Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement for Residential Homes for Children Looked After

LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Feb 2026 at 11:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Camden is initiating a public procurement process, currently at the planning stage, for the commissioning of three new children's homes intended for children aged 6 to 18 who are looked after by the Council. This procurement, titled "Preliminary Market Engagement for Residential Homes for Children Looked After," falls under the industry category of social work services with accommodation. The Council is organising an online market engagement event on 27th February 2026, with registrations due by the 25th of February. The residential homes are located in London (UKI31 region) and the estimated contract value is £18,000,000, under a service category. The first contract is expected to start in December 2026 or January 2027, with follow-ups in mid-2027, each having a potential duration of four years and an extension option up to two additional years.

This tender offers vital business growth opportunities, particularly for service providers experienced in social care services and supportive residential environments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can deliver care for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties or provide short-term stabilising placements will find this opportunity well-suited to their capabilities. Engaging in this tender allows businesses to contribute to an essential public service, benefiting from long-term contracts and forming part of a supportive network, including health and educational services. The procurement method aligns with the 'light touch' regime, making it an inclusive process for eligible service providers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement for Residential Homes for Children Looked After

Notice Description

The Council are planning to commission three new children's homes for 6 -18 year olds the first contract will commence in December 2026/January 2027 and the other two in June/July 2027 (subject to change) for an estimated contract duration of four (4) years with an option to extend for a further two year. The Council will provide the buildings, and we are seeking service providers to run the homes. Two of the contracts will be for children with emotional behavioural difficulties and one will provide short term stabilising placements for children with complex needs who are at risk or on deprivation of liberty orders. The children and young people living at the homes will be 'Children Looked After,' where the Council has corporate parenting responsibilities in line with the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. As a result of their experiences, the children referred to the service will have varying and complex needs. Alongside the daily support from the service provider, children and young people placed in this service will receive in-reach from local services including health, education child adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).

Planning Information

We are inviting suppliers to attend an online market engagement event via Microsoft Teams taking place on 27th February 2026 from 9.30am to 11:00am. A link to the meeting will be provided upon registration. Please register by noon on 25th February 2026 and access further information via this link https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=2178df2e-df00-f111-813c-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=0cdf5eb7-df00-f111-813c-005056b64545

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0649ec
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010887-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85311000 - Social work services with accommodation

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Feb 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2030 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
LONDON BOROUGH OF CAMDEN
Contact Name
Sandra Gayle
Contact Email
sandra.gayle@camden.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+442079742956

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
WC1H 9JE
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI36 Camden
Delivery Location
TLI31 Camden and City of London
Local Authority
Camden
Electoral Ward
King's Cross
Westminster Constituency
Holborn and St Pancras

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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