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Future Residential, Nursing and Specialist Care Home Framework

Wirral Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

16 Oct 2026 at 14:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Oct 2026 at 13:57

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wirral Council is developing a future framework for residential, nursing and specialist care home services for residents whose needs can no longer be safely met in the community. The intended framework is part of the Council’s approach to supporting independent living through preventative and community-based care, while ensuring access to high-quality placements as demand and the complexity of residents’ needs increase. The Council wants the framework to respond to local needs and support a sustainable care home market. The services are intended for Wirral; the procurement covers health and social care services (CPV 85000000). This is currently a planning exercise to inform the framework’s design, rather than an invitation to tender.

The process is at planning stage. Wirral Council is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform its commissioning intentions and framework design; participation is not part of the procurement and will not affect future tender evaluation. The Council expects to use an open procedure for a framework agreement, with one planned lot. The indicative contract period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2035, and the estimated value is £632 million gross. The Council expects to publish a further notice around 20 January 2027. It has asked market participants to complete a questionnaire through The Chest, with responses expected by 28 October 2026 at noon. Feedback is sought on market conditions, service gaps, capacity, placements, innovation, realistic admissions timescales and collaboration.

This engagement is most relevant to care home providers offering residential, nursing or specialist care in Wirral, as well as sector representatives and system partners able to contribute evidence about provision and commissioning. Providers can use the exercise to explain what works in the current market and placement process, where capacity or services fall short, and the pressures and challenges affecting delivery. The Council is seeking practical ideas for innovation, improvement and more effective collaboration, alongside realistic expectations for admissions and placements. Suppliers with knowledge of complex care needs and the ability to deliver high-quality outcomes will have relevant experience to share as the framework is shaped. The planned lot is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Future Residential, Nursing and Specialist Care Home Framework

Notice Description

Wirral Council is undertaking pre-market engagement to inform the development of a new Residential, Nursing and Specialist Care Home Framework. Through this engagement we are seeking feedback from care home providers, sector representatives and system partners to better understand current market conditions, future challenges and opportunities for collaboration. The Council remains committed to supporting people to live independently for as long as possible through preventative and community-based approaches. However, we recognise that care homes continue to play a vital role in supporting people whose needs can no longer be safely met within the community. As demand continues to increase and needs become more complex, the Council is keen to work with providers to develop a future framework that is sustainable, responsive to local needs and able to deliver high-quality outcomes for Wirral residents. Subject Matter Through this engagement, we are seeking feedback from care home providers, sector representatives and system partners to help shape the future framework. We are particularly keen to understand what is working well, where improvements can be made, and how the Council can work collaboratively with providers to develop a sustainable model for the future. The information gathered will help inform future commissioning intentions and framework design. Participation in this exercise does not form part of any procurement process and will not influence any future tender evaluation. As we develop the Framework, we want to understand: * What is currently working well within the care home market and placement process. * What challenges providers are experiencing. * Where there are gaps in provision, capacity or service delivery. * What opportunities exist for innovation and improvement. * What providers consider to be realistic expectations and timescales for admissions and placements. * How the Council can work more effectively with providers to create a sustainable and successful framework. Your feedback will help inform the design of the future Care Home Framework and ensure it reflects the realities of delivering care, supports residents to achieve the best possible outcomes, and creates a strong and sustainable care home market for Wirral. Thank you for taking the time to share your views and expertise.

Planning Information

Questionnaire to be completed on the Chest portal: https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/ Title- Future Residential, Nursing and Specialist Care Home Framework Project reference- DN832915 All questions to be raised via the Chest portal Closing date for responses 12 Noon on Thursday 28th October 2026 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-078995
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098005-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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
£632,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Jan 20273 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 1 Apr 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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)

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