Planning

Fostering

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

26 Sep 2025 at 10:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

10 Sep 2025 at 14:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is conducting a soft market assessment to gauge interest from various sectors, including Voluntary, NHS, Independent, and Private, in providing Fostering services within Cornwall. This preliminary phase is designed to inform a business proposal before possibly commissioning services, ensuring strategic planning without commercial commitment. We encourage interested parties to submit their insights by the deadline of 24th October 2025 at 12:00 via the Due North / Supplying the South-West messaging system. This procurement process, currently in the planning stage, falls under the services category and is particularly relevant to community, social, and personal services, with the contract expected to commence on 1st April 2026, ending on 28th March 2031.

This initiative represents a significant opportunity for organisations within the aforementioned sectors to enter or expand their presence in the fostering services market. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-suited to participate due to the contract's suitability criteria. Engaging in this market assessment allows businesses to tailor their future offerings to meet identified needs, thus positioning them strategically ahead of future tenders when the formal procurement process begins. The potential contract value of up to £1,249,999 indicates substantial growth opportunities for the successful bidders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Fostering

Notice Description

Cornwall Council is undertaking a soft market assessment to explore the level of interest from providers across the Voluntary, NHS, Independent, and Private sectors in delivering Fostering services within Cornwall. This exercise is intended to inform the development of a business proposal ahead of any potential commissioning of local services. Responses will help shape our understanding of the market and guide future service design. Please note, this is not a formal tender and does not represent any commercial commitment. Any costings or service models shared will be treated as indicative and used solely to support strategic planning. Participation in this soft market assessment will not affect your eligibility to engage in any future procurement processes. If you are interested in supporting children through Fostering and you would like to contribute to our market assessment, please complete the "Information Required" section at the end of this notice. You may also include any additional information you feel is relevant. Please return your response via the Due North / Supplying the South-West messaging system by Friday, 24th October 12:00 PLEASE NOTE IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A RESPONSE THERE IS NO NEED TO RESUBMIT

Planning Information

Cornwall Council is undertaking a soft market assessment to explore the level of interest from providers across the Voluntary, NHS, Independent, and Private sectors in delivering Fostering services within Cornwall. This exercise is intended to inform the development of a business proposal ahead of any potential commissioning of local services. Responses will help shape our understanding of the market and guide future service design. Please note, this is not a formal tender and does not represent any commercial commitment. Any costings or service models shared will be treated as indicative and used solely to support strategic planning. Participation in this soft market assessment will not affect your eligibility to engage in any future procurement processes. If you are interested in supporting children through Fostering and you would like to contribute to our market assessment, please complete the “Information Required” section at the end of this notice. You may also include any additional information you feel is relevant. Please return your response via the Due North / Supplying the South-West messaging system by Friday, 24th October 12:00 and not 23:59 as the notice defaults to

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0597c5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060061-2025
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

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,249,999 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Sep 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 28 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CORNWALL COUNCIL
Contact Name
Christine Susan Stone
Contact Email
christine.stone@cornwall.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+441872722222

Buyer Location

Locality
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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