This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

30 Sep 2026 at 09:39

Planning

29 Sep 2026 at 12:01

Summary of the contracting process

Lincolnshire County Council intends to commission independent placements for children and young people through an open framework. The services will cover a range of individual needs and intended outcomes, with placements matched to the Council’s assessment and requirements. Eight areas are planned: independent non-maintained special schools; residential care; foster care; supported accommodation; domiciliary care for children and young people with disabilities; short breaks and social inclusion for this group; alternative provision for permanently excluded children and young people; and alternative provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. This is a children’s social care and education services framework, delivered through placements for children and young people whose needs are identified by the Council. Lincolnshire County Council is the buyer.

The process is at planning stage: the Council has stated its intention to procure, and there is no invitation to tender yet. It expects to establish an open framework, with new providers able to apply to join at intervals during the framework term. Individual placements will be commissioned according to assessed needs, matching requirements and call-off arrangements. The planned framework term runs from 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2035. The stated estimated value is £1.3 billion excluding VAT (£1.56 billion including VAT). The Council has planned preliminary market engagement through a questionnaire, with a return date of 13 October 2026. The process is divided into the eight service areas described above; the framework’s suitability is marked for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

The framework is intended for providers able to deliver safe, high-quality placements tailored to the individual needs and outcomes of children and young people. It may suit organisations specialising in one or more of the planned areas, including specialist schooling, residential or foster care, supported accommodation, disability support, short breaks and social inclusion, or alternative education provision. Providers will need to be able to match placements to the Council’s assessed requirements and work within its commissioning and call-off arrangements. The planned open-framework model is intended to allow new providers to apply at specified intervals over its term, so businesses can prepare for future entry rather than treat this planning process as a current bid invitation. Being accepted onto the framework would not guarantee any volume of placements or business.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Placements Framework - Lincolnshire County Council

Notice Description

Lincolnshire County Council intends to establish an Open Framework for the commissioning of independent placements for children and young people. The framework will support the Council in sourcing a range of high-quality, safe and suitable placements that meet the individual needs and outcomes of children and young people. The Open Framework will provide opportunities for new providers to apply to join at specified intervals throughout its term. Individual placements will be commissioned through the framework in accordance with the Council's assessed needs, matching requirements and call-off arrangements. Inclusion on the framework will not guarantee any level of business or placement volume. Lots to be included in the framework will be: - Independent Non-Maintained (Special) Schools (INMS) - Residential Care - Foster Care - Supported Accommodation - Domiciliary Care for Children and Young People with Disabilities (CWD) - Short Breaks and Social Inclusion for Children and Young People with Disabilities (CWD) - Alternative Provision (AP) for permanently excluded children and young people (PEX) - Alternative Provision (AP) to meet Special Educational, needs and disabilities (SEND)

Planning Information

Access the Panacea Procurement Portal via: https://app.panacea-software.com/lcc/Login.aspx Download the Pre-Market Engagement Questionnaire Document, complete the questionnaire and return to: LCCPlacements@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077c4c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092155-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80100000 - Primary education services

80200000 - Secondary education services

85320000 - Social services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,300,000,000 £1B-£10B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2035 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
Lincolnshire 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
LINCOLN
Postcode
LN1 1YL
Postcode Area
Lincoln
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF3 Lincolnshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF30 Lincolnshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lincoln
Electoral Ward
Carholme
Westminster Constituency
Lincoln

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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