--- title: "AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "LUTON COUNCIL" published: "2026-03-13" --- # AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision Buyer: LUTON COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab.json) ## Summary Luton Council has initiated a tender for the provision of Independent Foster Agencies, working collaboratively with Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire Councils to expand the Approved Provider List (APL). This procurement falls under the category of social work services with accommodation and aims to deliver suitable foster care placements. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, with key deadlines set for 14th April 2026, marking the close of the tender period. The service is targeted in the regions of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and surrounding areas, including Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Cambridgeshire. This is part of an open procedure, managed under the Light Touch Regime of Public Contract Regulations 2015, with a focus on improving outcomes for children in care. This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in foster care services. Organizations that are Ofsted-registered as Good or Outstanding and can comply with the safeguarding guidance are invited to participate, making this an ideal opportunity for SMEs and VCSEs aiming to expand in social care services. The long-term contract period, commencing on 1st June 2026 and concluding by 31st March 2035, offers substantial prospects for revenue and regional service impact. Providers in related sectors who are capable of offering high-quality and timely foster placements will find this tender particularly beneficial for growth and strengthening alliances with local councils. ## Notice Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after. We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance. An Approved Provider List (APL) was commissioned in 2025 and this is a re-opening of the APL to allow further providers to join. This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30bf8244-bd1f-4682-88f3-2a92bb2645d6 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 14 Apr 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2035 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £118,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LUTON COUNCIL | | Locality | LUTON | | Post town | Luton | | Postcode | LU1 2BQ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH21 Luton | | Local authority | Luton | | Electoral ward | Central | | Westminster constituency | Luton South and South Bedfordshire | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation ## Release History - 13 Mar 2026 at 09:29 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30bf8244-bd1f-4682-88f3-2a92bb2645d6 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30bf8244-bd1f-4682-88f3-2a92bb2645d6 13th March 2026 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=3c52cbae-660b-f111-813c-005056b64545 Advert ## Notice URLs - http://www.luton.gov.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-6f11a9a7-f779-4016-823c-92d6f2b26bab.json.