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Solo Overnight Respite Solution

Durham County Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2026 at 14:12

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Sep 2026 at 14:06

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council commissioned a solo overnight respite service for families whose children have autism, learning disabilities or other neurodiverse needs and cannot use traditional shared respite because of complex needs or behaviours. Social workers will assess each family and determine the required frequency and duration. The service is intended to provide safe, individual overnight care for children and young people who need a dedicated arrangement. It will operate from a purpose-adapted building and must be registered with Ofsted to provide overnight respite for children. The work is a health and social care service, classified under CPV 85000000, serving families in the North East. The council is the commissioning public authority and buyer.

This procurement has been awarded through a completed single-lot process. Durham County Council used a direct award under the light-touch regime, relying on technical reasons and the absence of an alternative provider able to meet the specialist requirement. The award date was 9 September 2026 and the selected supplier is WE CARE BESPOKE LTD. The award value is £1,033,682 excluding VAT, or £1,240,418.40 including VAT. The contract period runs from 28 September 2026 to 27 September 2028. A contract signature was scheduled for 22 September 2026, following a standstill period ending on 21 September 2026. The arrangement is intended to maintain continuity while the council develops its in-house overnight respite provision, expected to be operational in mid-2028.

This requirement shows demand for specialist solo overnight respite rather than standard shared provision. A credible future competitor would need an Ofsted-registered, purpose-adapted setting suitable for children and young people with autism, learning disabilities and other neurodiverse needs. The service model must support children whose behaviour or presentation cannot be safely managed in shared respite, with staffing able to provide individualised care and maintain safety overnight. Relevant providers would need demonstrable experience of supporting this complex cohort, a specialist workforce, and the operational capacity to mobilise from an established facility. The council’s rationale indicates that continuity, rapid mobilisation and value for money matter alongside clinical and social care capability. Providers able to evidence these factors would be well placed when this type of requirement is next reviewed.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Solo Overnight Respite Solution

Notice Description

The service will provide a solo overnight respite solution for families whose children have autism and / neuro diversity and who cannot access traditional respite services on account of the complexity of the children's needs and presentation. The need for a solo respite solution and the frequency / duration will be identified by DCC Social Workers following assessment of the families needs. The service will be registered with Ofsted to supply overnight respite for children.

Procurement Information

There is a significant shortfall in overnight respite provision for children and young people with Autism, learning disabilities, and other neurodiverse needs who require solo arrangements due to behaviours that cannot be safely supported within traditional shared respite settings. Existing providers within the North East are unable to meet these needs, resulting in Durham County Council incurring high-cost bed-blocking arrangements. The proposed provider is able to deliver a dedicated solo overnight respite service from a purpose-adapted building that is already OFSTED registered. The provider has the specialist staffing model, environment, and experience required to safely support this complex cohort. No alternative provider available through existing arrangements can meet the Council's requirements to the same level and within the required timescales. A direct award under PA23 is considered appropriate as it will ensure continuity of provision, minimise mobilisation time, and provide value for money by utilising an existing specialist facility rather than developing a new service. This arrangement will bridge the gap until Durham County Council's in-house overnight respite provision becomes operational, which is currently expected in mid-2028.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f5b6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085421-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£1,033,682 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
28 Sep 2026 - 27 Sep 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate & Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

We Care Bespoke Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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