--- title: "Children's Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2024-08-20" --- # Children's Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb.json) ## Summary Essex County Council has issued an active tender for "Children’s Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach" focusing on social work and related services in the UKH3 region. The procurement is for registered provisions for children and young people under 18, transitioning from unregistered settings. The contract is divided into several lots, with each lot detailing specific needs of children requiring care. The procurement stage is tender, beginning on 20th August 2024, with submission deadlines on 5th September 2024. The procurement method is an open procedure, aiming to cover a contract period of 360 days, with options for two further 12-month extensions. Providers must operate within a 20-mile radius of Essex and adhere to Ofsted regulatory requirements, ensuring their rating as good or outstanding. This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in children's residential and fostering services to expand their service offerings and secure long-term contracts worth up to £8,736,000. Businesses with expertise in handling children with emotional, behavioural difficulties, neurodiversity, EHCP plans, or those who have experienced neglect, emotional abuse, or disrupted familial relationships will find this opportunity highly suitable. The Council’s flexible approach allows providers to utilise their specialised knowledge, making it ideal for businesses that can offer tailored, high-quality care. Companies focused on meeting high regulatory standards and eager to scale their operations are well-positioned to benefit from this procurement. ## Notice Essex County Council have an opportunity for providers within the children's residential and fostering space to enter into a block contract agreement, this will be for registered provision for children and young people under the age of 18, currently in unregistered settings. Providers must have provision or be able to demonstrate they will have, that is Ofsted registered and, either in Essex or within 20 miles from Essex County Council's geographic coverage / boundaries. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement. The Council will consider all registered children's home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person's care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people include those: With emotional and behavioural difficulties. With EHCP plans. With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children's homes. Who have been at risk of harm. Who have experienced neglect. Who have experienced emotional abuse. Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. Offending Sexualised behaviours Fire setting Absconding The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with: Physical disabilities. Severe Learning disabilities. Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. Clinical / nursing needs. Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. The provider is to operate within Children's homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children's home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children's residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Renewal: Two further 12 month extensions are available. Lot 2 The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement. The Council will consider all registered children's home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person's care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people include those: With emotional and behavioural difficulties. With EHCP plans. With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children's homes. Who have been at risk of harm. Who have experienced neglect. Who have experienced emotional abuse. Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. Offending Sexualised behaviours Fire setting Absconding The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with: Physical disabilities. Severe Learning disabilities. Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. Clinical / nursing needs. Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. The provider is to operate within Children's homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children's home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children's residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Renewal: Two further 12 month extensions are available. Lot 3 The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement. The Council will consider all registered children's home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person's care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people include those: With emotional and behavioural difficulties. With EHCP plans. With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children's homes. Who have been at risk of harm. Who have experienced neglect. Who have experienced emotional abuse. Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. Offending Sexualised behaviours Fire setting Absconding The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with: Physical disabilities. Severe Learning disabilities. Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. Clinical / nursing needs. Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. The provider is to operate within Children's homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children's home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children's residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Renewal: Two further 12 month extensions available. Lot 4 The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract. Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement. The Council will consider all registered children's home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person's care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes. The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs. Placements for children and young people include those: With emotional and behavioural difficulties. With EHCP plans. With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of placements in foster care or children's homes. Who have been at risk of harm. Who have experienced neglect. Who have experienced emotional abuse. Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity. Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to: Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts. Offending Sexualised behaviours Fire setting Absconding The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with: Physical disabilities. Severe Learning disabilities. Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment. Clinical / nursing needs. Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program. The provider is to operate within Children's homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children's home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding. This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children's residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff. The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. Renewal: Two further 12 month extensions available. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026521-2024 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 20 Aug 2024 | | Submission deadline | 5 Sep 2024 | | Future notice date | 20 Mar 2024 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £8,736,000 | | Lots value | £8,736,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | CHELMSFORD | | Post town | Chelmsford | | Postcode | CM1 1QH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex | | ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex | | Local authority | Chelmsford | | Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central | | Westminster constituency | Chelmsford | | Delivery location | TLH3 Essex | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85300000 - Social work and related services - 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation ## Release History - 20 Aug 2024 at 14:25 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026521-2024 - 13 Feb 2024 at 15:00 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004816-2024 ## Notice URLs - https://procontract.due-north.com/Login - https://www.essex.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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