Planning

25075 Childrens fostering / residential framework

CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 Jan 2026 at 14:09

PlanningUpdate

05 Jan 2026 at 15:40

Planning

05 Dec 2025 at 09:25

Planning

16 May 2025 at 10:21

Summary of the contracting process

Cambridgeshire County Council, representing a collaborative partnership under Commission East, is leading a public procurement process aimed at establishing a regional framework for Children's Fostering and Residential services within the Eastern Region, UK. The initiative falls under the Health and Social Work Services category and is currently in the planning stage, with market engagement activities scheduled for January 28, 2026. The framework agreement will start on April 1, 2027, and run until March 31, 2032, with a possibility of extension. The procurement process follows a 'light touch' regime and falls above the threshold level, with provisions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) to participate.

This procurement presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in residential care and fostering services, particularly those capable of co-designing innovative solutions alongside local authorities. Providers looking to engage in this framework will benefit from an environment that encourages shared learning and dynamic service improvement across the region. SMEs and VCSEs are especially encouraged to take part, leveraging the framework's aim of fostering collaboration and innovation. This creates an ideal opportunity for businesses aiming to expand their footprint within public sector service delivery in the UK.

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Notice Title

25075 Childrens fostering / residential framework

Notice Description

Cambridgeshire County Council is part of Commission East, which is a partnership of all 11 Local Authorities in the Eastern Region. Our aim is to create a unified regional voice and foster genuine collaboration with providers. As part of this approach, we intend to co-design and implement a regional framework for Residential and Fostering services. You can find out more information and contact details for Commission East here: https://improvementeast.org.uk/commission-east/ Our intention is to: - Build a transparent, co-produced regional commissioning framework - Share learning and good practice across the region and beyond - Create a culture of innovation and co-design to develop a responsive care system

Planning Information

The first market engagement event will be on 28 January 2026 online: 11:30 - 12:45 - Fostering 13:00 - 14:15 - Residential You are welcome to join both calls or simply attend the one most relevant to you. This will be an opportunity to learn about, and help shape, the commissioning of fostering and children's residential homes with Eastern Region Local Authorities. For more information about the project and engagement sessions please get in touch with Commission East via their Contact Us page: https://improvementeast.org.uk/contact-us/ Or email: easternregioncib@norfolk.gov.uk

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051592
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004865-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£315,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
childrenscommissioningteam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
ALCONBURY WEALD, HUNTINGDON
Postcode
PE28 4YE
Post Town
Peterborough
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH4 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH42 Cambridgeshire CC
Delivery Location
TLH East (England), TLH1 East Anglia, TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC

Local Authority
Huntingdonshire
Electoral Ward
The Stukeleys
Westminster Constituency
Huntingdon

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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