--- title: "Knowsley Short Break Services for Children with Disabilities" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "KNOWSLEY COUNCIL" published: "2026-05-26" --- # Knowsley Short Break Services for Children with Disabilities Buyer: KNOWSLEY COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7.json) ## Summary Knowsley Council seeks to procure services to provide short break services for children with disabilities, as mandated by the Children Act 1989 and the Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011. The tender process is currently in the active stage, with the submission deadline set for 23rd June 2026 at 12:00 PM. The total contract value is estimated to be £2,544,000 (gross value £3,052,800) and focuses on health and social work services within the UKD7 region of the United Kingdom. The procurement is classified under the "services" category, employing an open procedure method, allowing a broad participation for interested parties. Potential suppliers must adhere to the light touch regime. The service provision is expected to commence on 2nd November 2026, ending on 1st November 2030, with possible extensions for up to two additional years. This tender presents significant opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs specialising in health and social work services, particularly those with expertise in providing community, physical development, or centre-based activities tailored to children and young people with disabilities. With Knowsley Council prioritising quality, businesses capable of delivering structured, engaging environments that support development and independence would be well-suited. The emphasis on inclusive, community-integrated activities that promote social interaction and personal growth highlights a demand for providers that can offer innovative, supportive, and enjoyable programmes. This opens avenues for businesses to expand within public sector contracts while contributing to crucial social outcomes. ## Notice To procure a Service or Services that will ensure the Local Authority meets its Statutory Duty under the Children Act 1989 and the Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011 to provide a range of short break services. ### Lot Information Centre Based Activities The Centre Based Short Breaks Activity Group provides structured, inclusive and stimulating sessions for children and young people with disabilities in a safe, accessible community setting. The service offers planned weekend term time sessions and extended school holiday sessions, delivering a mix of play, creative, sensory and social development activities tailored to individual needs. Provision is delivered by trained staff working to a 4:1 ratio, ensuring high quality support, personal care where required, and positive engagement. Activities are designed to promote independence, confidence, peer relationships and physical wellbeing, while offering families essential respite. Each session includes a combination of free play, group activities, communication focused interaction and calm/sensory time, adapted for both age groups (5-10 and 11-15). Activities will be planned and developed based on young people feedback and may include: * arts and crafts, * music, * animal care, * cooking, * sensory groups Staff will ensure a nurturing, child centred environment that supports emotional regulation, safety, and meaningful participation. The service aims to enhance outcomes for children and young people while providing families with reliable, high quality short break support. Renewal: Upon successful delivery of services and Commissioners satisfied with providers performance, To maintain continuity of service will consider utilising 2 x 12 month extension. Physical Development Based Activities The Physical Development Short Breaks Activity Group provides structured, inclusive and engaging physical activity sessions for children and young people with disabilities, delivered within safe community settings. The service offers a combination of land based sports, movement activities and supervised swimming, tailored to individual needs, abilities and confidence levels. Sessions promote physical health, coordination, water safety skills, social interaction and emotional wellbeing, while delivering meaningful and enjoyable short breaks. Activities will be planned and developed based on young people feedback, but must include swimming sessions, and may also include non-traditional activities, for example: * drama, * dance, * yoga/pilates * gymnastics Each group operates with a 4:1 staffing ratio and supports up to 12 children, ensuring appropriate supervision, personalised encouragement and safe participation, including for those requiring additional reassurance in and around water. Qualified staff and swim competent workers lead activities, adapting them for both age groups (5-10 and 11-15) to support skill development, confidence building and positive peer experiences. The service aims to provide children and young people with enriching, active short breaks and to offer families reliable respite through consistent, high quality, physical development focused provision. Renewal: Upon successful delivery of services and Commissioners satisfied with providers performance, To maintain continuity of service will consider utilising 2 x 12 month extension. Community Based Activities The Community Based Short Breaks Activity Group provides inclusive, stimulating and locally accessible sessions for children and young people with disabilities within a variety of community venues such as libraries, youth centres, parks and cultural spaces. The service offers planned weekly weekday sessions, delivering a mix of creative, social, recreational and life skills focused activities tailored to individual needs and interests. A core principle of the provision is to enable children and young people with disabilities to enjoy the same kinds of activities and experiences as their non-disabled peers, supporting equality of opportunity, social inclusion and a sense of belonging within their communities. This includes participation in activities such as trips to local parks, cinemas and community events, as well as opportunities to socialise with peers in informal, youth-led settings. Provision is delivered by trained staff working to a 3:1 ratio, ensuring safety, personalised support and meaningful engagement for up to 6 children per group, aged 15-19. Activities promote independence, communication, confidence, social interaction and community inclusion, enabling children and young people to access enjoyable experiences outside the home while offering families high quality, reliable respite. Renewal: Upon successful delivery of services and Commissioners satisfied with providers performance, To maintain continuity of service will consider utilising 2 x 12 month extension. ### Planning Information Please refer to advert on The Chest Portal DN805564 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049252-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | 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 | 26 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 23 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 30 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £2,544,000 | | Lots value | £2,544,000 | | 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 | KNOWSLEY COUNCIL | | Locality | HUYTON | | Post town | Liverpool | | Postcode | L36 9YU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside | | ITL 3 | TLD71 East Merseyside | | Local authority | Knowsley | | Electoral ward | Roby | | Westminster constituency | Knowsley | | Delivery location | TLD7 Merseyside | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services - 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services ## Release History - 26 May 2026 at 17:01 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049252-2026 - 4 Feb 2026 at 13:30 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009989-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049252-2026 26th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009989-2026 4th February 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.the-chest.org.uk/ DN805564 Short Breaks Services for children with disabilities ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.the-chest.org.uk/DN:805564ShortBreaksServicesforchildrenwithdisabilities ## 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-0646f7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0646f7.json.