---
title: "AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066924"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066924"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066924.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066924.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "LUTON COUNCIL"
published: "2026-06-23"
---

# AT1487 Independent Foster Agencies Provision

Buyer: LUTON COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066924

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066924)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066924.json)

## Summary

The procurement process led by Luton Council, in collaboration with Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council, and Hertfordshire County Council, focuses on the re-opening and expansion of the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies. Under the Light Touch Regime per the Public Contract Regulations 2015, this initiative aims to improve social work and related services across the geographic areas of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Cambridgeshire. The procurement, completed in June 2026, involves active contracts with Foster Care Link Limited and St Christopher's Fellowship, fostering social care services for children. The process employed an open procedure, ensuring a transparent and competitive environment for potential service providers. The procurement stage at which the contracts are is the Award stage, with contracts signed on 23 June 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses in the social care industry, particularly those specialising in fostering services. Being Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding creates a distinct advantage for companies aiming to participate. Businesses can leverage this procurement to connect with local authorities, expand their service reach, and contribute to better outcomes for children across multiple regions. The involvement of reputable parties like Luton Council underscores the potential for sustainable partnerships and long-term growth in the provision of quality foster care services. This tender is particularly suited for SMEs seeking to enhance their footprint by delivering specialised social care services within the UK framework.

## Notice

Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities). Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after. We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance. This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Luton Council are leading on the procurement on behalf of the four Local Authority Partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities). Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after. We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance. This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058751-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £118,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | LUTON COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL; CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL; HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | LUTON |
| Post town | Luton |
| Postcode | LU1 2BQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH21 Luton |
| Local authority | Luton |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Luton South and South Bedfordshire |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | FOSTER CARE LINK; ST CHRISTOPHER'S FELLOWSHIP |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85300000 - Social work and related services

## Release History

- 23 Jun 2026 at 07:56 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058751-2026
- 13 Mar 2026 at 09:03 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022666-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.luton.gov.uk
- https://procontract.due-north.com
- https://www.bedford.gov.uk/
- https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/
- https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/home.aspx

## 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-066924. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066924.json.