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AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision

Luton Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Jun 2026 at 08:56

Award Notice
Tender

13 Mar 2026 at 09:03

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by Luton Council, in collaboration with Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council, and Hertfordshire County Council, focuses on the re-opening and expansion of the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies. Under the Light Touch Regime per the Public Contract Regulations 2015, this initiative aims to improve social work and related services across the geographic areas of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Cambridgeshire. The procurement, completed in June 2026, involves active contracts with Foster Care Link Limited and St Christopher's Fellowship, fostering social care services for children. The process employed an open procedure, ensuring a transparent and competitive environment for potential service providers. The procurement stage at which the contracts are is the Award stage, with contracts signed on 23 June 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses in the social care industry, particularly those specialising in fostering services. Being Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding creates a distinct advantage for companies aiming to participate. Businesses can leverage this procurement to connect with local authorities, expand their service reach, and contribute to better outcomes for children across multiple regions. The involvement of reputable parties like Luton Council underscores the potential for sustainable partnerships and long-term growth in the provision of quality foster care services. This tender is particularly suited for SMEs seeking to enhance their footprint by delivering specialised social care services within the UK framework.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision

Notice Description

Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities). Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after. We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance. This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities). Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after. We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance. This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066924
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058751-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£118,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
14 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Luton Council
Additional Buyers

Bedford Borough Council

Central Bedfordshire Council

Hertfordshire 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
LUTON
Postcode
LU1 2BQ
Postcode Area
Luton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH21 Luton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Luton
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Luton South and South Bedfordshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Foster Care Link Ltd

St Christopher's Fellowship

Further Information

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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