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Soft Market Testing Exercise- Short-term Emergency Placements

Wirral Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

26 Aug 2026 at 14:44

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wirral Council is exploring services to provide short-term emergency accommodation for children and young people presenting in crisis, particularly those who might otherwise remain in hospital or be placed in another unsuitable setting. The requirement concerns welfare services for children and young people, including accommodation and associated support appropriate to emergency placements. Delivery is in Wirral, within the wider Merseyside area. The council is seeking views from providers on viable ways to meet this need, rather than purchasing a defined package of accommodation at this stage. Relevant organisations may include specialist emergency placement providers, children’s residential care providers, supported accommodation operators and other organisations able to respond safely and quickly to urgent placements for vulnerable young people.

The procurement is at the planning stage and is currently a soft market testing and engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. Wirral Council expects to use the responses to understand viable delivery options before developing a future procurement. Interested providers are expected to complete and upload the soft market testing exercise through The Chest by 23 September 2026, with the council’s stated time being 12 noon. The planned contract period is from 1 June 2027 to 31 May 2032. The service is being considered under the light-touch regime. One service lot is identified, covering the planned emergency placement requirement. No tender submission, contract value or award decision is established at this stage.

This exercise is relevant to organisations already providing emergency accommodation, children’s residential care, supported accommodation or welfare services for children and young people. It will suit providers with the operational capacity to accept crisis referrals, provide safe and appropriate placements, and work with public services when a child or young person cannot remain in hospital or another unsuitable setting. Providers with experience supporting vulnerable young people, managing urgent placements and maintaining safeguarding, staffing and accommodation standards will be well placed to contribute. The immediate commercial value is the chance to explain viable delivery models and help shape the council’s future requirement. Providers should prepare clear information about their accommodation offer, response arrangements, service capabilities and relevant experience before the later procurement stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing Exercise- Short-term Emergency Placements

Notice Description

Wirral Council is undertaking a soft market testing and engagement exercise to explore viable options for the provision of short-term, emergency accommodation for APOC children and young people presenting in crisis, particularly where they would otherwise remain in hospital or other inappropriate settings.

Planning Information

Soft Market Testing document to be completed by interested providers and uploaded via the Chest portal before 12 Noon on Wednesday 23rd September 2026. Soft Market Testing Exercise- Short-term Emergency Placements DN827438 https://procontract.due-north.com/register If you experience any technical difficulties registering or using The Chest, please contact support: Email: procontractsuppliers@proactis.com Telephone: 0330 005 0352

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ecc8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081391-2026
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

85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
23 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 31 May 2032 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
Wirral 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
WALLASEY
Postcode
CH44 8ED
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD74 Wirral
Delivery Location
TLD74 Wirral
Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Seacombe
Westminster Constituency
Wallasey

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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