---
title: "Open procedure"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-059f14"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-059f14"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059f14.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059f14.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-05"
---

# Open procedure

Buyer: SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-059f14

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## Summary

Swindon Borough Council, based in Swindon, UK, has recently concluded an 'Open procedure' procurement process leading to the awarding of a contract for Supported Lodgings Services, focusing on semi-independent accommodation and support. The procurement falls under the industry category of social services, specifically targeting social work services with accommodation, and aims to support young individuals aged 16 and over, including care leavers, separated and migrant children, and those at risk of homelessness. The contract, valued at approximately £947,232 gross, will commence on 1st June 2026 for an initial period of 36 months, with the option to extend for an additional 24 months. The tender process was conducted under the 'light touch' regime and has now advanced to the award stage as of 5th May 2026, with the standstill period ending on 15th May 2026. The awarded supplier is Step by Step Partnership LTD.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specializing in social services to engage in contracts that provide essential support to vulnerable youth. Companies with expertise in managing accommodation services and social support can leverage this opportunity to contribute positively to local communities while expanding their business footprint. The contract scope allows the awarded organisation to utilise and develop networks with local hosts, offering viable avenues for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises familiar with Ofsted regulations to tender for similar future procurements. The emphasis on multi-year agreements and potential extensions underscores the demand for dedicated, high-quality service provision, ensuring that involved businesses can expect stable, long-term planning and resource allocation.

## Notice

Swindon Borough Council invites prospective bidders from suitably qualified and experienced service providers to bid for the provision of Supported Lodgings Services: Semi-independent Accommodation and Support. Project Description Supported Lodgings is a provision for young people aged 16 and over, offering them the opportunity to live in the home of a host. This could be an individual, a couple or a family. It's a unique provision designed to help young people prepare for adulthood with the right balance of guidance and autonomy. It's often used for care leavers, separated and migrant children, or young people at risk of homelessness. As corporate parents, Swindon Borough Council is committed to providing sufficient, appropriate, high-quality accommodation and support for the children we care for (CWCF, 16-18) and care experienced young people (CEYP, 18-21). We also have a duty to provide accommodation and support to young people who are, or are at risk of, homelessness. The supplier will be responsible for recruiting, managing and funding hosts. This is then for the supplier to match referrals, place children and manage the placements alongside the hosts. The supplier shall also manage the hosts. The supplier must also be registered with Ofsted for this type of provision. Hosts are responsible for; offering the accommodation and support to the young person placed. The Supplier is to oversee and manage both the host and child placed. Please see the Specification for more information. The Council is seeking to award a single supplier, with a contract to provide Supported Lodgings, accommodation and support services, which will provide 9 standard beds and 2 emergency beds. This requirement will not be divided into 'Lots'. TUPE does apply to this contract. The initial contract term will be for 36 months with an option to extend for a further 24 months in 12-month increments (2 periods of 12 months) for a potential total contract term of 5 years as stated in the ITT documents. This notice indicates the start of the standstill period and potential award of contract

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend contract for 2 x 12 months in annual increments at the end of the initial term.

### Planning Information

Swindon Borough Council (SBC) is seeking input from the market for the provision of its Supported Lodgings, Semi-Independent Accommodation and Support Services.
This Preliminary Market Engagement exercise is to assist the Council in reviewing the current supply market and defining a high impact specification and contract for the services offered to our under 18 Children We Care For (CWCF) and 18+ Care Experienced Young People (CEYP). This is NOT a call for competition.
The intention is that Swindon Borough Council will appoint an organisation who will in turn recruit, train and support an appropriate number of hosts to deliver high quality accommodation and support services to the children and young people.
~ Most referrals will be for CWCF - who will join hosts pre-18, but some will be 18+ CEYP.
~ Most CWCF & CEYP will join hosts as part of a carefully planned process, but a small number of emergency beds will also be required.
~ Most CWCF & CEYP will have low-medium support needs, but there may be a need to discuss occasional more complex referrals.
~ Most CWCF & CEYP will require hosts in Swindon and its immediate surroundings, but there me be a need for hosts outside of this area.
SBC expects the appointed organisation to prepare for and deliver consistently high-quality services in all of the above circumstances.
Any contracts for services or supplies relating to this exercise may be subject to separate procurement processes in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. All participants in this event shall be responsible for their own costs (including third party costs) and the Contracting Authority shall have no liability to any participant.
Supported Lodgings Service (Semi-Independent Accommodation & Support)
The purpose of this questionnaire is to gain intelligence on the supply market for Swindon Borough Council’s requirements, including information that will help define the most appropriate structure, plan and budget for any potential competitive procurement exercise. The closing date for the return of the PME questionnaire/application to the event is Monday 6th October at 17:00.
For the avoidance of doubt, no information provided in response to this questionnaire will be used by the Council in assessing providers during any future procurement process.
Engagement Process Description
To participate in the Preliminary Market Engagement Suppliers will need to Register as a Supplier with ProContract, www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk, then Register an Interest before obtaining access to the Preliminary Market Engagement documents.
Responses to the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire are required to be submitted no later than 6th October 2025 at 17:00 hrs UK Local time via ProContract tender portal - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041017-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | 6 Oct 2025 |
| Award date | 4 May 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £730,158 |
| Lots value | £730,158 |
| Awards value | £789,360 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN1 2JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Eastcott |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon South |
| Delivery location | TLK14 Swindon |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | STEP BY STEP PARTNERSHIP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85311000 - Social work services with accommodation

## Release History

- 5 May 2026 at 12:36 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041017-2026
- 22 Jan 2026 at 17:12 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005972-2026
- 22 Jan 2026 at 13:12 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005752-2026
- 22 Dec 2025 at 12:24 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085361-2025
- 22 Sep 2025 at 12:46 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058503-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041017-2026
  5th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005972-2026
  22nd January 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005752-2026
  22nd January 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085361-2025
  22nd December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058503-2025
  22nd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.swindon.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.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-059f14. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-059f14.json.