Planning

Gloucestershire County Council - Market Engagement - Short Breaks

GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

05 Jan 2026 at 15:03

Planning

28 Aug 2025 at 13:32

Summary of the contracting process

Gloucestershire County Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process related to the provision of Short Breaks services for children and young people with disabilities and their families. The initiative, titled "Market Engagement - Short Breaks," falls under the Health and Social Work Services industry category. Taking place in Gloucester, UK, the engagement phase aims to understand provider perspectives and improve market conditions. The engagement activities, such as focus groups, will be held starting from January to February 2026 at Shire Hall, Gloucester. The procurement uses a light-touch regime with a framework agreement technique and is scheduled to open formally by July 2026, valued at approximately £4,800,000 over a potential contract period extending from April 2027 to March 2032, with possibilities for renewal.

This tender provides significant business growth opportunities, especially for SMEs and VCSEs that specialise in health and social work services. There is a focus on creating a commercially viable commissioning model, allowing innovative firms to contribute to shaping the future of these essential services. Businesses with expertise in service delivery for those with disabilities would be well-suited to compete, particularly if they can offer insights into transport, inclusion, transitions, and complex care solutions. The engagement period invites participation from interested providers to discuss and influence the re-tendering process, offering an excellent opportunity for companies to align their offerings with current market needs and secure a role in this critical public service sector.

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Notice Title

Gloucestershire County Council - Market Engagement - Short Breaks

Notice Description

Gloucestershire County Council is seeking to engage with the market regarding the future provision of Short Breaks services for children and young people with disabilities and their families. As part of our engagement for the re-commissioning of Short Breaks, we'll be hosting a series of Focus Group sessions. If you would like to attend one of the focus groups, please email Paul.Cooke@gloucestershire.gov.uk to book a place. There are limited spaces and we ask that only one person from each organisation books on. Focus Groups Sessions: Thursday, 29th January: 14:00 - 15:30 - Theme: Transport - Venue: Shire Hall, Gloucester Monday, 2nd February: 13:00 - 14:30 - Theme Inclusion - Venue: Shire Hall, Gloucester Thursday, 5th February: 10:00 - 11:30 - Theme Transitions - Venue: Shire Hall, Gloucester Tuesday, 10th February: 9:00 -10:30 - Theme Complex Care - Venue: Shire Hall, Gloucester

Planning Information

Understand provider perspectives on short breaks. Ensure alignment with current market conditions and improve the short break market. Shape a deliverable and commercially realistic commissioning model to re-tender. Engagement Approach: The engagement window will run from July 2025 to July 2026. Activities will include: Structured feedback from providers, including surveys, drop in sessions, forums, one-to-one provider discussions, focus groups and open invitation to providers interested in short breaks.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058f73
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000380-2026
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
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20265 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Christine Slade
Contact Email
christine.slade@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+441452425857

Buyer Location

Locality
GLOUCESTER
Postcode
GL1 2TH
Post Town
Gloucester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK73 Gloucestershire CC
Delivery Location
TLK13 Gloucestershire CC

Local Authority
Gloucester
Electoral Ward
Westgate
Westminster Constituency
Gloucester

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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