Planning

Supporting Stability and Sufficiency of children in care placements

DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Jan 2026 at 16:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by Derbyshire County Council focuses on the "Supporting Stability and Sufficiency of children in care placements" project. This procurement falls under the health and social work services industry category and is located in the UKF region, United Kingdom. The process is currently at the planning stage with a soft market engagement scheduled, where interested parties must complete the questionnaire by 6th February 2026. Derbyshire County Council is the buying organisation involved, and they aim to develop partnerships to enhance placement quality for children in care. The procurement method is a light touch regime, indicating a more flexible approach within the services category.

This tender provides significant opportunities for OFSTED registered providers, including foster care, residential, and supported accommodation providers. It offers a platform for businesses to engage in meaningful partnerships with the Council to deliver quality, stable, and cost-effective placements for children in care. Companies adept at offering innovative solutions and committed to child-centred outcomes will find favourable grounds for business growth. The process accommodates small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), encouraging a diverse range of businesses to participate in creating strategic direction and sufficiency in childcare provision within Derbyshire.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supporting Stability and Sufficiency of children in care placements

Notice Description

Soft Market Testing THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION Derbyshire County Council has over 1000 children in care. Approximately 50% of these children in care are in placements sourced through external providers, within residential, fostering and supported accommodation. This is an opportunity for OFSTED registered providers to support in the delivery of Good and Outstanding quality, stable and local placements to the Council's Children in Care. The Council is committed to driving a dynamic, outcomes-focused, child-centred placement market, which offers good value, quality and choice. The Council also aim to ensure that the right placement is found the first time, on time, every time and to deliver statutory duties. The Council is wanting to develop partnerships that will help the Council's Commissioners and Providers to address areas of sufficiency and establish a clear and strategic sense of direction for future provision within Derbyshire. The Council would welcome responses from foster care providers, residential providers, and supported accommodation providers to work with the Council to find creative solutions for Derbyshire's Children in Care.

Planning Information

The Soft Market information can be accessed via the following link: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=876a67fb-caef-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=0184a1f4-ccef-f011-813c-005056b64545 The deadline for completion of the questionnaire is 10:00 on 06/02/2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0603fc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002391-2026
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2031 Over 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
DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
countyprocurementcompliance.team@derbyshire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MATLOCK
Postcode
DE4 3AG
Post Town
Derby
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF13 South and West Derbyshire
Delivery Location
TLF East Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Derbyshire Dales
Electoral Ward
Matlock West
Westminster Constituency
Derbyshire Dales

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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