Ofsted registered supported accommodation for 16/17-year-olds, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)

Suffolk County Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

10 Jun 2026 at 15:31

PlanningUpdate

05 May 2026 at 09:48

Planning

16 May 2025 at 12:51

Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is set to initiate a procurement process for the provision of Ofsted registered supported accommodation services for 16 and 17-year-olds, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), and accommodation for 18+ UASC care leavers without leave to remain. This major procurement falls under the health and social work services industry category, with an anticipated contract value of £40,000,000 and gross value of £48,000,000. The contract, identified as ITS334, will cover services in the UKH14 region in the United Kingdom. Currently in the planning stage, the procurement process is engaging the market to align with new Ofsted regulations, aiming for open tender by the end of August 2026. Key dates include a preliminary market engagement event scheduled for 10th July 2026, with market engagement submissions due by 30th June 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses experienced in providing specialist accommodation services for young people, particularly those capable of meeting stringent Ofsted standards. Organisations such as SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and VCSEs (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises) that can deliver high-quality, regulated care may find this a lucrative and impactful contract opportunity. By participating, businesses have the chance to establish a strategic partnership with Suffolk County Council, enhancing service offerings and expanding their footprint in the public sector service provision. This contract not only offers financial growth but also contributes to improved outcomes for vulnerable youth populations within the region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Ofsted registered supported accommodation for 16/17-year-olds, including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC)

Notice Description

The service will provide Ofsted registered supported accommodation services for young people aged 16 and 17 years old including UASC young people. The service will also provide accommodation for 18+ UASC care leavers who do not have leave to remain on their 18th birthday.

Planning Information

Suffolk County Council are undertaking market engagement with the aim of developing our requirements and approach to the procurement and preparing the tender notice and associated tender documents. We are also looking to identify suppliers who are able to supply Ofsted regulated services. We aim to align the new Ofsted regulations/standards within the contract documentation for this service, to ensure the best outcomes for young people living with these providers. To facilitate this, interested parties are encouraged to complete the following questionnaire no later than 30th June 2026: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7GqcEEZQlUqPPIT2O6GK9IbxYf7BzmVMu5vfTVycLWBUOUxINVcyWTBFWEpVTURaTEs3RlVVSVlaRiQlQCN0PWcu The responses will then be reviewed and used to help develop our thinking ahead of an online preliminary market engagement event at 1pm on Friday 10th July 2026. To request an invite to this event, please write to CYPContractsMailbox@suffolk.gov.uk in advance, quoting reference no. ITS334

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0515c8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054850-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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
£40,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
21 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 28 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Suffolk County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Postcode Area
Ipswich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC

Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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