---
title: "Soft Market Testing - Reg 44 Inspections"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05f422"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05f422"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f422.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f422.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "ST HELENS COUNCIL"
published: "2025-12-11"
---

# Soft Market Testing - Reg 44 Inspections

Buyer: ST HELENS COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05f422

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f422.json)

## Summary

St Helens Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Soft Market Testing - Reg 44 Inspections." This process falls under the services industry, specifically health and social work services, and is aimed at sourcing an Independent Regulation 44 Visitor Service. Located in St Helens, United Kingdom (UKD71), the council seeks to expand its Regulation 44 inspections from two to five children's homes, with a potential sixth home anticipated. Key procurement dates include a soft market testing deadline set for 23rd December 2025. The procurement is part of a light-touch regime and the contract period is expected to run from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029. Star Procurement is supporting as the procuring entity, and the main contact email for potential providers is procurement@star-procurement.gov.uk.

This tender represents a promising opportunity for businesses specialising in health and social work services, particularly those with expertise in regulatory inspections or services for children's homes. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), are encouraged to participate, given the suitability criteria laid out. With a contract value of £17,700, this tender offers a chance for businesses to engage with a governmental body and potentially expand service offerings to meet increasing demands within the region. Participation in the soft market testing phase could provide valuable insights into the procurement requirements and help businesses position themselves competitively for the upcoming tender.

## Notice

St Helens Council is undertaking soft market testing ahead of a forthcoming procurement for an Independent Regulation 44 Visitor Service. The Council currently commissions Regulation 44 inspections for two of its children's homes. However, due to recent service expansion, Regulation 44 inspections are now required for five children's homes, with a potential sixth home expected to open in the near future. Further expansion of provision is also possible during the lifetime of the contract.

### Planning Information

Providers will be asked to complete a Soft Market Testing Document

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082131-2025 |
| 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 | 11 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 23 Dec 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £17,700 |
| 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 | ST HELENS COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | STAR PROCUREMENT |
| Locality | ST HELENS |
| Post town | Warrington |
| Postcode | WA10 1HP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD34 Greater Manchester South West |
| Local authority | Trafford |
| Electoral ward | Sale Central |
| Westminster constituency | Wythenshawe and Sale East |
| Delivery location | TLD7 Merseyside |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 11 Dec 2025 at 15:33 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082131-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082131-2025
  11th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-05f422. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05f422.json.