---
title: "Supported Living Support Services for People with Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Needs Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-12"
---

# Supported Living Support Services for People with Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Needs Framework

Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1

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## Summary

Durham County Council is seeking providers to participate in a tender process for a framework titled "Supported Living Support Services for People with Learning Disabilities or Mental Health Needs." This procurement, which falls under the health and social work services category, is divided into four lots covering various care needs, including Learning Disability Standard Care, Learning Disability Enhanced Care, Mental Health Standard Care, and Mental Health Enhanced Care. Providers can bid for all four lots, with the opportunity to be awarded contracts that begin on 13th July 2026 and could extend to 31st March 2035. The procurement method is open with electronic submission allowed, and the framework operates on a flexible basis, allowing changes based on evolving service needs. The tender period closes on 11th June 2026, and awards are expected by 6th July 2026.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for businesses, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, with experience in health and social support services to secure long-term contracts. The framework is designed to accommodate various business sizes and encourages a competitive bidding environment, providing providers with the flexibility to adjust offerings to meet local service demands. Eligible businesses would be those capable of delivering specialised care and comprehensive support services, fostering collaborations with other agencies to enhance service delivery. The wide scope of this framework supports entry from organisations focused on community-based solutions that can adapt to changing requirements, providing an excellent platform for strategic growth and expanded service reach in the healthcare domain.

## Notice

Durham County Council (the Council) has a duty to provide services for vulnerable residents who are eligible for care and support according to the national criteria introduced by the Care Act 2014. The Council is seeking multiple providers that can provide the below named services. This is a flexible Framework where bidders may bid at any time. However, at the sole discretion of the Council, it may close the Framework should the Council deem they have sufficient providers to meet demand. The Council has the discretion to both open and close selected Lots and not all Lots should it choose to. The opportunity is divided into four Lots as detailed below: Lot 1: Learning Disability Standard Care Lot 2: Learning Disability Enhanced Care Lot 3: Mental Health Standard Care Lot 4: Mental Health Enhanced Care Bidders can bid for up to and including all 4 Lots and be awarded a Contract for up to and including all 4 Lots. Further details of the requirements are set out in the tender documents, which can be accessed free of charge, at www.open-uk.org using reference OPEN2026294. The Framework does not include any guarantee of any minimum volume of services, or any minimum expenditure. Furthermore, appointment under the Framework does not constitute a commitment by the Council, or any other contracting authority to the exclusive use of the Framework or an individual supplier for such requirements. Permitted modifications - The Council anticipates that changes may be required to reflect evolving service needs and external drivers. These may include (without limitation): -changes to the nature, scope, model or volume of Supported Living Services; -shifts in local and national health, care and wellbeing priorities; -changes in service user needs, complexity and demand; -amendments to statutory duties, regulatory requirements, inspection regimes or best practice guidance.

### Lot Information

Learning Disability Standard Care

Services for people with Learning Disabilities, including those with physical disabilities or associated health needs. This can include those with health conditions ranging from diabetes and epilepsy to profound and multiple Learning Disabilities and will require Providers to be experienced in multi-agency working with health professionals to deliver care plans, use of specialist equipment and moving and handling. This may include supporting people with behavioural needs on occasions, which may or may not require additional support from specialist services in relation to their Learning Disability, forensic care needs, personality disorder or Autism. Providers will be expected to embed Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) and pro-active support strategies into care delivery.

Renewal: 2 x 24 month extension periods are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

Learning Disability Enhanced Care

Services for people with a Learning Disability that also present with regular or frequent behaviours that challenge and have complex needs. In addition to the requirements within Lot 1, depending on the needs of the client, Providers will demonstrate skills and competencies which may include specific experience and skill level in relation to Autism, mental health/personality disorder and/or forensic care needs that present with high risks and significant behaviours that challenge. Providers will embed Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) and pro-active support strategies into care delivery as well as reactive physical interventions as needed by appropriately trained staff. This service requires Providers to be able to work collaboratively with a range of agencies to comply with the Home Office and/or other statutory restrictions and would typically include involvement in multi-agency partnerships which may include the Police and community-based forensic support teams (NHS).

Renewal: 2 x 24 month extension periods are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

Mental Health Standard Care

Services for people with Mental Health needs. Providers will demonstrate relevant experience of providing support to people with Mental Health issues and will have a range of policies and procedures to address issues including communication, decision making within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and safeguarding. They will also demonstrate an understanding of both common Mental Health disorders such as depression and anxiety and severe mental illness typically involving psychosis e.g. schizophrenia or bipolar and interventions and approaches that can be used when working alongside service users to help them develop and maintain independence. Providers need to be experienced in multi-agency working with health and other professionals to deliver care plans. This may include supporting people with behavioural needs on occasions, which may or may not require additional support from specialist services.

Renewal: 2 x 24 month extension periods are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

Mental Health Enhanced Care

Services for people with Complex Mental Health needs that also present with regular or frequent behaviours that challenge. In addition to the requirements within Lot 1, depending on the needs of the service user, Providers will be expected to demonstrate skills and competencies which may include specific experience in relation to Autism, personality disorder, forensic care needs, substance misuse issues and behaviours that challenge on a regular or frequent basis. Providers will need to be experienced in delivering services to people with a high level of mental health needs who might otherwise be in hospital or residential care. This may include specific approaches for young people with multiple intertwined complex issues and challenges e.g. trauma, substance misuse, self-harm, neurodevelopmental disorders, homelessness, offending and poor education stemming from adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like abuse, neglect, poverty or discrimination, requiring coordinated holistic care in partnership with other services. Providers will need to demonstrate positive, evidence based, person-centred approaches to minimise harmful behaviours and ensure safety for both individuals and staff, while helping them prepare for adulthood and develop life skills/independence This service requires Providers to be able to work collaboratively with a range of agencies to comply with the Home Office and/or other statutory restrictions and would typically include involvement in multi-agency partnerships which may include the Police and community-based forensic support teams (NHS).

Renewal: 2 x 24 month extension periods are available subject to performance, funding and commissioner approval.

### Planning Information

Market engagement questionnaire for completion and return by Providers which can be accessed at www.open-uk.org under the title Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for the re-procurement of Community Based Services for people with a learning disability, mental health needs, and/or autism.
In addition , two support sessions, on Teams, in early November designed to remove barriers for SMEs, support users in the use of OPEN, CDP and the inclusion of social value in DCC procurements. Further detail can be found within the PME documents published on the OPEN portal.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043644-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Jun 2026 |
| Future notice date | 17 Oct 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 12 Jul 2026 - 31 Mar 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £289,219,320 |
| Lots value | £289,219,320 |
| 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 | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 5WB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Framwellgate and Newton Hall |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | TLC14 Durham |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 12 May 2026 at 16:08 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043644-2026
- 4 Feb 2026 at 09:46 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009782-2026
- 2 Oct 2025 at 12:41 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061719-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043644-2026
  12th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009782-2026
  4th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061719-2025
  2nd October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.durham.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05a6d1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05a6d1.json.