Tender

Regulation 44 Visits by an Independent Person

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

04 Jun 2026 at 12:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is conducting an open procurement process for the tender titled "Regulation 44 Visits by an Independent Person" in the Health and Social Work Services category. The objective is to appoint a contractor to carry out monthly visits required by the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 for its Community Children’s Homes, including the Aycliffe Secure Centre located in the UKC14 region of the United Kingdom. This process commenced on 4th June 2026, with tender submissions closing on 6th July 2026 and the award set to be finalised by 17th July 2026. The contract period starts on 1st September 2026 and extends until 31st August 2031, with potential renewals up to 2034, depending on approval from commissioners and budget constraints.

This tender presents a significant business opportunity for organisations specialising in safeguarding, welfare promotion, and service delivery within residential child care settings. With a projected contract value of £1,272,000, this project requires flexibility and scalability to accommodate Durham County Council’s expansion plans of up to five additional Community Children’s Homes. Businesses adept at providing robust quality assurance, data protection compliant services, and performance monitoring are well-positioned to compete. Moreover, familiarity with TUPE regulations is beneficial, as these are anticipated to apply. The opportunity is open to firms capable of delivering high standards of care and working within the stringent regulatory framework for safeguarding children's welfare.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Regulation 44 Visits by an Independent Person

Notice Description

This contract is for Regulation 44 Visits by an Independent Person. The Community Children's Homes maintained by Durham County Council provide support and care for some of our most vulnerable children. Durham County Council is committed to be the best parent we can be for Children in our Care and strives to ensure that we deliver support and care that is as good as every good parent. In addition to this we also host Aycliffe Secure Centre within County Durham for both male and females who have been admitted by courts or councils on a welfare and youth custody basis, this may be due to a risk to themselves or others or because there is a concern about involvement with criminal activities. The Children's Homes Regulations 2015 (Regulation 44) require all providers of Children's Residential Homes, to secure monthly visits (as a minimum) by an Independent Person to undertake a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home's care. There are currently 15 Community Children's Homes maintained by Durham County Council, including a Short Breaks Service and a Step-Down from Secure home. Each of these homes requires monthly Regulation 44 visits conducted by an Independent Person. In addition, Aycliffe Secure Centre comprises a further five homes. Over the course of the contract, the Council plans to develop up to five additional Community Children's Homes. It is anticipated that the scope and value of the contract will be adjusted accordingly as each new home is developed and registered with Ofsted, ensuring ongoing compliance with Regulation 44 requirements. The view of the Council is that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) will apply to this contract. However, Bidders should seek their own legal advice as to the applicability of TUPE and as to the effect of the TUPE clause contained in the contract Terms and Conditions.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The number of homes may increase / decrease over the life of the contract and the successful organisation requires flexibility to this contract to accommodate this. Over the course of the contract, the Council plans to develop up to five additional Community Children's Homes. It is anticipated that the scope and value of the contract will be adjusted accordingly as each new home is developed and registered with Ofsted, ensuring ongoing compliance with Regulation 44 requirements. The separate governance arrangements for the Secure Centre and Community Children's Homes may need to be reviewed when considering any contract extension. In particular, a decision may be made as to whether it remains appropriate for a single contract to continue covering both services, or whether they should be commissioned separately to better reflect their distinct operational and regulatory frameworks.

Renewal: 3 periods of 12 months each subject to commissioner and budget approval

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ad88
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052811-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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
£1,060,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,060,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline
6 Jul 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2034-01-02

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM 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
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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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