--- title: "Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) (PIN Notice)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04363e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04363e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04363e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04363e.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL" published: "2024-02-01" --- # Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) (PIN Notice) Buyer: BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04363e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04363e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04363e.json) ## Summary The Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, and Luton Council are jointly planning to recommission the Approved Provider List for Independent Fostering Agencies in 2045/25. Interested agencies will have the opportunity to provide homes for looked after children in the area. The procurement process is currently at the planning stage, with applications expected in Autumn 2024. An upcoming Provider Engagement Event is scheduled for Tuesday 19th March, offering a chance for interested providers to learn more and engage with the councils for feedback. This tender for Independent Fostering Agencies presents a valuable growth opportunity for agencies in the welfare services sector, particularly those focused on children and young people. Businesses offering fostering services or related support may find this tender well-suited to their expertise. The procurement process includes a consultation phase with internal stakeholders and agencies, providing potential bidders with the opportunity to align their offerings with the councils' needs and specifications. The future notice date for this procurement is set for September 30th, indicating the timeline for further steps in this contracting process. ## Notice Independent Fostering Agency - Approved Provider List Opportunity Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Luton Council as strategic partners, will be opening up an opportunity for IFA's to join their Approved Provider List (APL) when this is recommissioned in 2045/25 and be part of a committed and trusted suite of providers that offer homes to our looked after children. We are looking to invite applications in Autumn of 2024 and are currently in the process of consulting internal stakeholders, agencies and children on a remodelled specification. We would like to invite interested providers to a virtual Provider Engagement Event on Tuesday 19th March at 2pm - 3pm. Agenda * Needs across the area * Sharing of the draft specification for comment or feedback * Opportunity for providers to give their views, feedback and to ask questions around joining an Approved Provider List Please contact Shelley Cummings at shelley.cummings@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to confirm your attendance or with any queries. An MS Teams link will be forwarded to all those who confirm attendance. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Independent Fostering Agency - Approved Provider List Opportunity Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Luton Council as strategic partners, will be opening up an opportunity for IFA's to join their Approved Provider List (APL) when this is recommissioned in 2045/25 and be part of a committed and trusted suite of providers that offer homes to our looked after children. We are looking to invite applications in Autumn of 2024 and are currently in the process of consulting internal stakeholders, agencies and children on a remodelled specification. We would like to invite interested providers to a virtual Provider Engagement Event on Tuesday 19th March at 2pm - 3pm. Agenda * Needs across the area * Sharing of the draft specification for comment or feedback * Opportunity for providers to give their views, feedback and to ask questions around joining an Approved Provider List Please contact Shelley Cummings at shelley.cummings@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to confirm your attendance or with any queries. An MS Teams link will be forwarded to all those who confirm attendance. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003315-2024 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 1 Feb 2024 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 29 Sep 2024 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL | | Locality | BEDFORD | | Post town | Milton Keynes | | Postcode | MK42 9AP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH24 Bedford | | Local authority | Bedford | | Electoral ward | Cauldwell | | Westminster constituency | Bedford | | Delivery location | TLH24 Bedford | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people ## Release History - 1 Feb 2024 at 10:41 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003315-2024 ## Notice URLs - http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk - https://www.bedford.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-h6vhtk-04363e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04363e.json.