---
title: "To manage the Adoption Support Fund (ASF)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-20f992cd-c81b-4a57-9f0c-4255050535e0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-20f992cd-c81b-4a57-9f0c-4255050535e0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-20f992cd-c81b-4a57-9f0c-4255050535e0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-20f992cd-c81b-4a57-9f0c-4255050535e0.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION"
published: "2018-03-19"
---

# To manage the Adoption Support Fund (ASF)

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-20f992cd-c81b-4a57-9f0c-4255050535e0

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## Summary

The public procurement process initiated by the Department for Education involves the management of the Adoption Support Fund (ASF). This fund, aimed at improving outcomes for adoptive families, is classified under the financial and insurance services industry. The award of this contract, valued at £4,798,668, was formalised on 21 December 2017. The contractual relationship began on 6 February 2018 and will continue until 31 March 2020. The procurement method utilised was an open procedure, and the location for service delivery includes various jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Channel Islands.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses focusing on therapeutic support services aimed at adoptees and their families. Companies that specialise in psychological, counselling, or support services—particularly those with a track record of working with vulnerable children or families—would be well-positioned to compete for this funding. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary and community sector enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, as they may offer innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs identified by local authorities.

## Notice

The Adoption Support Fund (ASF) was introduced in May 2015 to enable adoptive families to have access to specialist therapeutic support services when they need them so as to improve outcomes for young people and families. In April 2016, the scope of the Fund was extended to children who were previously in care immediately prior to being cared for under a Special Guardianship Order (SGO) and children living in England who were adopted from countries other than England. Adoption support services play a vital role in supporting families to meet the needs of their adoptive children. Over 70% of children adopted enter care due to abuse or neglect. Many adopted children have specific needs or disabilities, which require additional support. While recent research has shown that only around 3% of adoptions disrupt, a quarter of parents report major challenges, and a further third describe life as generally good with some challenge. The Adoption and Children Act (2002) places a duty on local authorities to maintain an appropriate service for adoption support. The Adoption Support Services Regulations (2005) require authorities to assess adoption support needs when requested by an adoptive child, their parents, natural parents and former guardians. The provision of support to meet these needs is at the discretion of the local authority, taking into account the individual case and local resources. Despite the increase in funding to local authorities through the ASF, we are aware that there still remain challenges around adoption support services e.g. parental awareness of entitlement to an assessment of their adoption support needs; the timeliness and quality of adoption support assessments; an underdeveloped evidence base on the effectiveness of specialist therapeutic interventions and availability and quality of services across the country. To access the ASF, the responsible local authority must have conducted an assessment of the adoptive/eligible special guardian family's support needs. If the assessment identifies that therapeutic services would be beneficial to the family, the local authority, in discussion with the family, can apply to the ASF on the family's behalf.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c89fc3de-6559-4bc9-b626-2e964c3a24bf |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Mar 2018 |
| Submission deadline | 4 Dec 2017 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Dec 2017 |
| Contract period | 6 Feb 2018 - 31 Mar 2020 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,798,668 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £4,798,668 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION |
| Locality | SHEFFIELD, |
| Post town | Sheffield |
| Postcode | S1 2FJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield |
| Local authority | Sheffield |
| Electoral ward | City |
| Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | MOTT MACDONALD |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services

### Codes

- 66000000 - Financial and insurance services

## Release History

- 19 Mar 2018 at 09:49 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c89fc3de-6559-4bc9-b626-2e964c3a24bf

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c89fc3de-6559-4bc9-b626-2e964c3a24bf
  19th March 2018 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/375402ff-a0e1-4f02-a4c1-b77a0789e131
  Contract
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/42ab89ba-9455-4cb5-9438-f7976affecb3
  Contract Annex 1

## Provenance

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