---
title: "Framework and Services Agreement for the Provision of Agency Support for Cumberland Care"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "CUMBERLAND COUNCIL"
published: "2026-07-14"
---

# Framework and Services Agreement for the Provision of Agency Support for Cumberland Care

Buyer: CUMBERLAND COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4

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## Summary

Cumberland Council is currently inviting tenders for a Framework and Services Agreement aimed at securing agency staff support for its Cumberland Care services in Carlisle, UK. This procurement, classified under the categories of nursing and social work services, is in the tender stage, with submissions needing to be completed by 10th August 2026. The initiative addresses staffing shortfalls in adult social care services, with the framework set to commence on 1st November 2026 and run for an initial term until 30th April 2029, delineating a gross contract value of £5.7 million. Notably, this is a closed framework, meaning suppliers have a single opportunity to join. The procurement is being conducted through an open procedure, and stakeholders should direct any clarification questions via The Chest portal.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for organisations specialising in social care and nursing services to expand their market footprint within the public sector in the UK. Businesses well-suited for this contract include small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) with the capacity to provide qualified personnel across various care settings, such as residential homes, domiciliary care, and mental health support. The procurement encourages competition on both pricing and quality, with significant emphasis on social value, making it an appealing venture for companies looking to contribute positively to community welfare while growing their business relationships with government entities.

## Notice

Cumberland Council is procuring a closed Framework for the Provision of Agency Support for Cumberland Care. Cumberland Council is implementing this Framework to address staffing shortfalls in its in-house adult social care services "Cumberland Care". This procurement will establish a closed Framework Agreement. Suppliers must note that there will only be one opportunity to join the Framework. Once the Framework is awarded, no further suppliers will be admitted during its term. Cumberland Care Services include: * Residential care homes * Reablement and domiciliary care * Supported living * Day services * Extra care housing * Shared Lives schemes These services support adults aged 18 and over who require care due to physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health needs, or age-related conditions, including dementia. The framework will enable the Council to recruit the following roles, but is not limited to; * Support Workers * Senior Support Workers * Registered Nurses The Provider must maintain sufficient capacity to respond to planned and urgent cover and ensure 24/7/365 contact. At Framework commencement, the Provider will supply a single telephone number and single mailbox for all requests and escalations. The provider will deliver services across the Cumberland Council area. Services will be available throughout the year, including days, evenings, nights (also, staff may be required on a waking night and sleeping night basis), weekends and Bank Holidays, as required. Demand will be variable and depend on need. The council proposes to enter into the contract for an initial term of 30 months with the successful tenderer(s). There are no optional extensions available. If the contract runs for the initial term only it will end on 30th April 2029. The contract value for the initial term is PS4750000 excluding VAT. The contract value for the initial term, potential uplifts is PS4750000 excluding VAT. This figure is indicative only as the uplifts are not guaranteed. If the council implements uplift, this will be confirmed with the successful suppliers in advance.

### Planning Information

Cumberland Council is looking to engage with providers with capacity and the required skills to engage agency staff to maintain safe staffing levels, ensure continuity of care, and uphold regulatory obligations. Agency staffing provides flexibility to respond quickly to short-term gaps and helps safeguard the wellbeing of customers when internal resources cannot meet demand.
The session will be held via Teams. For further details and to access the joining information use our online procurement portal, The Chest https://www.the-chest.org.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066179-2026 |
| 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 | 14 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Future notice date | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Nov 2026 - 30 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,750,000 |
| Lots value | £4,750,000 |
| 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 | CUMBERLAND COUNCIL |
| Locality | CARLISLE |
| Post town | Carlisle |
| Postcode | CA1 1RD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria |
| ITL 3 | TLD13 Cumberland |
| Local authority | Cumberland |
| Electoral ward | Castle |
| Westminster constituency | Carlisle |
| Delivery location | TLD1 Cumbria |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 79624000 - Supply services of nursing personnel
- 85300000 - Social work and related services

## Release History

- 14 Jul 2026 at 12:27 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066179-2026
- 25 Mar 2026 at 13:09 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027320-2026
- 4 Mar 2026 at 10:48 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019357-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066179-2026
  14th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027320-2026
  25th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019357-2026
  4th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.the-chest.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-0661d4. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0661d4.json.