Tender

Therapeutic Residential Home Services with Education for Children with Complex Needs (Cross Regional Project)

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 12 releases in its history.

Tender

21 Apr 2026 at 11:35

PlanningUpdate

17 Apr 2026 at 13:06

PlanningUpdate

15 Apr 2026 at 13:18

PlanningUpdate

15 Apr 2026 at 13:12

PlanningUpdate

15 Apr 2026 at 13:11

PlanningUpdate

02 Apr 2026 at 11:13

PlanningUpdate

02 Apr 2026 at 11:02

PlanningUpdate

02 Apr 2026 at 10:52

PlanningUpdate

17 Mar 2026 at 11:27

Planning

16 Mar 2026 at 14:32

Planning

16 Mar 2026 at 14:25

Planning

28 Nov 2025 at 12:19

Summary of the contracting process

Oxfordshire County Council leads a tender for "Therapeutic Residential Home Services with Education for Children with Complex Needs," targeting health and social work services across multiple UK counties, including Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. The procurement process is in the tender stage, inviting business submissions until 13 May 2026, with enquiries closing on 11 May 2026. The tender employs a competitive flexible procedure in services above the threshold under a light-touch regime. Successful bidders will operate 11 homes providing therapeutic care and education to children with complex needs, launching 1 August 2027. The anticipated total value is £172 million, with award decisions due by 12 October 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs specialising in health, education, or residential care services. With the planned expansion capacity of up to 24 placements, businesses involved in social work or recruiting skilled staff for children's services can benefit by showcasing their capability to meet technical and financial criteria, as outlined in the procurement documents. Involvement in this project could enhance a company's portfolio by joining a consortium that promises extensive and sustainable service delivery for children across regional homes. Prospective suppliers should prepare to navigate a two-stage assessment, emphasising both quality and economic viability.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Therapeutic Residential Home Services with Education for Children with Complex Needs (Cross Regional Project)

Notice Description

Cross Regional contract on behalf of Councils Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Reading, Bedford and Oxfordshire to offer residential and educational provision for Children We Care For (CWCF) with complex social, behavioural and educational needs. Cross Regional Project (CRP) delivers therapeutic residential care and educational services for children aged 11-17 with complex needs, operating across 11 homes in partner counties offering 36 placements. A registered special school, commissioned under a block contract, provides education for pupils aged 11-17--including those without EHCPs--across Key Stages 3 to 5. The new service will launch on August 1, 2027, starting with 36 placements and potentially expanding by 24 more. Following the contract commencement date, Partners can buy extra placements at any time during the contract.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: There is the option to increase placements up to 24 (+ 3 optional for Milton Keynes) individual placements during the lifetime of the contract.

Renewal: Extension period is up to 5 years in aggregate when agreed by all parties.

Planning Information

This is a preliminary market to seek views from potential providers on how best to deliver Cross Regional Project that offers residential, educational and therapeutic services for children aged 11 to 17 inclusive with complex needs. To partake in this preliminary market engagement, potential providers can register on and access the Council's e-tendering system - Proactis on: https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=16101b29-4acc-f011-813a-005056b64545 then clicking on the "Opportunities" tile to search for the pre-market engagement project (reference:DN798997). A preliminary market engagement questionnaire will be available on this project for providers to download and respond to by the end of Friday 19th December 2025. Please note that any commercially sensitive information supplied by providers will be stored confidentially and will not be disclosed to any third party. Also note that this is neither a call for competition nor a procurement exercise.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eafe
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036049-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
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
£172,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£172,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
11 May 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
17 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2027 - 31 Jul 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
OXFORDSHIRE 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
OXFORD
Postcode
OX1 1ND
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

Local Authority
Oxford
Electoral Ward
Osney & St Thomas
Westminster Constituency
Oxford West and Abingdon

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eafe-2026-04-21T12:35:22+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-21T12:35:22+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05eafe",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PZNW-8281-MHNM",
            "name": "Oxfordshire County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PZNW-8281-MHNM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "County Hall",
                "locality": "Oxford",
                "postalCode": "OX1 1ND",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Priscilla Opare Mintah",
                "email": "Priscilla.Oparemintah@oxfordshire.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 10000000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PZNW-8281-MHNM",
        "name": "Oxfordshire County Council"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "This is a preliminary market to seek views from potential providers on how best to deliver Cross Regional Project that offers residential, educational and therapeutic services for children aged 11 to 17 inclusive with complex needs. To partake in this preliminary market engagement, potential providers can register on and access the Council's e-tendering system - Proactis on: https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=16101b29-4acc-f011-813a-005056b64545 then clicking on the \"Opportunities\" tile to search for the pre-market engagement project (reference:DN798997). A preliminary market engagement questionnaire will be available on this project for providers to download and respond to by the end of Friday 19th December 2025. Please note that any commercially sensitive information supplied by providers will be stored confidentially and will not be disclosed to any third party. Also note that this is neither a call for competition nor a procurement exercise.",
                "dueDate": "2025-12-19T23:59:59+00:00",
                "status": "met",
                "dateMet": "2025-12-19T00:00:00Z"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "078052-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078052-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-28T12:19:36Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "023553-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023553-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-16T14:25:33Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "023565-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK3",
                "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023565-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-16T14:32:28Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "023954-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023954-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-17T11:27:36Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "030802-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK3",
                "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030802-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T11:52:51+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "030812-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030812-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T12:02:02+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "030828-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030828-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-02T12:13:25+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "034255-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034255-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-15T14:11:18+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "034256-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034256-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-15T14:12:27+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "034266-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK3",
                "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034266-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-15T14:18:42+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "I-4287",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Therapeutic Residential Home Services with Education for Children with Complex Needs (Cross Regional Project)",
        "description": "Cross Regional contract on behalf of Councils Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Reading, Bedford and Oxfordshire to offer residential and educational provision for Children We Care For (CWCF) with complex social, behavioural and educational needs. Cross Regional Project (CRP) delivers therapeutic residential care and educational services for children aged 11-17 with complex needs, operating across 11 homes in partner counties offering 36 placements. A registered special school, commissioned under a block contract, provides education for pupils aged 11-17--including those without EHCPs--across Key Stages 3 to 5. The new service will launch on August 1, 2027, starting with 36 placements and potentially expanding by 24 more. Following the contract commencement date, Partners can buy extra placements at any time during the contract.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85000000",
                        "description": "Health and social work services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH2",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKJ1",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 206400000,
            "amount": 172000000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-08-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2032-07-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2037-07-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "active",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 50,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Pricing",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 40,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Contract Implementation/Mobilisation Service Model Workforce Stability, Governance and Quality Assurance Safeguarding Questions from Young People Social Value: Early Careers Opportunities Social Value: Youth Engagement and Support",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Pricing",
                            "description": "Pricing Schedule",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Contract Implementation/Mobilisation Service Model Workforce Stability, Governance and Quality Assurance Safeguarding Questions from Young People Social Value: Early Careers Opportunities Social Value: Youth Engagement and Support",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Pricing",
                            "description": "Pricing Schedule",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Quality",
                            "description": "Quality includes Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 70,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "description": "Pricing Schedule",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 30,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "secondStage": {
                    "minimumCandidates": 1,
                    "maximumCandidates": 10
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Financial assessment on publicly available full accounts of providers for the last 2 years will be conducted."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Details of up to 3 contracts to meet the technical and professional ability criteria set out in the procurement documents will be required."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "Economic and Financial standing Technical and Professional Ability Social value and Sustainability OFSTED registration Mobilisation",
                            "forReduction": true
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Financial assessment on publicly available full accounts of providers for the last 2 years will be conducted."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Details of up to 3 contracts to meet the technical and professional ability criteria set out in the procurement documents will be required."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "Economic and Financial standing Technical and Professional Ability OFSTED registration Mobilisation",
                            "forReduction": true
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Financial assessment on publicly available full accounts of providers for the last 2 years will be conducted."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Details of up to 3 contracts to meet the technical and professional ability criteria set out in the procurement documents will be required."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "Economic and Financial standing Technical and Professional Ability OFSTED registration Mobilisation",
                            "forReduction": true
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "Financial assessment on publicly available full accounts of providers for the last 2 years will be conducted."
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "Details of up to 3 contracts to meet the technical and professional ability criteria set out in the procurement documents will be required."
                        },
                        {
                            "description": "Pass on mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds including debarment checks Economic and Financial standing. Technical and Professional Ability OFSTED registration Mobilisation",
                            "forReduction": true
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Extension period is up to 5 years in aggregate when agreed by all parties."
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "There is the option to increase placements up to 24 (+ 3 optional for Milton Keynes) individual placements during the lifetime of the contract."
                },
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 206400000,
                    "amount": 172000000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-17T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procedure": {
            "isAccelerated": true,
            "acceleratedRationale": "Light touch contract",
            "features": "This is a two stage procedure where stage 1 is on conditions of participation and focus is on potential suppliers passing the procurement specific questionnaire (PSQ). Following publication of the tender documents, Stage 1 will involve an assessment of bidders' responses to mandatory conditions of participation questions. These responses will be evaluated using a Pass/Fail model. The successful bidders of Stage 1 will be invited to bid in Stage 2. Stage 2 evaluation assess bidders' responses to quality questions relevant to the provision of service requirement. Shortlisted bidders may be invited to attend an interview with a panel from the Consortium, which will form part of the quality assessment."
        },
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://sebp.due-north.com/",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2026-05-13T16:00:00+01:00",
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-05-11T23:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-10-12T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "future",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "accessDetails": "Documents will be uploaded on the portal, https://sebp.due-north.com/"
            },
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "036049-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036049-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-21T12:35:22+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "Payment of valid invoice will be 30 days after receipt."
        },
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "023954-2026",
                "description": "The correct tender publish date is 2nd April 2026."
            },
            {
                "id": "034255-2026",
                "description": "New tender publish date."
            },
            {
                "id": "034256-2026",
                "description": "New tender publish date"
            },
            {
                "id": "034266-2026",
                "description": "Change to tender publish date, clarification deadline and tender submission date"
            }
        ],
        "riskDetails": "The availability of properties in the right locations. Lengthy Ofsted registration processes due to recently introduced priority matrix which could be 18 -24 months for registration in an area saturated with children's residential provision. Recruiting staff in the current market. Increased possibility of disputes Too much growth (scaling up) may lead to voids due to some young people being placed in these residential settings as the preferred option if a fostering placement is not available."
    },
    "language": "en"
}