---
title: "Soft Market Test for Shared Lives Carer Referral Programme"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-10-16"
---

# Soft Market Test for Shared Lives Carer Referral Programme

Buyer: SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0.json)

## Summary

Sheffield City Council is inviting interest for a "Soft Market Test for Shared Lives Carer Referral Programme," within the health and social work services industry. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with a key milestone of market engagement scheduled by 7th November 2025. The contracting authority, located in Sheffield, United Kingdom, aims to understand the supply capabilities for services that identify and refer suitable Shared Lives Carers. The initiative is classified as a light-touch procurement process, with a future notice date set for 2nd February 2026. Interested parties should note the contract is set to begin on 1st April 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs, due to its suitability requirements that favour these organisations. Service providers proficient in delivering health services will be well-placed to compete for this contract. The soft market test explores innovative approaches to referral programmes, allowing businesses to contribute and expand their footprint in public sector service provisions. Capitalising on this opportunity could enhance service offerings and expand market reach, aligning with Sheffield City Council's commitment to fostering local involvement in community-focused initiatives.

## Notice

Sheffield City Council is conducting this soft market test to understand the supply market for the provision of a service that identifies and refers suitable Shared Lives Carers to the Local Authority Shared Lives Scheme.

### Planning Information

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99080&B=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065836-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| 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 | 16 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 2 Feb 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £162,000 |
| 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 | SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL |
| Locality | SHEFFIELD |
| Post town | Sheffield |
| Postcode | S1 2HH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield |
| Local authority | Sheffield |
| Electoral ward | City |
| Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85100000 - Health services

## Release History

- 16 Oct 2025 at 10:00 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065836-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065836-2025
  16th October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://sheffield.gov.uk
- https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=99080&B=
- 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-05cdd0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cdd0.json.