Planning

Supported and Residential Living

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Jan 2026 at 14:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council, a sub-central government authority located in Maidstone, is in the planning stages of a procurement process titled "Supported and Residential Living" in the services industry category. This tender aims to replace existing contracts for various accommodation and support services by June 2027 with a unified contract. The documented procurement process involves a significant budget allocation of £3.02 billion. Several virtual market engagement events are scheduled as part of the planning stage, with sessions on 19 February, 25 February, 4 March, and 6 March 2026, offering potential suppliers insights into service elements, strategy, pricing, and procurement methods. All sessions will be held via Microsoft Teams, with registration required by 16 February 2026.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in social work and related services. Companies with experience in managing contracts related to learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and mental health are particularly well-suited to benefit from this procurement process. The focus on integrating multiple service types into a single contract could result in streamlined operational efficiencies and increased business opportunities in the care and support domain. The light-touch regime applied suggests an emphasis on quality and flexibility, making it attractive for agile service providers aiming to expand their footprint within the public sector in the United Kingdom.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supported and Residential Living

Notice Description

Kent County Council currently commissions the following accommodation and support services which are coming to an end in 2027: Learning Disability, Physical Disability and Mental Health (LDPDMH) Residential Care Supported Living Supporting Independence Service (delivered through Care and Support in the Home contract) Positive Behavioural Support Contract (ended 31/10/2022). Kent County Council are looking to have in place a new service which brings together all elements of Supported Living and Learning Disability, Physical Disability and Metal Health Residential into one contract. Please note that all dates stated in this Notice regarding the start, end, and extension period of this service are provisional and subject to change. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1004966451

Planning Information

Dear Potential Suppliers,​ ​ We would like to inform you that virtual Market Engagement Event has been arranged as follows:​ Event Schedule:​ Thursday 19 February 2026: 1pm – 4pm Wednesday 25 February 2026: 9:30am – 12:30pm​ Wednesday 4 March 2026: 2pm – 5pm​ Friday 6 March 2026: 9am – 12pm​ The event will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams and will last approximately 3 hours. It will cover the following topics:​ - Key elements of the service​ - Commissioning Intentions, Accommodation Strategy and Specification​ - Geographical, Delivery and Pricing​ - Key Performance Indicators, Performance Contract Management​ - Procurement approach ​ Potential service providers who wish to attend can book a place via the following URL: https://forms.office.com/e/cvtcrngHMJ Please copy and paste the full URL address above into your browser to access the Microsoft Form. Kindly submit your response by Monday 16th Feb. Teams Meeting link will be sent to registered attendees prior to the event.​ Please ensure your participants have access to Microsoft Teams to be able to attend your chosen meeting. The meeting recordings and slide decks will also be cascaded after the market engagement events have taken place.​ ​ If you have any questions regarding the Market Engagement Event, please contact us via the Message function on the Kent Business Portal (Delta).​

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060a0d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004856-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,020,000,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2027 - 31 May 2032 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
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
CPD People Team
Contact Email
cpd-peopleteam@kent.gov.uk
Contact Phone
03000413728

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

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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