Select List of Providers for Recruitment Support for Permanent Staff for Children's Homes Management Roles

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jun 2026 at 15:16

Summary of the contracting process

This procurement process, initiated by Durham County Council, seeks to establish a select list of providers for recruitment support services to fill permanent management positions within Children's Homes, including the Aycliffe Secure Centre. The tender, part of the "services" main procurement category, falls under the "Job search services" industry classification (CPV 79611000) and holds a gross value of £480,000. The procurement method is an open competition, accessible to various qualified providers. The submission deadline for this active tender is set for 23 July 2026, at noon, with the contract period slated to commence on 1 August 2026 and extend through 31 July 2028, subject to potential renewal based on performance and funding. The process is conducted in the UKC14 region of the United Kingdom.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in recruitment services to expand their portfolio by engaging with public sector contracts. Open to multiple providers, the contract offers no exclusivity, thus allowing businesses the flexibility to demonstrate their capabilities in managing recruitment for sensitive and critical roles within public child care services. Companies that have a proven track record in providing comprehensive recruitment solutions or those seeking to enter this sector can benefit significantly, especially those that adhere to the Council’s capped payment rates as outlined in the procurement documents. With the possibility of renewal extensions, successful providers can secure a long-term relationship with the Council, fostering sustained business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Select List of Providers for Recruitment Support for Permanent Staff for Children's Homes Management Roles

Notice Description

This contract is for specialist recruitment support for the permanent appointment of employees at management levels covering two key areas within the Council, the Children's Homes in the community and Aycliffe Secure Centre (Secure Children's Home). The Council is seeking multiple providers that can provide the above-named services. This is an open agreement where, at any time, any Provider that meets the required standards in the Selection Questionnaire can be awarded a contract. The Council makes no guarantee to any Provider that they will be awarded any work under this contract and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreement, or in aggregate under the contract. The Contract provides for no form of exclusivity and the Council is at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any Services. Each Provider should understand that their submission constitutes an acceptance to the Council of the terms of the Contract. The contract affords the Provider merely the opportunity to respond to an invitation from the Council for the provision of services. Where a Service is required, the Council will approach the Provider for the service required and confirm with the Provider that they are able to provide the service required within the timescales. The capped payment rates as detailed in section 9 of the Selection Questionnaire (Pricing Schedule) will be the maximum rate for the services. Further details of the requirements are set out in Document 3A Specification.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 2 periods of 12 months from the contract end date subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bc7f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059574-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79611000 - Job search services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline
23 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bc7f-2026-06-24T16:16:19+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-24T16:16:19+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bc7f",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PMPB-8772-VYWM",
            "name": "Durham County Council",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PMPB-8772-VYWM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Corten House, Dunholme Close",
                "locality": "Durham",
                "postalCode": "DH1 5WB",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKC14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "corporate.procurement@durham.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.durham.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PMPB-8772-VYWM",
        "name": "Durham County Council"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "003422",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Select List of Providers for Recruitment Support for Permanent Staff for Children's Homes Management Roles",
        "description": "This contract is for specialist recruitment support for the permanent appointment of employees at management levels covering two key areas within the Council, the Children's Homes in the community and Aycliffe Secure Centre (Secure Children's Home). The Council is seeking multiple providers that can provide the above-named services. This is an open agreement where, at any time, any Provider that meets the required standards in the Selection Questionnaire can be awarded a contract. The Council makes no guarantee to any Provider that they will be awarded any work under this contract and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreement, or in aggregate under the contract. The Contract provides for no form of exclusivity and the Council is at all times entitled to enter into other contracts and agreements with other Providers for the provision of any Services. Each Provider should understand that their submission constitutes an acceptance to the Council of the terms of the Contract. The contract affords the Provider merely the opportunity to respond to an invitation from the Council for the provision of services. Where a Service is required, the Council will approach the Provider for the service required and confirm with the Provider that they are able to provide the service required within the timescales. The capped payment rates as detailed in section 9 of the Selection Questionnaire (Pricing Schedule) will be the maximum rate for the services. Further details of the requirements are set out in Document 3A Specification.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79611000",
                        "description": "Job search services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKC14",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 480000,
            "amount": 400000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Tender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org. Any entries received before the initial submission deadline of 23/07/2026 @12 noon will be evaluated as per the timetable below. Any applications received after the initial deadline will be responded to within 3 months.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-07-23T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 480000,
                    "amount": 400000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-08-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-07-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-07-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "2 periods of 12 months from the contract end date subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval."
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "description": "Contract Specific Essential Criteria - pass/fail"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "059574-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059574-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-24T16:16:19+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}