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Short Breaks, Community Clubs and Activities (SBCCA)

Essex County Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Oct 2026 at 15:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council intends to procure Short Breaks Community Clubs and Activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The service is designed to give parents and carers a break from additional caring responsibilities, while providing children and young people with opportunities to develop, learn, socialise and interact with peers. This is a community and social support service, covering Essex. The council is planning provision to follow the current contracts, and is inviting both existing providers and other interested organisations to take part in provider engagement. The work is intended to meet the needs and preferences families have shared through engagement, including visits to current services, SEND roadshows, support groups and online sessions.

The procurement is at planning stage: Essex County Council has set out its intention to procure, but has not invited tenders. The council expects future provision to start in April 2028; the planned contract period is recorded from January 2028 to January 2033. The procurement is expected to be above the relevant threshold and to use a framework agreement. It is planned as a single lot. A provider engagement session is scheduled for 30 November at County Hall in Chelmsford, with booking expected by 26 November. The session is intended to share the findings from family engagement and connect providers. No tender submission deadline or estimated contract value is provided at this planning stage.

This service is likely to suit organisations experienced in providing community-based support and activities for children and young people with SEND, and in working sensitively with families and carers. Providers should be able to offer activities that support development, learning, social interaction and relationships with peers, while giving carers a meaningful break. The council has already gathered family feedback and says it will share its findings with providers, so organisations able to shape provision around the priorities of children, young people and families will be relevant participants in the planning. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable. The provider engagement is an opportunity to understand the emerging service requirements and contribute before the council takes the procurement to tender.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Short Breaks, Community Clubs and Activities (SBCCA)

Notice Description

Short Breaks Community Clubs and Activities (SBCCA) offer parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) a break from their additional caring responsibilities, while ensuring children and young people have the opportunities develop, learn, socialise and interact with their peers.

Planning Information

Date: Monday 30th November, 13:00 to 16:00 Location: County Hall, Chelmsford, E4 Event Space (arrivals from 12:45. Please meet commissioners in reception) As you may be aware, the current Short Breaks Community Clubs and Activities (SBCCA) contracts are due to end in March 2028. Essex County Council is beginning to plan for future Short Breaks Community Clubs and Activities provision from April 2028. Commissioners in the Short Breaks team have undertaken extensive engagement with parent carers and young people through a range of activities, including visits to current provision, SEND Roadshows and parent carer support groups and hosting online engagement sessions. We have received valuable feedback on what is important to families and what they would like to see in future provision. Essex County Council will be hosting an in-person provider engagement session, open to both current providers and organisations interested in working with Essex County Council to deliver future Short Breaks Community Clubs and Activities provision. This session will provide an opportunity to hear the findings from our family engagement and connect with other providers. The session will take place on Monday 30th November, from 13:00 to 16:00, in the E4 Event Space at County Hall, Chelmsford. This is located on the fourth floor and can be accessed via lift. Commissioners will be available in reception from 12:45 to welcome attendees and direct them to the event space. Please note, refreshments will be available but lunch will not be provided. If you would like to attend, please book via this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/i0LL9TcDBm by 9:00am on Thursday 26th November. Please note, spaces are limited to two per provider and please ensure each person books a space separately. If you are no longer able to attend after registering, please email shortbreaks@essex.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078c0f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/099101-2026
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

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2028 - 1 Jan 2033 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
Essex 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
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Postcode Area
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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