---
title: "Request for Information for Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "THE NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL"
published: "2025-07-09"
---

# Request for Information for Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs)

Buyer: THE NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a

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## Summary

The North Yorkshire Council is initiating a procurement process under the planning stage for the provision of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs). The project, valued at £4,680,000, falls under the services category and aims to establish a framework to enhance foster placements across North Yorkshire. A market engagement notice has been published, with a due date for engagement set on 31st July 2025. The procurement process will take place under the Light Touch Regime, targeting a framework agreement. The contract is expected to run from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2031, with a possible extension to 2036. Interested parties will have an opportunity to respond to a future notice anticipated by 5th January 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in social work and related services, particularly those focused on fostering and child care. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) will find suitability in competing for a place on this framework, offering diverse solutions for independent fostering. Businesses that can deliver high-quality foster care support will be crucial in augmenting the council's in-house services, providing a reliable and nurturing environment for children and young people. This procurement process is an excellent opportunity for companies to diversify their service offerings and gain a stable, long-term partnership with a public authority while contributing positively to the community.

## Notice

North Yorkshire Council (the Authority) is requesting information from providers to help determine the scope and feasibility of its requirement, to understand the range of potential solutions available in the market, and to assist with drafting a potential future tender specification for the provision of Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs). The Authority is seeking to procure a framework, under Light Touch Regime, of high-quality Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to support the delivery of safe, stable and nurturing foster placements for children and young people across the county with the aim of ensuring that the Authority has access to a diverse and responsive pool of foster carers through external providers, complementing the Authority's in-house provision.

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=95620&B=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038656-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 5 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,680,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL |
| Locality | NORTHALLERTON |
| Post town | Darlington |
| Postcode | DL7 8AD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE2 North Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE22 North Yorkshire |
| Local authority | North Yorkshire |
| Electoral ward | Romanby |
| Westminster constituency | Richmond and Northallerton |
| Delivery location | TLE22 North Yorkshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85300000 - Social work and related services

## Release History

- 9 Jul 2025 at 14:00 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038656-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038656-2025
  9th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=95620&B=
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.northyorks.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-055c2a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055c2a.json.