. \nFor organisations not registered on Jaggaer:\n1. We aim to ensure all relevant organisations have the opportunity to participate and have contacted organisations we are currently aware of who are not registered on Jaggaer. If your organisation has not received an invitation, please email Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk, stating your organisation name, names of attendees and job titles. We will send a Microsoft Teams invite directly to you with the joining instructions. \nFor organisations who wish to register on Jaggaer:\n1. If you are not registered on Jaggaer and would like to set up an account for this engagement session, please view the “current opportunities” page at Jaggaer https://education.app.jaggaer.com and search for: project_10032 or ssq_625. This is not necessary for this engagement but please note that all future communications with DfE, including access to the post-webinar questionnaire and all additional market engagement activities will be held via Jaggaer. \nOnce you have located project_10032 / ssq_625, please confirm your interest by selecting “Intend to Respond” and “Submit” to receive full access to the opportunity. All relevant documentation will be made available in the Data Room. \nAll organisations who have expressed an interest in this opportunity, including those who are unable to attend the webinar, will have access to relevant information and any supporting notes which will be made available via the Data Room within project_10032 /ssq_625 at https://education.app.jaggaer.com/. This will include any questions or clarifications sent via email that would benefit all interested in the event. \nOne to one sessions\nFollowing review of the post-webinar questionnaire we plan to hold one to one with organisations interested in fulfilling the Social Investment Facilitator role for further discussions. We would aim to conclude all meetings by the end of November 2025. These discussions will be formally structured with notes taken to ensure transparency and fair treatment of all interested participants. Should this be of interest please indicate desire to attend on the questionnaire.", "dueDate": "2025-11-14T23:59:59+00:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "055041-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055041-2025", "datePublished": "2025-09-09T14:11:57+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Diversification of Children’s Social Care Market - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice", "description": "Please note: \nThis PME does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education (DfE). If DfE decides to commence any procurement process subject to the Procurement Act 2023 as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time. This Notice has also been advertised on Find a Grant. \nThe DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations subject to confirmation of a competitive tender process.\nThe Purpose \nA Preliminary Market Engagement event is being undertaken to refine DfE’s requirements and better understand the capacity and capability of potential partners to deliver a Social Investment Vehicle (SIV) to facilitate the entry of new providers into the children’s social care placements market. We refer to any future potential partner as a \"Social Investment Facilitator\" (SIF). The SIV would blend public and social finance to enable capital investment in new or re-entering regulated providers, with a focus on Ofsted-registered children’s homes. \nDuring the event we will talk through the requirements in more detail and our journey thus far in developing our SIF option. \nBackground \nChildren’s homes provide care for some of the most vulnerable children in our society. However, we know that the current children’s social care placements market, of which children’s homes are a key part, has been described as ‘dysfunctional’. There is a significant regional imbalance in the availability of children’s homes, resulting in many children being placed outside their local area. This not only negatively impacts the children but also leads to high costs for Local Authorities (LAs). \nThe DfE is exploring options as to how it can make best use of public funding to: \n(a) improve children’s outcomes and meet the needs of LAs and looked after children by increasing capacity where it is most needed; \n(b) provide LAs greater choice over where to place the children in their care; and \n(c) boost market sustainability. \nA route DfE is considering is a proposed new model of investment which would enable us to work alongside social investors. This would enable us to diversify the market by investing in new local authority, charity or other third sector provision where it is most needed, allowing government investment to leverage a greater overall budget. \nFunding model options and eligibility \nOrganisations interested in acting as SIF should note that the DfE is still exploring options for the contractual funding model (whether under a grant or public contract), should the DfE decide to proceed with the project. It is therefore not yet clear whether this pre-market engagement will require further notices on the central digital platform or not but PME is voluntarily being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 in the event that it should later be deemed to apply. \nWithin the last year, DfE has undertaken a range of desk-based research into potential funding models which would help us achieve our goals, as well as engaging with the DfE’s Market Interventions Advisory Group. As a result of a range of informal conversations with several operators in the social investment sector, the Department is considering a model involving the creation of a Children’s Social Care Social Investment Vehicle (CSC SIV) and would like to share the considerations to date with a wider market. \nUnder this model, DfE would engage a SIF to administer the CSC SIV which would then contribute funding on their own account and secure additional funding from social investors. It is intended that by working with social investors, we will be able to increase the funding available by a multiplier of 2-4. \nEligible organisations, which may include charities and local authorities, could then bid for funding from the CSC SIV. We intend for this model to operate on a regional basis, targeting areas where there are placement shortages. The SIF would be responsible for management of the CSC SIV and the disbursement of funding to eligible organisations.", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66100000", "description": "Banking and investment services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66120000", "description": "Investment banking services and related services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85311300", "description": "Welfare services for children and young people" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66171000", "description": "Financial consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "79412000", "description": "Financial management consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85000000", "description": "Health and social work services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85322000", "description": "Community action programme" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "98000000", "description": "Other community, social and personal services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKC", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKD", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKF", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKG", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKJ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKK", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKI", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKE", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "status": "planning" } ], "amendments": [ { "description": "SSQ number updated.", "id": "055041-2025" } ], "status": "planning" }, "language": "en" }, { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "id": "054970-2025", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2025-09-09T12:11:49+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "name": "Department for Education", "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street", "locality": "London", "postalCode": "SW1P3BT", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKI32" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD", "name": "Department for Education" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "The Department for Education is holding a market engagement webinar via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 1st October 2025 which will run for approximately 1 hour, 11am – 12pm. Following the webinar, a Microsoft Forms questionnaire for organisations to respond to will be sent out via Jaggaer (the department’s e-sourcing system). \nThere are several ways to participate in this opportunity and register your organisation’s interest in attending the webinar: \nFor organisations registered on Jaggaer: \n1. If you are already registered on Jaggaer, please link through to project_10032 or ssq_563. \n2. Please ensure full names, job titles and email addresses are provided via Jaggaer for those who wish to attend. \nFor organisations not registered on Jaggaer:\n1. We aim to ensure all relevant organisations have the opportunity to participate and have contacted organisations we are currently aware of who are not registered on Jaggaer. If your organisation has not received an invitation, please email Families.COMMERCIALDELIVERY@education.gov.uk, stating your organisation name, names of attendees and job titles. We will send a Microsoft Teams invite directly to you with the joining instructions. \nFor organisations who wish to register on Jaggaer:\n1. If you are not registered on Jaggaer and would like to set up an account for this engagement session, please view the “current opportunities” page at Jaggaer https://education.app.jaggaer.com and search for: project_10032 or ssq_563.” This is not necessary for this engagement but please note that all future communications with DfE, including access to the post-webinar questionnaire and all additional market engagement activities will be held via Jaggaer. \nOnce you have located project_10032 / ssq_563., please confirm your interest by selecting “Intend to Respond” and “Submit” to receive full access to the opportunity. All relevant documentation will be made available in the Data Room. \nAll organisations who have expressed an interest in this opportunity, including those who are unable to attend the webinar, will have access to relevant information and any supporting notes which will be made available via the Data Room within project_10032 /ssq_563 at https://education.app.jaggaer.com/. This will include any questions or clarifications sent via email that would benefit all interested in the event. \nOne to one sessions\nFollowing review of the post-webinar questionnaire we plan to hold one to one with organisations interested in fulfilling the Social Investment Facilitator role for further discussions. We would aim to conclude all meetings by the end of November 2025. These discussions will be formally structured with notes taken to ensure transparency and fair treatment of all interested participants. Should this be of interest please indicate desire to attend on the questionnaire.", "dueDate": "2025-11-14T23:59:59+00:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "054970-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054970-2025", "datePublished": "2025-09-09T12:11:49+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-059695", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Diversification of Children’s Social Care Market - Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice", "description": "Please note: \nThis PME does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education (DfE). If DfE decides to commence any procurement process subject to the Procurement Act 2023 as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time. This Notice has also been advertised on Find a Grant. \nThe DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will also be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations subject to confirmation of a competitive tender process.\nThe Purpose \nA Preliminary Market Engagement event is being undertaken to refine DfE’s requirements and better understand the capacity and capability of potential partners to deliver a Social Investment Vehicle (SIV) to facilitate the entry of new providers into the children’s social care placements market. We refer to any future potential partner as a \"Social Investment Facilitator\" (SIF). The SIV would blend public and social finance to enable capital investment in new or re-entering regulated providers, with a focus on Ofsted-registered children’s homes. \nDuring the event we will talk through the requirements in more detail and our journey thus far in developing our SIF option. \nBackground \nChildren’s homes provide care for some of the most vulnerable children in our society. However, we know that the current children’s social care placements market, of which children’s homes are a key part, has been described as ‘dysfunctional’. There is a significant regional imbalance in the availability of children’s homes, resulting in many children being placed outside their local area. This not only negatively impacts the children but also leads to high costs for Local Authorities (LAs). \nThe DfE is exploring options as to how it can make best use of public funding to: \n(a) improve children’s outcomes and meet the needs of LAs and looked after children by increasing capacity where it is most needed; \n(b) provide LAs greater choice over where to place the children in their care; and \n(c) boost market sustainability. \nA route DfE is considering is a proposed new model of investment which would enable us to work alongside social investors. This would enable us to diversify the market by investing in new local authority, charity or other third sector provision where it is most needed, allowing government investment to leverage a greater overall budget. \nFunding model options and eligibility \nOrganisations interested in acting as SIF should note that the DfE is still exploring options for the contractual funding model (whether under a grant or public contract), should the DfE decide to proceed with the project. It is therefore not yet clear whether this pre-market engagement will require further notices on the central digital platform or not but PME is voluntarily being conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 in the event that it should later be deemed to apply. \nWithin the last year, DfE has undertaken a range of desk-based research into potential funding models which would help us achieve our goals, as well as engaging with the DfE’s Market Interventions Advisory Group. As a result of a range of informal conversations with several operators in the social investment sector, the Department is considering a model involving the creation of a Children’s Social Care Social Investment Vehicle (CSC SIV) and would like to share the considerations to date with a wider market. \nUnder this model, DfE would engage a SIF to administer the CSC SIV which would then contribute funding on their own account and secure additional funding from social investors. It is intended that by working with social investors, we will be able to increase the funding available by a multiplier of 2-4. \nEligible organisations, which may include charities and local authorities, could then bid for funding from the CSC SIV. We intend for this model to operate on a regional basis, targeting areas where there are placement shortages. The SIF would be responsible for management of the CSC SIV and the disbursement of funding to eligible organisations.", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66100000", "description": "Banking and investment services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66120000", "description": "Investment banking services and related services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85311300", "description": "Welfare services for children and young people" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "66171000", "description": "Financial consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "79412000", "description": "Financial management consultancy services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85000000", "description": "Health and social work services" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "85322000", "description": "Community action programme" }, { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "98000000", "description": "Other community, social and personal services" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UKC", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKD", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKF", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKG", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKJ", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKK", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKI", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" }, { "region": "UKE", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "mainProcurementCategory": "services", "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "status": "planning" } ], "status": "planning" }, "language": "en" } ] }