Award

project_7478 - The Fosterline Service 2023

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

20 Oct 2025 at 08:07

Award

12 Jul 2023 at 13:17

TenderUpdate

16 Mar 2023 at 10:22

Tender

01 Mar 2023 at 15:41

Planning

13 Dec 2022 at 16:21

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is overseeing the procurement process for the "Fosterline Service 2023," focusing on providing call centre and technical support services. This service, aimed at supporting current and prospective foster carers, has been active since 2006 and is expected to run until 30th June 2026 following a compliant extension. The procurement method employed is an open procedure, ensuring transparency and accessibility for a diverse range of suppliers. Key dates included an initial submission deadline on 29th March 2023, with the contract awarded in July 2023 to The Fostering Network. The project is located in the United Kingdom, with the primary industry category being services, specifically under the CPV classification for call centre and technical support services.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in call centre management, technical support, and services related to foster care. Organisations with experience in offering advice and support services, particularly those geared towards family and social care sectors, would be well-suited to engage in this contract. SMEs and larger corporate entities with expertise in service delivery to vulnerable groups could leverage this opportunity to expand their portfolios. The Department for Education seeks to improve service delivery, making it essential for interested businesses to demonstrate capability in managing large-scale, technically complex, and socially impactful services.

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Notice Title

project_7478 - The Fosterline Service 2023

Notice Description

PCR Compliant extension to the Fosterline Service awarded 2023

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Fosterline Service is a free, independent national advice service that offers support for both current and prospective foster carers. It has been in place since 2006, funded by the Department of Education. During that time, the Department also increased the scope of Fosterline from responding to ad hoc enquiries to offering individualised ongoing services for current or prospective foster carers requiring help with ongoing issues or detailed tax and benefits advice. The services aim to support foster families to stay together during times of crisis, reducing placement breakdown, and avoiding costs associated with this. The current service is widely used, with over 108,000 contacts (through the helpline service, 1-2-1s, web-chats, emails, website visits etc )in the year 2021-22.

Renewal: This service contract has an option for a 1 year extension from the period of 1/10/25-30/9/26.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-038d24
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066559-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

72253000 - Helpdesk and support services

79512000 - Call centre

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£352,016 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£704,026 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Mar 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Mar 2022Expired
Award Date
10 Jul 20232 years ago
Contract Period
30 Sep 2023 - 30 Sep 2025 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
emily.battye@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE FOSTERING NETWORK

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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