Planning

W5067 Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Autistic People & People Needing Physical Support

WALSALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Mar 2026 at 10:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

11 Mar 2026 at 16:33

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Walsall Council is currently in the planning stage for its procurement of a pilot scheme titled "Short Breaks for Adults With Learning Disabilities, Autistic People & People Needing Physical Support." This initiative falls under the "Health and social work services" category, aiming to enhance respite provisions within the community by establishing a 24/7 service in a 4-5 bed facility. Businesses have until 27th March 2026 to engage in market sounding, providing feedback that will shape the potential procurement process. A background review from 2024-25 showed significant demand, equating to 5419 nights of care. The official contract is anticipated to start on 1st September 2026, ending by 31st August 2031, with potential extensions until August 2033.

This tender presents promising growth opportunities for businesses specialising in health and social care services, particularly those with expertise in disability support, community care, and flexible accommodation solutions. It invites innovative providers to engage with Walsall Council, sharing insights and strategies that could define the future service model. Companies well-versed in adaptive service frameworks and capable of offering round-the-clock support would be ideally suited to compete for this tender, paving a pathway for sustained business expansion and community impact through responsive social care solutions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

W5067 Short Breaks for Adults with Learning Disabilities, Autistic People & People Needing Physical Support

Notice Description

To establish a pilot scheme to provide a 4-5 bed building-based service in the community with a flexible system allowing beds to be pre-booked for short breaks for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people needing physical support. The aim of the pilot is to inform the second phase of the project to provide short break accommodation. It is envisaged the pilot scheme will be an initial 12-month contract plus 12 months following ongoing monitoring and reviewing, with a strong focus on co-production throughout the initial 12-month operational phase. As part of the wider project we will be enquiring about your capacity to support emergency respite provision and your ideas around what that support could look like and what community short breaks options could be introduced. Please note that indicative contract start and end dates are included within this notice to meet procurement publication requirements. These dates are provided for guidance only. The final contract model, structure, and duration have not yet been determined. Through this pre-market engagement exercise, the Council is seeking feedback from providers on viable contract lengths, potential extension options, and the commercial conditions that would support a sustainable and deliverable service. The purpose of this engagement is to encourage providers to share insight, suggestions, and innovative approaches that could shape the final contract design. All feedback received will help the Council determine the most appropriate contract model and duration before progressing to formal procurement.

Planning Information

This market sounding exercise is being undertaken by Walsall Council to obtain the views from potential interested parties to undertake a pilot and co-production to inform the possible future strategy for the following service delivery: ● Short Breaks (respite) for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people needing physical support This exercise does not form part of any formal procurement process. Information received will be treated in strictest of confidence. This document provides background information on the current project with a number of questions designed to help establish: ● Your appetite for whether or not your organisation would like to be considered for this service; ● Your observations regarding the potential work and strategy; ● Your views on any issues that may exist with respect to providing the specialist works and your solution to these issues. It is our intention to use this information to inform a potential future procurement process following a pilot phase. Please provide as much information as possible in order for us to obtain as full a picture as possible. However, we would appreciate specific answers to the questions raised, rather than the attachment of extensive technical or promotional information. The responses you supply will be treated in the strictest confidence. Further market sounding may be undertaken following the closure of this exercise. Overview Walsall is currently reviewing its existing respite provision with a view to transforming its offer to improve the choice, flexibility and accessibility for short breaks for adults. In 2024-25, 252 people accessed replacement care: 35 people used a direct payment; 139 people accessed commissioned care and 78 people accessed emergency care. This equates to 5419 nights. Aim To establish a pilot scheme to provide a 4-5 bed building-based service operating 24/7 and available 365 days of the year within the community, with a flexible system allowing beds to be pre-booked for short breaks for adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and people needing physical support. The aim of the pilot is to inform the second phase of the project to provide short break accommodation. It is envisaged we will negotiate the length of the pilot scheme following ongoing monitoring and reviewing, with a strong focus on co-production throughout the initial 24-month operational phase. Risks will be identified and addressed together. We will be joint working throughout the pilot so the risks will be shared during the 24-month phase. As part of the wider project we will be enquiring about your capacity to support emergency respite provision and your ideas around what that support could look like and what community short breaks options could be introduced. As part of this process we are looking to explore individual conversations with interested parties. Requirements 4-5 bedrooms in community-based accessible accommodation with 24/7 support Care and support for people using short breaks A flexible booking system allowing for pre-bookable breaks Options The Council are currently looking at the following options and would like to get provider feedback Option 1 - A building with 4 or 5 bookable (preferably ensuite bedrooms) including one ground floor bedroom, a sleep in room alongside communal space, a utility room and a large kitchen, parking and a garden Option 2 - Staff for 24/7 care and support including management, support staff and domestic duties for a short breaks property Option 3 - Both a building and the care and support Value To be confirmed once we have received the feedback from this exercise

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0667a2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022792-2026
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

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
13 Mar 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Mar 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 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
WALSALL 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
WALSALL
Postcode
WS1 1TP
Post Town
Walsall
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG38 Walsall
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Walsall
Electoral Ward
St Matthew's
Westminster Constituency
Walsall and Bloxwich

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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