--- title: "Independent Fostering Agencies" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2026-05-15" --- # Independent Fostering Agencies Buyer: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75.json) ## Summary Hampshire County Council has completed the procurement process for a framework agreement titled "Independent Fostering Agencies" aimed at supporting their looked after children. The framework, with a substantial value of £203,000,000, is set across the South East of England (region UKJ) and is tailored to provide a range of fostering arrangements such as Standard Foster Placements, Respite, and placements for children with complex behaviours or disabilities. Initiated through an open procedure with light touch procurement, this framework ensures flexibility to accommodate new fostering needs as they arise. It commenced on 9th January 2026 and will run until 7th January 2030, with a possibility of extension up to four years. This procurement presents significant opportunities for foster care agencies, particularly those with Ofsted ratings of Good or Outstanding. Businesses can expect to engage in a broad scope of services included in the framework, potentially allowing for growth through stable and extended contracts. Larger and SME fostering providers, capable of managing complex or challenging behaviours and health needs, will find ample scope to contribute effectively. The framework being open to extensions also means potential long-term collaboration, enhancing business portfolios and reinforcing placement opportunities in the Hampshire area. ## Notice Hampshire County Council's Children Services Directorate is seeking to commission a range of IFA (independent fostering agencies) to support our looked after children cohort. The new framework will as a minimum include fostering arrangements for; Standard Foster Placements including Respite Parent & Child Foster Placements Children with Complex/Challenging Behaviours Children with Disabilities/Complex Healthcare Needs Separated Children This list is not exhaustive and the framework will be flexible to capture additional fostering requirements that may emerge. The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term. The priority of any arrangements will be to secure Hampshire placements for Hampshire children and Young People to support with their education, training, contact, and in order to maintain other existing support networks such as friends and other family members. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Renewal: There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month, and a value ex VAT of PS 105,000,000 ### Planning Information Hampshire County Council would like to invite interested Independent Fostering Agencies to an online market engagement session to help inform the Council's future commissioning arrangements specifically regarding "Staying Put" The session will be 90 minutes. The session will take place at 13:30 on Tuesday the 5th August and be held via MS Teams. Following the event the Council will share a questionnaire with all suppliers attached to the project on intend to father their feedback. Suppliers wishing to attend should register (if not already registered) on the Council's e-tendering platform, In-tend (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/aspx/Home) and 'Express Interest' against the project 'CS26659 Independent Fostering Agencies'. Please then use the Correspondence function for the project and provide the name of attendees and their email addresses that invitations can be issued to. Suppliers wishing to attend need to confirm with the Council, via the correspondence function of In-tend, by 9:00 on Friday 1st August 2025. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044717-2026 | | Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 24 Nov 2025 | | Future notice date | 20 Oct 2025 | | Award date | 4 Dec 2025 | | Contract period | 9 Jan 2026 - 7 Jan 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £203,000,000 | | Lots value | £203,000,000 | | Awards value | £203,000,000 | | Contracts value | £203,000,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | WINCHESTER | | Post town | Southampton | | Postcode | SO23 8UJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire | | Local authority | Winchester | | Electoral ward | St Michael | | Westminster constituency | Winchester | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England), TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 21 | | Supplier names | ACTION FOR CHILDREN; BANYA FAMILY PLACEMENT AGENCY; BLUE SKY FOSTERING; BRIGHTER FUTURES FOSTER CARE; CAPSTONE FOSTER CARE (SOUTH WEST; CHILDREN'S FAMILY TRUST(THE; COMPASS FOSTERING SOUTH; FAIR WAYS COMMUNITY BENEFIT SOCIETY; FAMILY FIRST FOSTERING; FAMILY PLACEMENT.COM; FIVE RIVERS CHILD CARE; FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES; FOSTERING SOLUTIONS; FUSION FOSTERING; INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMME; LIBERTY FOSTER CARE; LOTUS FOSTER CARE; ORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE; SUNBEAM FOSTERING AGENCY; THE ADOLESCENT & CHILDREN'S TRUST; THE NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 15 May 2026 at 05:17 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044717-2026 - 15 May 2026 at 05:15 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044716-2026 - 15 May 2026 at 05:13 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044715-2026 - 14 May 2026 at 15:10 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044532-2026 - 14 May 2026 at 15:04 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044520-2026 - 14 May 2026 at 14:56 - AwardUpdate - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044512-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:58 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039557-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:51 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039555-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:45 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039554-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:38 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039552-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:30 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039551-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:20 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039549-2026 - 29 Apr 2026 at 20:08 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039548-2026 - 23 Apr 2026 at 15:25 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037263-2026 - 11 Mar 2026 at 07:13 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021583-2026 - 11 Mar 2026 at 07:06 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021582-2026 - 11 Mar 2026 at 06:58 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021581-2026 - 10 Mar 2026 at 21:14 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021575-2026 - 10 Mar 2026 at 20:53 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021570-2026 - 10 Mar 2026 at 20:42 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021569-2026 - 10 Mar 2026 at 20:31 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021567-2026 - 6 Mar 2026 at 11:46 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020310-2026 - 17 Dec 2025 at 16:29 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084037-2025 - 20 Oct 2025 at 10:29 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066636-2025 - 30 Jul 2025 at 08:34 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044086-2025 - 21 Jul 2025 at 08:44 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041493-2025 - 8 Apr 2025 at 07:58 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013528-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044717-2026 15th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044716-2026 15th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044715-2026 15th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044532-2026 14th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044520-2026 14th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044512-2026 14th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039557-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039555-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039554-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039552-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039551-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039549-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/039548-2026 29th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037263-2026 23rd April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021583-2026 11th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021582-2026 11th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021581-2026 11th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021575-2026 10th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021570-2026 10th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021569-2026 10th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021567-2026 10th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020310-2026 6th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084037-2025 17th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066636-2025 20th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044086-2025 30th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041493-2025 21st July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013528-2025 8th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-12939 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13123 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13124 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13125 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13127 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13128 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13129 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-13130 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15430 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15439 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15440 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15441 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15442 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15443 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15444 ## Notice URLs - http://www.Familyplacement.com - http://www.actionforchildren.org.uk - http://www.brighterfuturesfostercare.co.uk/ - http://www.capstonefostercare.co.uk - http://www.five-rivers.org - http://www.libertyfostercare.co.uk - http://www.lotusfostercare.co.uk - http://www.nfa.co.uk - http://www.orangegrovefostercare.co.uk - http://www.sunbeamfostering.com - http://www.thefca.co.uk - https://familyfirstfostering.com/ - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/aspx/Home - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/aspx/home - https://ispfostering.org.uk/ - https://thecft.org.uk/ - https://www.compassfostering.com/ - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regional-care-co-operatives-pathfinder-areas/regional-care-cooperatives-rccs-pathfinder-regions - https://www.hants.gov.uk/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.nfa.co.uk/fostering-solutions/ ## 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-04fe75. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75.json.